FOOTBALL: Backus is good spirits.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to both Randy Backus and Temple City basketball coach Rich Hollinger and hope you both have a speedy recovery.
Rams press on without ailing coach
By Scott Galetti, Staff Writer
TEMPLE CITY - School has been in session and athletic practices have gone on as scheduled at Temple City High School.
At the same time, this hasn't been a normal week.
The Rams football team, struggling after a 0-3 start and playing without its star player Will Do, got the news over the weekend that it would be moving on without head coach Randy Backus, at least for the time being.
Backus had been diagnosed with prostate cancer over the summer and had surgery on Monday.
That same day, boys basketball coach Rich Hollinger also had cancer surgery after he discovered a lump two weeks ago.
Both coaches went home on Tuesday and Backus was happy just to be back on his feet.
"My wife and I did a great deal of research (after being diagnosed) and decided the best course of action would be the removal of the prostate at the City of Hope," Backus said. "It was done robotically which is the latest procedure, and I'm actually up walking around. But I won't be able to coach or teach for at least two weeks."
Temple City athletic director and acting head football coach John Van De Veere said Hollinger actually paid a visit to the school on Wednesday.
"Rich is in good spirits and we're all hoping for the best," Van De Veere said.
Backus will learn more about the success of his procedure today, while Hollinger will find out more over the weekend.
"They'll do an MRI this weekend to find out if the cancer has spread throughout his body or if they got it all," Van De Veere said. "They're probably going to perform chemotherapy or radiation, but they haven't made a decision."
After Backus informed his team of the situation on Saturday, the Rams have done their best to overcome the initial shock of losing their coach.
"Saturday there were a lot of emotions from the players," assistant coach Eric Sepulveda said.
Published in Tuesday's paper.
Rams coach Backus has cancer surgery
By Scott Galetti, Staff Writer
TEMPLE CITY - When Randy Backus took over as head coach of Temple City High School's football team, he didn't have much time to prepare after former coach Mike Mooney left for an assistant principal job at San Marino.
Now, Backus has been forced to temporarily step aside for more pressing matters.
Backus underwent prostate cancer surgery on Monday and will be out indefinitely.
"I've heard everything from two weeks to two months," Temple City athletic director John Van De Veere said.
Van De Veere described Backus' procedure as successful.
"I talked to his wife today and the surgery seemed to be successful and they won't find out until Thursday if they got it all.
"Our prayers and wishes are with him, and we're going on from there."
In a season where the Rams have struggled with an 0-3 record and lost their top running back to injury, to be without their head coach is not only disappointing, but disheartening.
According to Van De Veere, Backus found out about the cancer during a routine physical over the summer.
Backus, in his 13th season with the Rams, did his best to keep it a private matter until announcing it to the team over the weekend.
"It's something that we didn't want to distract the kids with and they've had a hard time," Van De Veere said. "They lost Mike Mooney and Williams Do got hurt a couple of weeks ago.
"And now Randy's gone down, so the kids are going through some trying times."
Van De Veere will serve as acting head coach while Backus recuperates.
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Melendez worked as a correspondent for the San Gabriel Valley Tribune for three years and later landed a job as a freelance writer at the Los Angeles Times before accepting an offer at The Orange County Register covering high schools. Melendez covered Major League Soccer at The Register for three years before being promoted to report on the Lakers, Angels and Dodgers for the Web. Melendez also worked for the Daytona Beach News-Journal, Fresno Bee, Oakland Tribune and The Boston Globe. E-mail opinions, suggestions and tips to miguel.melendez@sgvn.com. |
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He told Peterson from the Mid Valley News about the Blog stuff when he first broke the story on Monday. But anyway well stated by Coach Mooney. That makes sense. Hey Coach what's the latest on Coach Backus? Is he still out 3-4 weeks? Glad to hear he's doing well.
Backus is a good guy (with an amazing memory).
Good luck buddy!
While Randy would prefer not to have any of this going on period, he understands that his high profile position no longer provides him the annonimity he previously enjoyed for the most part. We have discussed this and he gets it. He is already scheming defenses for th RHL campaign and is itching to resume active duty. Thanks to all the well wishers out there on behalf of Randy and his family.
MM
Actually, I would prefer NOT to use this forum for a discussion of my prostate or anyone else's for that matter.
I would look to a medical site instead.
This is a good forum for men to discuss this issue. I know of many male coaches, mostly middle aged men, that have had this issue in recent years. Several are now deceased from this potentially life altering cancer. Probably mostly from not having regular checkups. This situation should serve as another wakeup call to all men to have regular medical checkups and make certain they check the prostrate.
I know we don't like it, the prostrate examination, but it's imperative that we overcome our dislikes to live long and productive lives. We owe that to our ourselves and our loved ones.
Elias: Randy didn't make any mention to me about not putting this on the blog when I talked to him on Wednesday.
All the blog is another way to post the story that ran in the paper online. The only differences are a longer shelf life and the opportunity for well-wishers to chime in.
What is the big deal about having a blog about this - what am I missing?
Randy:
Get well soon, the kids miss you and you have plenty of great years of Ram Football ahead of you.
yeah he doesn't want this at all. C'mon guys be cool and take it off!
the story was fine on the web, paper etc. But I know from a very reliable source that Coach Backus didn't want a blog going about this. he's not okay with it. he doesn't want everybody talking about it. You might want to pull it. Just letting you know. He doesn't