In 1990, four boys entered high school just as countless kids before them. But this was no ordinary high school, and these were no ordinary students. The Salt Lake High School East was in transition, some would say in decline. From all walks of life they came together in the quest of a legend: a secret, underground swimming pool. Daryl, Hiram, Earl, and Allen were the founding members of the Tunnel Club, dedicated to finding the lost pool. Early in the school year, they heard the rumors of a subterranean pool, long ago sealed up and nearly forgotten. Their search leads them into discovering all sorts of things about their school—its history, people, and their place in the community. Determined to find out more, they uncover secrets, like burnt-out stairwells that lead to catacombs and other strange features of the ancient edifice. They also learn about the people behind the building, and the demographic and political forces behind its changes. While sneaking around the tunnels of the old East High, however, they discover more important things: friendship, loyalty, and trust. Tunnel Club is the story of growing up in a very unique community and attending a school with a remarkable past. In many ways East High School represents the Salt Lake community from its early provincialism to its growth into a distinct American metropolis. The four protagonists represent what many boys experienced while growing up in such a peculiar time and place. Their curiosity and adventurism put them in a path where they meet the city’s history head on, and realize truths about life in Utah that most teenagers never consider. Any graduate of East High School (96 classes since its opening) will love reading about its untold history, as will friends of family of the East bench community. The story has wider appeal, too—Salt Lakers, Utahns, and Latter-day Saints will all recognize themes that will interest, entertain, and uplift. Finally, Tunnel Club is a teenage adventure that adults and adolescents alike will love.
Rich is a man who loves to write. He is the author of three books and the "Rich Like Me" political column at Washington Times Communities. He has taught at all levels, and continues to teach at the university level while enrolled in a doctoral program. Additionally, he works for the Peace & Conflict Studies program at the University of Utah.
Weird, because he is also a Soldier in the California National Guard. Two years ago his unit, the 69th Public Affairs Detachment, deployed to Kosovo, where he served as the Video Section Leader for Multi-National Task Force East, under NATO command. While there he wrote for the magazine, Guardian East. He also finished his first book, Nine Weeks, about his unique experience at Army basic training, and joined the ranks of military bloggers with "My Public Affairs."
Rich holds a masters degree in Mathematics Education from Western Governors University. Before that he roused rabble at CSU East Bay (previously "Hayward"). At CSUEB he founded a student newspaper, The California Statesman. While in school, he met his wife, Esther, at a political forum.
In between teaching assignments and his National Guard commitments, Rich works on his upcoming books. You can read about them by going to the "Books" menu above.
He resides in Salt Lake City with Esther and their two young sons.
