‘The Tall Firs’ author to sign books on first NCAA champs from Astoria

Published 4:00 pm Tuesday, March 21, 2006

Take a break from the madness that is the NCAA basketball tourney this weekend and learn about Astoria’s big role in the first college hoops championship 67 years ago.

Author Joe Blakely will sign copies of his book “The Tall Firs” from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Heritage Museum, 714 Exchange St.

The Firs was the nickname given to the powerhouse University of Oregon squad, who on March 27, 1939, took the court against Ohio State at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., in the inaugural NCAA basketball championship.

Leading the Ducks to the 46-33 victory were no fewer than four Astorians: Charles Robert Anet, Wallace Johansen, Earl Sandness and Theodore Sarpola.

Blakely’s appearance is sponsored by the Clatsop County Historical Society. For more information about this and other events, call 325-2203 or e-mail cchs@seasurf.net