2012: Don Dennis, Bruce Robinson Drive AK Highway

Don Dennis

&

Bruce Robinson

From San Diego to Fairbanks, up the Alaska Highway

At the end of the month of March, Don Dennis and Bruce Robinson began driving up the Alaska Highway en route to Fairbanks.

The two have worked very closely with the Alaska Goldpanners in the past.  Don became the General Manager in 1967, and was responsible for recruiting Bruce for the 1972-73-74-75 Goldpanners squads.   Of course, three of those years (72-73-74) were championship seasons.

Their epic road trip was filled with many sights and sounds and, given time, will be presented here day by day, including pictures and stories.

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Welcome to PannerAlumni.com.   We are not set for launch until the post-season of 2012.  However, various items of interest are being added to populate the website, so feel free to check back any time.

2008 “Alumni Midnight Pitch” Delivered by 1963 Goldpanner Coutts


In 2008, the Alaska Goldpanners of Fairbanks celebrated their 49th season of competition in the 49th anniversary of statehood for the 49th state of the Union.  In connection with this remarkable confluence — and in appreciation for the half century of student-athletes who have been elevated by the Panner program — it was been decided that then was finally the time for the formation of our long-awaited alumni group.

During the 2008 Midnight Sun Baseball Classic that the AKGPA was officially launched, and its charter class inaugurated. Eventually invitations to join will be sent to all former players, coaches, trainers, staff, and known Goldpanners fans.

The AKGPA is an association – in conjunction with the “Sons & Daughters of the Midnight Sun” – consisting of Goldpanner players, coaches, personnel, and fans — all of whom regard the experience of summer baseball in Fairbanks, Alaska as one of the highlights of their lives, and regard the non-professional Goldpanners as sitting atop a pinnacle of sports organizations. Recently, the Sporting News declared that, during the summer solstice, this event makes Fairbanks the baseball capitol of the world. It is widely felt that the century-old experience and atmosphere of the game of baseball in the Tanana Valley forever changes all who truly experience it — whether one is a player, coach, or one of the lucky witnesses to the spectacle. Accordingly, with each passing season, a greater fraternity builds, joined by all who are able to appreciate the special memories which come from Alaska Goldpanners baseball in Fairbanks.

This abiding “Spirit of the Interior” has perhaps been best manifested in Bob Boone’s official request of Major League Baseball (in 1973) to allow all Goldpanners to wear a “star 49” pin on the sides of their major league caps. Though the cap request was ultimately turned down by the commissioner’s office, this enduring fondness for Fairbanks and the Goldpanners experience still remained to be worn on the sleeves of Bob and countless other veterans.

All Goldpanners who visit Fairbanks during the Midnight Sun Game will be eligible for immediate addition to the AKGPA rolls.  Let us know if you are coming, and we’ll present your certificate on the field during the pre-game ceremonies!

“Once a Panner, ALWAYS a Panner!”

Welcome to the new AKGPA website.   We are under development now, but are scheduling a summer 2012 release.

This website will function as the headquarters for all AKGPA-related work, including the development of our membership roster.  The membership list includes two divisions:

FIELD DIVISION – Reserved for former coaches, players, umpires, and personnel.

FAN DIVISION – Reserved for everyone else.

All former Alaska Goldpanners are encouraged to register for updates and latest news information which are only available to subscribers.   Each season will have representation with a unique level of permissions added so that only alumni from that season will have access.   Eventually, I’ll post a bulletin board and other functionality so that each season’s alumni can communicate with each other