SPORTSBEAT by Peter Jakey: Jeff Paradise enjoys retirement in Battle Creek

Because of a failed millage, the only sport funded during the 1967-68 school year was RCHS boys? basketball. What had promised to be an outstanding football season in the fall of 1967, with a group of experienced players who had been on the varsity since they were sophomores, was washed up when the young men were seniors because of the disappointing decision of voters at the polls. The players and their families could only imagine how that season would have gone.

It would have been a really long winter if it hadn?t been for basketball, and thanks to the local boosters funding the program that season, fans found out exactly what they would have missed. At the end of an outstanding season, the Hurons had their sights set on an undisputed Michigan-Huron Shores Conference title. In front of a huge crowd at Petoskey, Rogers City played in one of the highest scoring games ever, and were led by the conference?s leading scorer, Jeff Paradise, who set RCHS? single-game scoring record with 40 points.

Even with 40, what does Paradise remember about the game? How about the free throws he missed, which would have iced the game, and the 50-foot bomb that sent the game into overtime with four seconds to go. Petoskey went on to win the game with the extra time on the clock. Even more impressive is Paradise did it before the implementation of the three-point rule. His record would stand for 36 years, until big man Kyle Greene turned in a dominating performance in 2004 against an under-sized Hillman. He put in 42 points and moved past Paradise. Rogers City went on to defeat Onaway for a share of the crown.

IT?S BEEN almost 40 years since that scintillating night in Petoskey. Today, Paradise lives in Battle Creek, where he and his wife of 30 years, Elaine, have made their home. Their daughters, Tiffiny and Jessica, both live in BC as well, so it gives the couple plenty of opportunities to be around their three grandchildren. Tuesday evening, an initial phone call to Jeff found him at one of his grandson?s baseball games. Elaine said there have been many games over the years. Not only did Paradise not play his senior season of football, but he also wasn?t able to play baseball, mainly because it wasn?t offered at RCHS. Any young man wanting to play baseball beyond the Babe Ruth League in Rogers City would have to join the hardball county circuit.

After high school, Paradise attended Alpena Community College, before transferring to Olivet. Paradise played baseball at ACC and Olivet. One of his teammates at Olivet was former Tiger pitcher Vern Ruhle, who had a good Major League career (1974-1986). Paradise said ?he was drafted as a junior,? but sadly passed away in January at the age of 55. Paradise tried getting a teaching job in his hometown, but there were none available. In 1975, he started substituting teaching in Battle Creek, and eventually landed full-time work, which would last three decades.

In the 1970s and 80s, Paradise had no desire to pack away his baseball glove. He kept playing for amateur teams, including the Su

llivan?s of Grand Rapids, who won the National Baseball Congress World Series in 1983. Two years ago he retired from teaching, but still substitutes and plays intramural basketball. A month ago, Jeff was in Rogers City to paint his sister Judy?s trailer. He has two other sisters, Jackie and Jill, who still make their home in the Nautical City as well. ?I still have a lot of friends in Rogers City,? he said on the telephone Tuesday. Paradise finished his senior season with 403 points, and ended his career in 1968 as the Hurons? all-time leading scorer with 582 points. Mark Belusar would pass that mark in 1976.

So, if you were wondering whatever happened to a very special athlete, who treated fans from two communities to an amazing scoring show in the winter of 1968, well before the three-point basket became part of the high school game, Jeff Paradise is alive and well in Battle Creek.