Scott Strain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

October 24, 1949 - September 25, 2020

 

By Ryan Barba, Managing Editor and Luke Wrin Piper, News Editor

The Laney College community is in mourning as longtime journalism instructor Scott Strain died suddenly on Sept. 25. He was 70.

Strain was a long-serving member of the Peralta community and was a mentor and friend to a long line of journalism students, who credit him with inspiring their enthusiasm to be reporters.

Mollie Brown, Strain’s daughter, described him as an attentive father who was dedicated to his family.

“He had a lot of wisdom and he tried to give me as much knowledge as I could handle to get through life,” Brown said. 

“Even after my parents’ divorce, [nothing] ever stopped him from being a part of my life in any way he could.”

Strain championed Brown’s passion for ballet, serving as the house manager throughout her time at the Berkeley Ballet Theater. He created a welcoming environment for guests on and off the stage, in addition, Brown boasted he never missed a “Nutcracker” performance.

Strain triumphed over his challenges and made the most of every opportunity to care for his daughter, despite his physical disabilities.

“I went to elementary school in Hayward and he didn’t drive. He would pick me up from school taking the bus and BART, and take me to dance class,” Brown said. 

“He would hobble all the way out there, and come and get me to go home.”

Brown recalled some of her most cherished memories as being simple ones: getting Fenton’s ice cream and going to Fairyland with her father and her eldest son, Lincoln. 

“My youngest son James (6 months) would have met my dad for the first time this Christmas,” said Brown. “He loved sending the boys gifts and was looking forward to his trip.”

Strain was born in Illinois on October 24th, 1949; soon thereafter his family moved to Oakland. He attended Piedmont High School, where he earned his letter jacket for being the team manager. Strain was unable to play any sports due to a lifelong limp brought on by cerebral palsy. 

Strain earned his bachelor’s degree at Brigham Young University and his masters at Canterbury, returning to Oakland with laurels to his name to pursue a career as a journalist. 

“His love for the Bay Area called him home,” recalled Brown. “He spent the rest of his life working all over the Bay.” 

Strain was a writer at the Oakland Tribune for over 20 years, before making his way to the Peralta Community College District as a journalism instructor and an influential mentor. 

Strain served as an adjunct faculty member in the journalism department as well as the sports information officer for Laney College. For years, Strain was the voice of Eagles baseball, and at home games he could always be found stationed behind the field in the broadcasting booth. 

John Beam, head coach of the Laney football team, spoke about Strain’s impact on Laney sports over the decades. He was at every home game and nearly every away game, even after leaving teaching last year. When the Eagles won the CCCAA State Football Championship in 2018, Strain was awarded a championship ring like the players. 

“I didn’t even think twice about it,” Beam said. ”He’s been a part of Laney’s journey, he’s been a part of our family. That’s what matters.” 

Coach Beam praised Strain’s institutional memory, his deep-seated knowledge of sports, his big heart and highlighted his deeply held belief in the goodness of those around him: students, colleagues and athletes alike. 

Eva Hannan, a former student and sports writer for the Laney Tower, covered games alongside Strain in the booth at Laney. 

“If it wasn’t for him, the quality of the sports [coverage] would have been a lot less,” said Hannan. 

“He would be at my side at every game…and it really just helped me out and guided me through this whole process of becoming a journalist.”

Strain was the catalyzing force behind many Peralta freshmen becoming student journalists. Many of these students went on to become editor-in-chief of the Laney Tower (now The Citizen) or land professional positions as reporters. Nearly every alumni of The Citizen had two things in common: their passion for reporting and that Scott Strain played an active role in cultivating this passion.