Duane Asplund, Athlete
Duane was an outstanding basketball player and track athlete during his two years at V.C. During his freshman year, Duane was a valuable sixth man on the basketball team of Coach George Hails' squad. Although there were very talented players already on the team, such as Bill Gilkey , Chuck Peterson and Clarence Greer, Duane played in all 35 games and was sixth in team scoring. Duane shared the Most Improved Player award with Payne Green.
In his sophomore year in 1953-54, the 6'6" center was joined on the starting five by Rudy Aguilar, Phil Rice, Don Salado and Rue Price. It was during his sophomore season that Duane, or "Duke" as the Ventura College newspaper, the Pirate Press affectionately called him, really blossomed into one of the top basketball players in the state. Duane was also a noted track performer for Coach George Anderson.
Some of the records Duane set were the single game WSC record (42 points against Glendale), and a school record 53 points in a non-league game against Point Mugu on February 8, 1954. This record lasted until 2000, when it was surpassed by Desmond Penigar's 54 points. Duane also had four games during the regular season in which he scored 30 or more points in each game.
After a very successful campaign on the hardwood, Duane was named 1st Team All- Western States Conference, as he led the Pirates and the league in scoring (218 points), with a 21.8 average as the Pirates finished the league in 3rd place. For the season, Duane finished with 608 points in 28 games for a 21.7 average.
In recognition of his fine achievements for the season, Duane was named to the Los Angeles Times All-Southern California J.C. team. In addition, he was named the team's Most Valuable and the Most Improved Player.
Duane was a member of the track team for two years. In his sophomore year, he won the WSC high jump championship and ran on the relay teams. Duane was honored as Team Captain.
Attesting to his great all-around athleticism, during the Spring 1954, Duane competed in the second annual Intramural Decathlon Meet at Poli Stadium. He won the 10 event contest with 4,389 points.
Duane received a full athletic scholarship to U.C. Berkeley, where he competed for the Golden Bears in 1956 and 1957. A two-year starter, Duane led the Bears in rebounding his junior and senior years.
Duane taught school and coached for 36 years at Live Oak H.S. in Morgan Hills, Ca. Duane and his family continue to reside in Morgan Hills. His hobbies are golf and gardening.
