NEWS

SR Old Pros mix sports, philanthropy


Scripps Ranch Old Pros President John Grant and Steve Northcote oversee the clubs recent horse shoe tournament. (photo by John Gregory)

SR Old Pros mix sports, philanthropy

The Scripps Ranch Old Pros are preparing for the sports club’s busiest time of year with the Fourth of July just days away. That’s because the Old Pros run a series of running and cycling events involving thousands of participants, all on the morning of the Fourth of July. In fact, two of the major events, the 10k race and the 50 Mile Bike Ride, start at the same time within blocks of one another.

Known as the Fourth of July Run & Ride, this series of events is put on by the Old Pros so efficiently that those who prefer to sleep in on the morning of July 4th will never know that any such events took place when they drive down the streets at noon. But make no mistake, pulling it off is a massive undertaking, although the Old Pros make little commotion about their efforts. The members would rather be known for their freewheeling reputation.

The Fourth of July Run & Ride includes a 10k Run and a 2-Mile Fun Run. (courtesy of Scripps Ranch Old Pros/srop.org)

“Our purpose is irreverent fun; however, we probably put on the biggest Fourth of July event in San Diego County,” said Old Pros President John Grant.

Besides the 10k Run and the 50-Mile Bike Ride, the Fourth of July Run & Ride includes a 2-Mile Fun Run, a 12-Mile Bike Ride and a 28-Mile Bike Ride.

The Old Pros put on a 50-Mile Bike Ride, a 12-Mile Bike Ride and a 28-Mile Bike Ride on the Fourth of July. (courtesy of Scripps Ranch Old Pros/srop.org)

“We get about 3,000 participants. We get about 25 different business sponsors and we raise approximately $60,00 to $80,000,” Grant said. “That goes to community scholarships for graduating seniors from Scripps Ranch High.”

While Grant jokes about the Old Pros when asked about the club’s objective, the group’s contributions to the community eventually surface.

“We have to have a purpose, and it’s philanthropy,” he explained.

“We fund every athletic team that asks us for money in Scripps Ranch. So, if you have a Pee-Wee League, a girls’ team of 6-year-olds, we’ll write you a check,” he said. “We write (a check) for all the high school teams, of course. Pretty much anyone. You name it, if they ask us for money, they get a check.”

The Scripps Ranch Old Pros are a registered 501(c)(7) organization, which is considered a social membership club. The rules for joining are pretty loose, but a member must reside in Scripps Ranch, within the 92131 ZIP Code area.

The club was started around 1980 when a few local men began scheming about ways to reserve playing fields from the City of San Diego. One club member said four guys in a hot tub started the organization. “I heard it was eight guys, which seems to be pretty tight,” said another.

“The reason they formed a club is they needed to reserve a softball field in the City of San Diego and they had to be a nonprofit (community-based) organization,” Grant said. “So, that’s the reason they started the club; brainstorming in a hot tub.”

Today, the Old Pros have an abundance of sports leagues playing games on numerous fields throughout the year. There are several softball leagues and some soccer leagues.

“We like to call ourselves a drinking club with a softball problem,” Grant said.

The club doesn’t ask much of its members, but helping on July 3 and 4 is an unwritten requirement. (courtesy of Scripps Ranch Old Pros/srop.org)

“The soccer league guys, they’re the minority,” Grant added. “Softball’s much bigger, but they (soccer) say they’re the best soccer leagues in the entire county because if they get people who are (jerks), they just kick them out, because it’s a private league; whereas most city leagues, you know, if you’re in, you’re in.”

Beyond the year-long sports activities, the Old Pros hold monthly meetings at Kaminski’s BBQ & Sports Lounge in Poway. It’s here where they conduct business and welcome a prominent featured speaker each month. Grant said the club has hosted some of the biggest sports names in San Diego, including Bruce Bochy, Phil Nevin, Rocky Long, Steve Fisher, Randy Jones, Tony Gwynn and a healthy assortment of sports announcers.

In addition, the club organizes an abundance of other events including trips and celebrations. There is a Super Bowl ski trip to South Lake Tahoe on the first week of February. They take a trip to Phoenix to watch the Padres during Spring Training. They have a campout during Easter week, and a Campout at Convict Lake, just south of Mammoth, in September. There is a surf trip and a trip to Laredo Resort. The club also holds several golf events. They close out the year with a “very fancy” holiday party at a downtown hotel in December.

The biggest events taking the most amount of organization and coordination remain the Fourth of July Run & Ride events. Although they are held on the 4th, there is a lot of pre-event preparation and a staffing need for members to hand out race bibs on the 3rd.

“So, the nice thing about the club is you don’t have to do anything,” Grant explained. “However, if you’re going to be a member, and a real member, July 3 and 4 is when you need to participate.”

Visit srop.org. 

If you have a news tip or idea for a story, contact John Gregory: john@scrippsranchnews.com

159 thoughts on “SR Old Pros mix sports, philanthropy”

  1. Hi there i am kavin, its my first time to commenting anywhere, when i read this article i thought i could also make comment due to this brilliant paragraph.

  8. My brother suggested I might like this website.

    He was totally right. This post truly made my day.
    You can not imagine just how much time I had spent
    for this info! Thanks!

  9. Do you have a spam problem on this site; I also am a blogger, and
    I was wondering your situation; we have created
    some nice procedures and we are looking to exchange methods with others, why
    not shoot me an e-mail if interested.

  10. Excellent article. Keep posting such kind of info on your site.
    Im really impressed by your blog.
    Hello there, You have done a fantastic job. I’ll
    certainly digg it and for my part suggest to my friends.
    I’m sure they will be benefited from this web site.

  11. It’s appropriate time to make some plans for the long run and
    it is time to be happy. I have learn this put up and if I could I
    want to suggest you some fascinating issues or tips.

    Maybe you could write subsequent articles referring to this article.
    I desire to read more things approximately it!

  12. Attractive section of content. I just stumbled
    upon your web site and in accession capital to
    assert that I acquire actually enjoyed account your blog posts.
    Anyway I will be subscribing to your augment and even I achievement you access consistently fast.
    quest bars http://bitly.com/3jZgEA2 quest bars

  21. fantastic publish, very informative. I’m wondering why the other specialists
    of this sector do not notice this. You must proceed your writing.
    I am sure, you have a huge readers’ base already!

  22. Greate post. Keep posting such kind of info on your site.
    Im really impressed by your site.
    Hey there, You have performed an incredible job.

    I will certainly digg it and individually suggest to my friends.
    I am sure they will be benefited from this website.

  23. Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your web site and in accession capital to assert that I acquire actually enjoyed account your blog posts.

    Any way I will be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access consistently
    fast.

  42. Definitely believe that which you said. Your favourite justification seemed to be on the web the simplest thing to
    bear in mind of. I say to you, I definitely get annoyed even as other folks
    think about worries that they just do not recognize about.
    You managed to hit the nail upon the highest and defined out
    the entire thing without having side-effects , other people could
    take a signal. Will likely be again to get more.
    Thank you

  43. Do you mind if I quote a few of your articles as long as I provide credit and sources
    back to your website? My blog site is in the very same niche as yours and my users
    would truly benefit from some of the information you provide here.
    Please let me know if this okay with you. Thanks!

  64. This is the right web site for everyone who would like to understand this topic.

    You realize a whole lot its almost hard to argue with you (not that I really will need to…HaHa).
    You definitely put a new spin on a topic that has been written about
    for years. Wonderful stuff, just great!

  82. I do not even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was great.

    I don’t know who you are but definitely you’re going to a famous blogger if you are not already ;
    ) Cheers!

  83. Aw, this was a very nice post. Spending some time and actual effort to produce a great article…
    but what can I say… I procrastinate a lot and don’t manage to get anything done.

  84. I am really impressed together with your writing skills
    as smartly as with the format on your blog. Is this
    a paid subject matter or did you customize it your self?
    Either way keep up the nice quality writing, it’s uncommon to peer a nice blog like this
    one these days..

  86. It’s nearly impossible to find well-informed people about this subject, but you sound like you know what you’re talking about!
    Thanks

  94. Do you have a spam issue on this blog; I also am a blogger,
    and I was wanting to know your situation; we have developed some nice procedures and we are looking to swap strategies with others, why not shoot me an e-mail if interested.

  98. Attractive portion of content. I simply stumbled upon your
    site and in accession capital to assert that I acquire in fact enjoyed account your blog posts.
    Anyway I will be subscribing on your augment and even I success you
    get right of entry to persistently rapidly.

  100. With havin so much written content do you ever run into any problems of plagorism or copyright
    infringement? My site has a lot of exclusive content I’ve either written myself or outsourced but it seems a lot of it
    is popping it up all over the internet without my
    permission. Do you know any solutions to help stop content from being
    stolen? I’d certainly appreciate it.

  114. I like the valuable information you supply in your articles.
    I will bookmark your blog and take a look at once more here frequently.
    I’m rather sure I will be told plenty of new stuff right right here!
    Best of luck for the next!

  120. I just like the valuable info you provide in your articles.
    I will bookmark your weblog and take a look at again here
    regularly. I’m slightly sure I’ll be informed many new stuff right here!

    Best of luck for the following!

  123. Superb blog you have here but I was curious if you knew of any
    forums that cover the same topics talked about here?
    I’d really like to be a part of group where I can get responses from other
    knowledgeable people that share the same interest. If you have any recommendations, please let me know.

    Many thanks!

  132. Have you ever considered about adding a little bit more than just your articles?
    I mean, what you say is fundamental and everything. Nevertheless think of if you added some
    great graphics or videos to give your posts more, “pop”!
    Your content is excellent but with pics and videos, this website could certainly be one of the greatest in its niche.
    Terrific blog!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *