Mailbag:

When Pat Callaghan inherited the Corona del Mar boys’ soccer program, there was minimal interest in it.

Players showed up to practice with sunglasses and board shorts on. They were barely able to field two teams. The players didn’t know what to expect because they lacked loyalty throughout their time as coaches changed year after year.

Coach Pat changed that. He was so passionate about the game that he would scrimmage with the players and was never afraid to show emotion. Pat knew the game, how to make the most out of his players and what it took to reach the ultimate goal.

He taught us that hard work was necessary to be successful in the game, let alone life.

Pat took a program from worst to first. The program reached a whole new level, winning back to back league championships and an annual invitation to the CIF playoffs.

Students became very interested in soccer. In fact, Pat built the program up to the point where he was able to field three teams consistently. No longer was Corona del Mar desperate for players. The fan support increased dramatically as well. Corona del Mar became a tough environment for opponents to play at.

These are just a few of the accomplishments that Pat was able to achieve during his time at the school.

Pat showed up every day. He brought intensity that inspired his players to work harder. He made the most out of the talent he had. Corona del Mar became a contender.

As a former player, I couldn’t thank Coach Pat enough for giving the program all he had. As Pat would say, “It’s as simple as that.”

CONNER FERGUSON

CDM class of 2006

Consider retrofitting our vehicles first

There is no simple solution when it comes to municipalities and government agencies improving fuel economy and reducing emissions of their transit and fleet vehicles. This is especially true today when there are limited resources available to address a multitude of complex issues.

Before municipalities spend hundreds of millions of dollars on hybrid vehicles, they should consider retrofitting their current vehicles with state-of-the art hydraulic braking and propulsion systems.

These cost-efficient systems capture wasted brake energy and convert it to an auxiliary source of energy to power the vehicle. The realized reduction in fuel consumption and added years of useful life are economic advantages, while the reduction in harmful emissions from a renewable source of energy is a “green” benefit as well.

It is important to note that retrofitting vehicles could create jobs immediately, as municipalities and government agencies could begin the evaluation and conversion process right away. Buying new hybrid vehicles, while a costly endeavor, does not bring jobs to the area.

The bottom line is that it makes economic and environmental sense for municipalities and government agencies to investigate the benefits of retrofitting before spending millions of dollars.

SAM JONES

President, Recaptured Energy Technologies