Highland Park Legends. My conversation with Rogelio "Yogi" Najera, Part 2.

04/25/22 • 99 min

My first interview with Yogi has been my most downloaded and listened to podcast so far. It resonated with so many different people and received so much positive feedback I was excited that he agreed to do a part two.

In this episode I talk with Yogi about some of the most influential people from my youth that came from Highland Park such as Ricky Williams, Charles Steel, Titus Fisher as well as others. Highland Park was the name of the local recreation center that served as the hub for everyone who grew up in East Dago ( City Heights). We would meet there for everything from playing carroms, ping-pong, strike-out, basketball in the cage, tackle football, dice games to the legendary blues brothers setting up their turntables and playing music in the summertime.

We also broaden our discussion to include some of the legends from other neighborhoods throughout the San Diego area. Yogi's impressive basketball career at Hoover High led him to friendships with many of the other great San Diego athletes like, Percy Gilbert, Carl Fisher, Tyrone Miller, Lawrence West, Norman Baker, Sleepy Caldwell and many others.

Since some of these stories and memories took place nearly 40 plus years ago there were a couple of details that I'd like to correct. Percy Gilbert is 5 years older than Yogi, not 5 years younger. And his Hoover High teammate’s name was Mike Hyatt not Mike Haupt.

Previous Episode

undefined - Hear why digging in the crates and preserving this great art form called hip-hop is so important. My conversation with independent record store owner Sir Froderick.

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undefined - From Castle Hill Projects in The Bronx to owner and operator of an East Harlem Jeet Kune Do & Kali Martial Arts Studio. My conversation with Sifu Richard Garcia.

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Garcia Gung Fu Institute
Owner and operator of New York City's premiere Jeet Kune Do & Kali school with classes held Monday - Saturday to students of all ages.
Expert martial arts teacher based in East Harlem, with over 20 years experience focusing on teaching self-defense to students ages 5 - adult.
As Sifu of the Garcia Gung Fu Institute we pride our self with offering the most cutting edge self-defense training in the country. Our curriculum is the same as taught to the U.S. Navy Seals, F.B.I. and Law Enforcement officials throughout the country.
Director of martial arts program for Peace on the Street a non- profit organization teaching applied Zen in East Harlem.
Inducted into the Martial Arts Hall of Fame (2008) at Madison Square Garden.
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