The Georgia chapter of the National Football Foundation recently recognized Orlean Castronis with its Distinguished American Award. She is a retired former journalist and the widow of one of the most popular players and coaches ever to wear the Red and Black.
The Distinguished American Award is presented to a friend of sports who has maintained a lifetime interest in the game, exhibited leadership qualities, and made a significant contribution to the betterment of amateur football.
The chapter doesn’t have a longevity award, but if it did, she would win that acclaim without question. Orlean is a sprightly 102 years old. Proficiently ambulatory with a perpetual smile, she bounded up to the podium with her prepared remarks. She was not wearing her reading glasses, and spoke briefly, expressing sincere thanks to everybody for “this wonderful honor.”
Looking much younger than she is, Orlean does not own up to a secret potion for longevity, but when you become aware of her daily routine, you quickly realize exercise must be a consequential ally.
Until recently, she drove herself in her 2007 Honda to the Athens YMCA for a daily workout. Her son, Mike, now takes her three days a week to the “Y,” where she exercises for a couple of hours: half an hour on the treadmill, half an hour on the stepper, and half an hour lifting weights. It is a relaxed routine with brief rests in between, but consistency is her hallmark.
She rarely takes a day off. When exercise ends, Orlean might go grocery shopping, depending on what’s on the menu at her residence village. She has faith that fresh fruits and vegetables will keep her going.
There is a big smile that accompanies the disclosure that as the evening shadows encroach, she ends her day with a couple of vodka tonics. “I certainly have an affinity for sipping casually as I watch the news. I have always been a fan of the news, although I don’t care for some of the characters who dominate the nightly news.”
A proud graduate of the Henry Grady College of Journalism, she worked for International News Service during World War II. Her office was located at the corner of Marietta and Broad streets, and her beat was the Georgia State Capitol.
“That meant that when the legislature was in session, I had to walk over to the Capitol to cover the political scene. That was pretty good exercise. I enjoyed that, and I keep up with the news. I guess you could say I enjoy politics, but there are a few politicians I don’t like.”
A native of Augusta, Orlean came to Georgia as a freshman in 1941 and enrolled in at Grady College. World War II soon was raging on two fronts, which meant that opportunities for women were off the charts by 1944, when she graduated. She always enrolled in summer school, allowing her to graduate early.
Her husband-to-be, Mike Castronis, was declared 4F, owing to a pickup softball game injury. He was blocking the plate as catcher when the baserunner collided with him and “caused his kidney to explode,” she says.
While he did not have to go off to war, he was cleared to play football, and he lettered in 1943, ’44, and ‘45, a threetime All-SEC lineman. Interestingly, Mike was chosen to be All-America in 1945 by the International News Service, Orlean’s employer, but she insists she didn’t influence the decision.
“Coach Mike,” as he was called, became one of the most beloved personalities in the history of Bulldog athletics, but was best known over the state for his work with the Athens Y camp at Tallulah Falls. He was so popular and well known that his friends felt that if he had run for governor, he would have been a cinch at the ballot box.
Every home game Saturday, you will find Orlean at Sanford Stadium, cheering on the “Dogs” — appropriate spelling for her undergraduate days — and never fussing about the weather. Along with her daughters, Mary and Helen, and son, Mike, she shows up rain or shine.
“We really like the night games,” she said. “I was happy to see them name the field for Coach (Vince) Dooley. He made arrangements for us to keep our tickets, and we will always be grateful for that.”
While she did not say so, Orlean’s favorite song probably is Bob Hope’s popular anthem, “Thanks for the Memories.” She has enjoyed countless memories throughout her life, among them a phone call to the famous entertainer while working at International News Service.
“There was a rumor that he had been in a plane crash in the Tampa area, and I was advised by an editor to ‘find out.’ So, I got him on the phone and asked him. He laughed and said, ‘No, I am sitting here, enjoying talking to you.’” Now that she has passed the century milestone, “I think I’ll go for two hundred,” Orlean said. Don’t bet against her. I hope she makes it — and I hope I’ll be there to interview her.