Dan Dalager (’68) called to let local alumni know that they are invited to submit feedback on the proposed sculpture entitled “The Kick”:
The city of Encinitas plans to commemorate that moment with a statue of the Leucadia native, noted for kicking despite being born with no right hand and no toes on his right foot. Patrons of Encinitas Parks has commissioned a 2,000-pound bronze sculpture of Dempsey kicking by sculptor Don Reynolds.“The Kick,” as it will be called, would be displayed in the Hall Property Park.
A 20-inch model of the sculpture will be on display through June 22 in the lobby of Encinitas City Hall, which, interestingly, rests on the former site of a jewelry store owned by the Dempsey family.
Public comments about the proposed sculpture are being sought. The City Council will consider the public art proposal July 14.
The project has the official blessing of the NFL, said Jim Gilliam, the city’s arts administrator. Backers of the sculpture still need to raise about $150,000-plus for the project.
“Sculpture will recall Dempsey’s big kick,” by Jeff Frank, North County Times