Newsletter - Turkey Tussle 2022

Pasadena High School Alumni Association

Notes from Father Brad Karelius

Synergy. The interaction or cooperation of two or more agents to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects.

Many of us who graduated from Pasadena High School have shared a close bond with our classmates. We may have attended the same elementary school and junior high, leading to our years together at PHS. Class reunions have been active this year, especially for those classes held back from gatherings during COVID. Our identity as alums has been the year of our graduation.

As the PHS Alumni Association begins to build renewed momentum, we want to create a deeper identity for alums: fostering interconnections between all the graduating classes. This involves a focus on building communication between the classes.

We do experience a synergy of alums every year as we gather in the Rose Bowl for the Turkey Tussle Game between PHS and John Muir High School. You can feel the energy of our common passion for our school, particularly as we participate in the deep traditions of this crosstown rivalry in America’s most famous and historic football stadium.

The first steps of your participation in the synergy of PHS Alums is to join the Alumni Association. We all have had different high school experiences and each one of us can remember a teacher or activity that was a highlight of our PHS experience. Grateful for those students, teachers and activities you enjoyed, consider joining the PHS Alumni Association. It all begins at www.phsalumni.org.

You can join/renew your alumni membership on our new website: www.phsalumni.org

You can also mail your donation to this address Pasadena High School Alumni Association (PHSAA) 530 S. Lake Ave, #961 Pasadena, CA 91101 (626) 767-2925 phsaa@yahoo.com

Father Brad Karelius

Class of 1963

Turkey Tussle Tickets

Pasadena High School and John Muir High School Early College Magnet would like to invite you to the 75th Annual Turkey Tussle at the Rose Bowl on Wednesday, October 26th at 7:00 pm. Tickets are available using the links below. Please note that the Rose Bowl is a cashless venue and their clear bag policy will be enforced. The Rose Bowl clear bag policy and other game day policies can be found here.

To purchase tickets as a PHS fan go to PUSD.US/PHSGOFAN as a John Muir fan go to PUSD.US/MUIRGOFAN

May the best team win!

Turkey Tussle Tailgate

Join the Alumni Association on Wednesday, October 26th at The Rose Bowl before the Turkey Tussle for the Tailgate activities which begin at 4:30 pm in LOT B. The price to park is $10 per vehicle, proceeds help current PHS students (please bring cash for parking).

This information will be posted on the PHSAA website and on our Facebook page. The Turkey Tussle begins at 7:00 pm at The Rose Bowl. Please remember only clear handbags or a small clutch purse will be allowed inside the football game at the Rose Bowl. If you have any questions regarding the Turkey Tussle please email Thomas Holmes holmes.thomas@pusd.us

History of the Turkey Tussle

The Turkey Tussle is the annual homecoming tradition between Pasadena High School and cross town rival John Muir High School. This tradition began in 1947 when the game was played between Pasadena Community College and John Muir Junior College. These two schools played until 1953. In 1954 the annual rivalry was played between what is now Pasadena High School and John Muir High School.

Possession of the Victory Bell is the prize for the winning school. The Victory Bell a long-standing tradition between Pasadena High School and John Muir High School came as a gift from the Santa Fe Railroad presented in 1955 at the pep rally for the Turkey Tussle. The student body at PHS, which then shared the same campus with PCC, though the two were not affiliated, wanted to start many traditions which would last through the years. When it came time for the Turkey Tussle, they talked of having a bell.

Scott Fitzwater, Student Body President at that time and Jim Shelton, then Senior Class Vice-President, were instrumental in gaining the bell. Jim Shelton told his father, Raymond Shelton, of their idea and Raymond Shelton, General Manager for Santa Fe in Los Angeles at the time, was able to get the bell for PHS. The bell formerly rang from the top of an old steam locomotive and to Mr. Shelton's knowledge is the only one ever given to a school.

The bell was intended to be used, as it still is, as a perpetual trophy to rotate between John Muir High School and Pasadena High School, being kept for the year by the team that wins the homecoming game.

One of the highlights for the winning team is to rush to the end zone, celebrating their win by ringing the Victory Bell. In June 2005, the John Muir High School campus was burglarized and the Victory Bell was stolen. On February 7, 2006 the Victory Bell was found near a road in the Angeles National Forest.

In November 2007, a documentary about the Turkey Tussle was produced and featured on Fox Sports West cable channel. Although it didn't tell the entire story of the Turkey Tussle, it did showcase the cross town battle that has been going on for 60 years between Pasadena High School and John Muir High School.

Turkey Tussle Record

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Purchase your Bulldog Pass

Attention Alumni! Pasadena High School is proud to announce the Bulldog Pass! With a donation of $80, you get FREE admission to all* Basketball and Football home games, including the Turkey Tussle! In addition, you will get a FREE bleacher cushion to keep you comfy during all our amazing games. Visit pusd.us/phsstore for more information and to purchase.

*excludes CIF playoff games

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KLRN to Broadcast the Turkey Tussle

Don't worry if you are unable to attend this year's Turkey Tussle in person. We will miss you but you won't miss any of the action. KLRN will be broadcasting the game. Here is the link for the Turkey Tussle livestream: gopusd.com/tussle75

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Dejuan Shamburger - Class of 1994

Having our student athletes play in the Rose Bowl is a wonderful opportunity for our high school players. These students have grown up watching the crosstown rivalry between PHS and John Muir in the Turkey Tussle. To actually play in the Rose Bowl, as a high school student, is the realization of their long awaited goal.

Dejuan Shamburger

Head Coach

Pasadena High School Football

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Skip Robinson - Class of 1966

My name is Skip Robinson. PHS Class of 1966. A proud member of the 1963, 1964 and 1965 Bulldog football teams under the leadership of coach Tom Hamilton. To play our rival John Muir in the Rose Bowl was a wonderful experience. Knowing the history of the cross town rivalry between PHS and Muir’s football teams made it a spectacle for the entire city of Pasadena. In many cases this game decided the league championship. Not to mention bragging rights.

My years of playing in the Turkey Tussle in the Rose Bowl were very successful and rewarding. I'm sure those that have come before and after me are grateful for the experience and opportunity of playing in the iconic granddaddy of them all…. The Rose Bowl.

The photo is from the 1965 Turkey Tussle and my second touchdown of the night. The Bulldogs won the game 13 - 7 and kept the Victory Bell for the second consecutive year.

Bulldog 4 Life

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MIckey Segal - Class of 1975

Playing 3 times in the Rose bowl was one of the most memorable experiences in my life. I remember having multiple sleepless nights the week of the games. The first time I played there I was overwhelmed by the facility and of course the locker room and the amazing Rose Bowl Field. I remember walking the field for over 20 minutes just taking in the whole experience. Playing in the Rose Bowl helped me understand how very lucky I was to be in Pasadena and be able to play in this legendary stadium, which just celebrated its 100 anniversary.

The PHS-Muir game, the Turkey Tussle, is my most significant memory of high school along with the fact that we won all 3 games against Muir. These memories lead me to get involved in the Rose Bowl 10 years ago, and I am now the President of the Legacy Foundation, the charitable foundation of the Rose Bowl. For the last 6 years, I have chaired the $40m capital campaign for the Rose Bowl and just finished reaching our $40m goal in August.

The Pasadena-Muir Game, the Turkey Tussle as we know it, is an important memory in my life and has lead me back to the Rose Bowl in a different way now. My wife and I, named a tunnel at the Rose Bowl memorializing Pasadena’s incredible Football coach Tom Hamilton.

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Troy Clewis - Class of 1983

First and foremost, I enjoyed everything about Pasadena High School. Especially the way the Athletic Program helped shape and transform me into the strong African American man I am today! Football was everything to me, and spending two years as a starting Corner Back for PHS, gave me the skills to take my abilities to Pasadena City College, which helped our team win the Citrus Bowl Championship in 1984. Following PCC, I spent two years at the University of New Mexico as a starting Corner Back. Next, I spent two years chasing the NFL dream with the Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots.

Unfortunately, my career was cut short. However, my education continued, and I graduated from the University of Phoenix with a Business Management Degree. I continued my football passion as an Assistant Coach for Saugus Pacific Youth Football League (PYFL). Later I became a Referee and currently share my Thursdays-Saturdays, refereeing High School and Junior College football.

I thank PHS for allowing me to participate as a football player, winning 3 League titles. My Senior year we were 12-1, undefeated in League. Our Team was by far the most talented and well-disciplined team of young men with whom I've ever had the pleasure of sharing the gridiron and friendships. Our discipline transformed us into strong men and a strong group on and off the field. The experience of playing at the Rose Bowl (Turkey Tussle) gave me the courage to eventually play in front of 80 thousand fans during my college days. I'm forever grateful for Pasadena High School and our football program.

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Indiana Wijay - Class of 2023

Playing in the Rose Bowl is a surreal experience. As kids we watched all the college teams playing in the Rose Bowl. Just to be able to play in this stadium, one of the most prestigious and iconic stadiums in California, if not the United States, is unreal. Just the thought of playing in the Rose Bowl is a huge mind blowing experience. It almost feels like we are in a movie, if that makes sense.

Indiana Wijay

Member of the Pasadena High School football team

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Jasun Ridley - Class of 2023

To play in the Rose Bowl is a great experience for anyone but definitely while we are in high school. It feels good to play in this stadium and it is something we will remember for the rest of our lives.

Jasun Ridley

Member of the Pasadena High School football team

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Class Reunions

Looking to see if your class has a reunion coming up? Check the Alumni section of the Pasadena High School website www.pusd.us/phs or our website at www.phsalumni.org. If your class is planning a reunion and you don't see the information listed please email the reunion details to Liz Champion championelizabeth@hotmail.com

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Pasadena High School Alumni Association

We are a nonprofit organization 501(c)(3) focused on helping the students and staff at Pasadena High School make our former alma mater into a great learning experience. We organize fundraisers, award scholarships and hold community-building events.

Email: phsaa@yahoo.com
Website: www.phsalumni.org
Location: 530 South Lake Avenue #961, Pasadena, CA, 91101
Phone: (626) 767-2925
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/932660690189871