Its Gillis Time

The Gillis Logo

Gillis Tourney: August 7th & 8th, 8 AM

SAME LOCATION: SOUTH GILLIS

Dockweiler Beach, between Imperial and Grand Ave.

WELCOME TO GILLIS 40!

When Steve graduated from St. Bernards High School and was contemplating Sophomore life ahead as an “Oiler” at West L.A. Junior College, Dave was still contemplating his belly button as a Junior at Westchester High School, wondering how many actual hours could be logged in at Gillis Beach playing volleyball and bodysurfing. Steves idea was to have a tournament at Gillis Beach on one court with seventeen 2-Man teams. Why not?

40 years later we have arrived at this moment, contemplating again, deeper thoughts of “How the Hell did we get HERE?” It’s hard to fathom, but so easy to bring back memories of those 1^st trunks, the toasts, the costumes, camps, skits, players, volleyball games (good and bad) and at the top of the list- The People! They are twisted, creative, outgoing wonderful people that have been such a HUGE part of The Gillis.

We were all single when it started. Then marriages happened, kids happened, new wives replaced old wives, some struggled with health and we even lost our share of amazing personalities. We keep moving forward enjoying our families, playing alongside of them, watching them act like the fools we used to be. Mostly though, we imparted a love of “The Game” to our legacies. Amazing!

Steve and I have tried to keep The Gillis a locals event, without TV, radio, and newspapers taking us someplace we wouldn’t recognize. Our history is important to us, and The Gillis gives us the chance to relive it and to pay it forward to at least three generations.

There have been many loyal participants that have stopped coming for various reasons. Find these people and encourage them to return to our 40th reunion, if only for this one year. Bring out the old partners, the classic costumes, the creative camps and the funniest skits. Let’s celebrate Gillis past.

We would be remise to not acknowledge folks who have been VIP loyalists these past four decades, like Denny Smith and forty years of his photos, Alan Vallarine attending all 40, “Shorty” Bradford steering all games to completion each year, Spencer Shiffman inspiring us for decades with his battle and victory over cancer, Turley and Johnson carrying the tourney to uncharted territory with many years of amazing costumes, Wheeler and his Showtime dancers entertaining us for thirty years with amazing performances, Crystal Johnson with twenty years of dedicated t-shirts sales at the G-Spot and Machado and Kevin Lennon supplying humorous entertainment on the mic. We also toast all of the Gillis Hall of Famers for their special and unique contributions. Thanks also to the many sponsors who donate their finances to help us put this event on every year.

We are looking forward to seeing old and new friends, and reliving what got us to this fifth decade of The Gillis. See you there.

Steve and Dave Cressman

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