Shhhhhhhhh it’s a surprise.

What do you get your father on his eightieth birthday?  Tom Andrich, a graphic artist for Nike Apparel for almost 30 years – had an idea for his Dad.  He commissioned a painting commemorating a huge moment in his father’s life.  It was a moment that pre-dated two of his father’s three sons including Tom, the youngest.  I felt honored to be chosen for this task, not only because it came from another artist but also because the subject was someone I too admire.  Of course I’m more familiar with the man who taught, coached and administered generations of Bend students.  When I run into fellow “Bendites” whether younger or older - I can always find commonality with one name:  Dale Andrich.

I knew the Andrich family was Catholic and originally from Astoria.  What I didn’t know was their history in this famous coastal hamlet which only recently is making a cultural comeback.  I learned that Dale’s childhood educational life was spent at one school:  Star of the Sea Catholic in Astoria.  In its day, Star of the Sea was home to around 300 students, first through twelfth grades.  It was here Dale met Esther Brunmeier, the woman he was married to for 57 years;   Esther Andrich

Like his sons who followed him, Dale was a star athlete.  He was the center of the Star’s basketball team before an injury shortened his career in college.  That’s where this story begins.  

  

After graduating from college Dale returned to Star of the Sea in a different capacity – teacher and head men’s basketball coach.  He inherited a team not much younger than him and they had talent.  In his first season they earned a place in Oregon’s Class B tournament and the reward was a five hour drive to Pendleton.  Despite being the shortest team in the field, Star of the Sea won the State Championship.  It was March 1958. 

 

Upon returning home there was a parade through Astoria celebrating the surprising “Stars.”   There were local radio interviews and a presentation assembly at the school gym.  It must have been a scene right out of the movie “Hoosiers.”  At the center of the event were the players and their young coach.  Recently married and a new father, Coach Dale Andrich was all of 23 years old.  He’s holding a trophy and his whole life is ahead of him.

    

This painting is mixed medium – colored pencil, acrylic paint on panel.  The angles are intended to mimic the inclines of Astoria and the school itself.  I wanted to re-tell the story for Dale now, yet preserve it for his extended family going forward.