How Dennis Chinn’s Athletics Dreams Came True

Another thoughtful contribution by Eagle Rock High School Sports Hall of Fame President Gale Fullerton:

Dennis Chinn dreamed of becoming an athlete. In junior high at Eagle Rock High School, he watched in awe as Tim Alexander (S’57), Dean Balzarett (S’57), Larry Ramsey (S’58), Alan Shields (S’58), and Bill Renison (W’60) recorded one athletic exploit after another. He also heard about the feats of Curt Clinite (W’52) and Tom Meyer (W’52). At the time, Dennis never thought he would significantly contribute as a participant on Eagle Rock’s athletic teams, much less join his heroes in the Eagle Rock Sports Hall of Fame. 

What did Dennis accomplish to receive that honor in November 2012? In track and field, he was Northern League shot put champion three times (class C, B, and Varsity). In his senior year, Dennis finished fourth in the City finals. He still ranks as one of the top 10 shot-putters in school history. 

Football, however, was Dennis’s sport—both as a player and coach. At Eagle Rock, he was a three-year varsity letterman while playing offensive guard and middle guard on defense. In his senior year, he was selected as ER’s most valuable player, an honor usually reserved for offensive backs and receivers. He was the best lineman in the league and was an All City selection.

It was at Occidental College where Dennis really blossomed. He was a three-year starter and was named first string NAIA All American guard in 1965. That year was Oxy’s best team ever. It lost only one game while being coached by Jim Mora, who would go on to become a legend as the National Football League’s head coach.

Dennis was later an assistant football coach at Oxy, Tulsa University, and Colorado State. Most noteworthy was the fact that three of his offensive linemen were first round NFL picks. Dennis is also a member of Oxy's Sports Hall of Fame. 

What factors helped Dennis? Weight training, parental support, coaching, and motivation. Dennis may have been the first Eagle to make weight training a major part of his workout routine. His systematic and consistent training schedule not only increased his strength, it also enabled him to gain significant muscle weight and fitness.

His father Dick guided his development by: 1) taking high speed film of shot put and football practices/events; 2) attending every football game/track meet; 3) offering his evaluation of Dennis’ performance; and 4) providing his personal unique teaching methods.

As a compliment to his family guidance, Dennis was also fortunate to have the very young Chuck Williams guide his early football development. Dennis also benefited from the fact that Mora's Oxy staff provided the best coaching in small college America during the 1960s. Finally, Dennis possessed the motivation to work hard, learn the subtle nuances of his sports—and cultivate the will to win.

When Dennis changed vocations in the mid 1970s to veterinary medicine, these same characteristics helped him become one of the best large animal surgeons in New York state. Sports continued to be a big part of his life when two of his son’s became New York state wrestling champions.