PLNU Athletics

For nearly two and half decades one man, Chalmer Cartwright, was a mainstay to the Crusader sports program. As an athlete, “Champ” was a dominant factor in the early success of the Crusaders’ intercollegiate competition of the late ‘40s. A crafty forward with virtually unstoppable offensive moves, Cartwright excelled for four years on the varsity basketball team, leading the squad in scoring each year. Those teams accumulated 72 wins in 101 games.

Possibly the most talented athlete ever to attend Pasadena College, Cartwright also lead Pasadena’s football program to consecutive winning seasons and participated on the track and softball teams.

Cartwright was already coaching junior varsity basketball in his senior year and he guided the cagers to a winning season every year until he took over varsity coaching duties in 1955. In his 13 years as head coach he twice took Pasadena to the District Championships and his 231-126 record make him one of the most winningest coaches in school history.

In 20 years as a teacher and coach at Pasadena, Cartwright coached baseball, football, golf, track and tennis. The only sport for men not coached by Cartwright was wrestling. In 1958 he also became the official athletic director under the appointment of President DeLong. He went on to coach at Garden Grove High School.

The Awards for Outstanding Achievement by an Athlete and Coach were presented to Cartwright by Vern Nelson.