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Mr. Chabola
At Friday night’s football game against Bishop Amat, Culver City High School will rename its newly renovated football field Jerry Chabola Stadium, honoring the school’s longtime athletic director in a halftime ceremony.
The Centaurs also will retire the No. 5 jersey of Michael Bumpus, named the CIF Division X Player of the Year in 2003.
Mr. Chabola graduated from St. Mary’s College of California, majoring in economics and government and landed a teaching job that included coaching three sports. He left teaching for several years to work at Tower Insurance, the business he bought with his wife, Janet.
But he never left coaching. He spent time coaching Little League baseball and softball for his own children and even started the girls softball program in Culver City Mr. Chabola ultimately returned to teaching and coaching at Culver High, eventually becoming the school’s Student Body Advisor, Athletic Director, Interact Advisor and a founding member of the school’s Vanguard Academy. He served as a volunteer football coach, varsity baseball coach, and girls soccer coach.
The high school became his home away from home, and his devotion to his vocation was amazing. He was named the first “Teacher of the Year” by the Culver City Education Foundation.
Ten years ago, Mr. Chabola started volunteering as Santa for the Police Dept. Christmas sleigh with the assistance of his grandchildren elves. He also served in a variety of other roles, including one term with the Parks and Recreation Commission, as School District Liaison to the city, CIF Liaison for the School District, President of the South Bay Athletic Assn., President of Culver City Babe Ruth, co-founder of the high school Booster Club, Interact Advisor for 21 years and co-founder of “Best Buddies” at CCHS. He even spearheaded the “Every 15 Minutes Program” at the high school, a program to encourage students not to drink and drive.
Mr. Chabola’s favorite role in life is that of being a family man and Papa to his six grandchildren. He retired from teaching last year after 22 years at the high school, including 19 yserving as the school’s Athletic Director.
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Mr. Bumpus, in his work clothes.
Mr. Bumpus lettered in four different sports for the Centaurs, including football, basketball, soccer, and baseball. As a junior, he caught 75 passes for 1,081 yards and 11 touchdowns, recorded two interceptions and was Culver City’s punter, maintaining a near 40-yard average.
The following year, he helped Culver City to a 9-2-1 record and played wide receiver until the third game of the season, when he took over at quarterback due to injuries. Mr. Bumpus rushed for 800 yards, passed for 160, and had 170 receiving yards, while scoring 13 touchdowns. He was named the Southern Section’s Division X offensive player of the year and was ranked the No. 15 wide receiver nationally by TheInsiders.com.
Mr. Bumpus went on to star for Washington State, where he earned All-Pac-10 Conference honorable mention his senior year and was named WSU’s offensive co-MVP. He finished the 2006-2007 season with 60 receptions for 558 yards and one touchdown to lead all Cougar receivers. He also led the team with 13 punt returns for 72 yards.
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Mr. Bumpus, in his work clothes.
Mr. Bumpus signed with the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played in four NFL games over two seasons, catching five passes for 48 yards, including a 10-yard touchdown grab against the St. Louis Rams.
Mr. Maleman may be contacted at gmaleman@aol.com
