Many a San Bruno youth learned to play basketball at San Bruno Rec, dribbling through cones and practicing lay-ups.
By John Murphy
The other day I received a text from my brother Jim. It said, “What years did the Warriors practice at the San Bruno Rec? They are going to raze the current facility and pool and replace it with money from the PG&E fire settlement.”
If this wasn’t a writing prompt, then I don’t know one. The San Bruno Rec – or Veterans Memorial Recreation Center as it’s officially named – was my life as a kid.
Growing up in San Bruno, then a middle-class suburb of almost impossible simplicity, San Bruno Park and its venerable rec center were the hub. The rec is where we went to shoot baskets, play pool and hang out.
The rec was also our home court. It’s where Menlo School basketball coach Keith Larsen and I played our games for St. Robert’s School. It’s where I cracked my two front teeth on the floor during a sixth-grade practice.
The Golden State Warriors also practiced at the rec. When I was a kid you knew the Warriors were there because Nate Thurmond’s maroon Rolls Royce was parked in front. We’d scurry over to see our heroes like Thurmond, Jeff Mullins and Rick Barry play and coach Al Attles with that deep baritone voice direct traffic.
One day at a Warriors’ practice, the power went out. Warriors star Jerry Lucas came over and sat right next to me. He was nice. I think he asked how old I was and if I played ball. It was a thrill.
The best player ever from the rec was Mike Mitchell. He starred at St. Robert’s and at Capuchino High where he scored 50-plus points in two consecutive home games. The amazing thing was, fans walked away talking about his tremendous passing. He got a full ride from coach Digger Phelps at Notre Dame and later became the CEO of Dreyer’s Ice Cream.
So they’re going to tear down the rec, huh? It’s part of the $70 million in restitution from Pacific Gas and Electric Co. for the 2010 pipeline explosion that killed eight and destroyed 38 homes.
It’s a good thing, I guess. The building is cramped and antiquated. The outdoor pool next door is sub-par. But, I wonder, will the new gym have the same soul? Hmmm. We’ll see.
Main Street Dog 
Great article, John.
Yes, I did grow up (aka gym rat) at The Rec.
Playing pool, teen night, etc but, it was all about the gym. I saw the Warriors practice there, Fritz Williams, Clyde Lee, Keith Wilkes to name a few more. These distant memories are forever etched in my mind. But, we did hone our hoop skills at The Rec. I played with Mike, Dennis Haskins at Capuchino and we went on to beat Sid Williams and the Aragon Dons to get into the CCS. I received a 30 foot chest pass from Mike Mitchell and I soared high and dunked the ball with 2 seconds keft onbthe clock, Game Over. Mike was a tremendous passer. But he still owes me a Ford Mustang because we bet “whoever made a half court shot would get a Mustang from the loser. We had a lot of fun together. The debt is forgiven.
BTW: I continued to play hoops in Adult leagues from San Francisco intense league to the Menlo Park semi pro “A” league into mymid fifties.
Thanks for the reminiscing.
Mitch Fontaine
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Hi Mitch. I remember you and can still picture what you look like, along with Mike Mitchell, Dennis Haskins, “Sweet Lou” Renner, Tommy Helmers etc. Those were fun times. Thanks for the note!
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Jason Malinowski, what a passer.
We played together at the Eureka Valkey league in SF.
Good stuff, John!
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I had this articled forwarded to me and I must admit I have mixed emotions. I am very happy for the community of San Bruno to get a brand new facility. Although the thought of demolishing the “Rec” tugs at my heart. I spent almost every waking hour of my youth hanging out there playing basketball in the gym and participating in the programs offered by the City.
I literally enjoyed every second I spent hanging out there. There were so many great players that hung out there with the ultimate goal to keep the court by winning. Magic Larsen, Buzz Harnett, Donnie the mailman with the killer corner jumper, Jason Mal, Snorky, Jimmy Krud, the group that would come down from the City. And a host of other ballers that would stop on in. Make no mistake we had fun – but the games were intense.
I was fortunate to not only witness the Warriors practice there – but all the visiting NBA teams came through as well. I’ll never forget watching Pistol Pete practice then hang out on the roll away benches catching a breath.
Murph – Thanks for a trip down memory lane. Old Rec – RIP.
Mike Mitchell
Mitch Fontaine – Double or nothing ?
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John – I enjoyed your article about the San Bruno Rec. Sorry to see it go as I literally spent my youth playing there. I remember some very competitive games with a very diverse group of players. Who could forget Donnie the Mailman’s corner jumper or Buzz Harnett owning the paint or the car load of ballers that came down from the city every Saturday. It was a culture and a “ happening “ that was all about playing hard and retaining ownership of the court.
As for Mitch Fontaine – I remember that pass I tossed to you that you caught in perfect stride for the one hand dunk and the win ! As for the Mustang – you never got it ?
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I have no idea how I stumbled upon this blog post, but the memories came flooding back…shooting hundreds of free throws at the all night rec sleepover…watching Cazzie Russell roll into the Rec parking lot in his brand new Mercedes blasting The Isley Brothers’ “Who’s that Lady?”…word going around a school that Lew Alcindor was at the Rec RIGHT NOW!…Donnie the Rabbit with that crazy run-straight-to-the-corner turnaround jumper…Badass Dave from the city who called a foul every time he missed a shot and of course never fouled anybody in his life…trying to climb metal building supports from the back to watch Warriors practice…playing one on one with Louie Renner…rebounding for Jeff Mullins and then him saying “your turn”…
Priceless.
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Nice to hear from you Jason. Do you remember playing on a team from the San Mateo area that was all African-American except for you? I was working for the San Mateo Times and Chris Stave told me to go to Oakland with the team and write a story. You were dishing out the assists and the players referred to you as “Sweet Jase.” Good times.
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Good to hear from you as well, Murph. I vaguely remember that team…Sylvester Prichett called and asked me to play even though we rarely spoke during all our intense high school battles in the “Pit”. Tuned out to be a great guy and we had a lot of fun.
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