No, this is not Arnold Palmer

It is Charlie Basch, the beloved former Alexandria football and baseball coach. Here he is with Dave Erickson and Roger Melaas, two ' 63 Alex alumni. Basch turned 80 last March, and is retired from coaching at St. Cloud State College (as it was called back in ’65) and lives in St. Cloud. He winters in Naples, Florida. He has been asked more than once on the golf course for his autograph -- people thinking he is Arnie Palmer. He said that one lady was so insistent that he finally relented just to get rid of her!
Photo courtesy David Erickson

My favorite memory of Charlie Basch? Watching him steal home for the Alexandria Clippers baseball team back in the 50s. He played second base on a team that featured school teachers John Gustafson, Al Sheriff, Bob Hawkins and others. -- TB