Jeff Tully
Jim Sartoris has heard countless stories and tall tales about his
father Henry over the years.
While most of the stories involving the all-around athlete are
true, some of the recollections might have been stretched a bit with
the passage of time.
"I think one of my favorite stories about my dad has to do with
running," Jim Sartoris said.
"Legend has it that he once ran 10.1 [seconds] in the 100, in
tennis shoes, on a dirt track.
"I don't know how true that is, but there are some great stories
about my dad."
The stories about Henry Sartoris help paint a picture of a man who
was more than just a great athlete. They also serve to keep alive the
memory of an individual who touched many lives and influenced those
in, and out, of the sports realm.
Henry, a longtime resident and 30-year veteran of the Burbank
Police Department, died April 24. He was 89.
Active in the local community, Henry served on the Board of
Directors of the Burbank City Employees Federal Credit Union for 28
years and was also a lifetime member of the Elks Lodge.
After working at Paramount Studios during World War II, Henry
joined the Burbank Police Department in 1945, serving as a patrolman
and detective until he retired in 1975.
Although he found success in many aspects of his life -- including
a 64-year marriage to wife Margaret -- Henry has left a lasting
legacy with his accomplishments as an athlete and coach.
"I think legacy is the perfect word to describe what my dad has
left," said Jim, Glendale Community College athletic director and
former Vaquero football player and coach.
"In our family, our interest in sports is because of my father,
and he is the one who got me interested in sports and coaching."
"I think more of my style and personality as a coach comes from my
father. He cared about helping athletes get the most out of sports,
and was more interested in helping players get better."
Henry's interest and success in sports began when he was a child
growing up in Colorado. He developed into fine basketball player and
was an all-state football player.
In 1935, Henry made his way to Southern California to accept a
scholarship offer to play football for USC and popular Coach Howard
Jones.
However, his athletic career took a strange twist when he came to
USC.
"When he arrived at USC, it just happened that Howard Jones wasn't
there at the time," Jim said.
"So he had some friends who were going to Loyola University (now
Loyola Marymount University), and they invited him to come and spend
