Recently, I received an email from James D. from Macungie about whether I was the sports information director at Widener University in 1984. He was on the Sports Information Staff at Susquehanna University.

Well, Joe, I was.

However, I am sorry that I don’t remember you. There has been a plethora of people that I have met over the last 40 years. You will come back to me someday.

As a result, I began to think back about what happened in the sports world and pop culture in 1984. In this Yesterday column – reminiscing about sports and pop culture in the 1960s, 70s, 80s, 90s and sometimes beyond – I will take a look at some historic figures and events from the year as well as those hot pop culture items during the year.

What famed song dominated the charts in 1984? Who was Paul McFadden and Robbie Bosco? And did Chuck Fusina ever win a league MVP?

They Loved LA: In 1984, Los Angeles played host to the Summer Olympics, and it produced plenty of star power as well as some unforgettable events. The U.S. won 174 medals, 83 of them were gold.

Do you remember Peter Ueberroth? He was the chairman of the committee and also served as MLB’s commissioner that year as well. Ueberroth can easily get lost in the shuffle, but he helped pull 21 of 26 clubs out of the red and also negotiated TV deals with CBS and ESPN. Yes, baseball was back on CBS back then and also on TBS and USA.

The Olympics produced household names such as Carl Lewis, Mary Lou Retton, Greg Louganis, and the battle between Mary Decker Slaney and Zola Budd. In the 3,000-meter final, Slaney and Budd were vying for eh lead and got entangled with each other. Slaney couldn’t finish the race, but Budd did –obviously in pain from an ankle injury as she was crying – and finished seventh.

It certainly was a blockbuster Olympics, one in which we can likely remember more athletes than any other one.

Call It Even: We all knew about the 1980 Phillies and have some memories from another World Series run in 1983.

What about 1984? The Phils were still managed by Paul Owens, and they finished with an overall 81-81 record.

It was a lineup that many may soon forget. Len Matuszek was at first, Ivan DeJesus at short, and Ozzie Virgil was behind the plate. Glenn Wilson, Von Hayes, and Sixto Lezcano were in the outfield. Garry Maddox was on the bench and played in 77 games while he battled injuries.

Steve Carlton was on the downside with his 5-10 record, and John Denny was slowed with injuries and a 7-7 record. Who was the Phillies’ top winner? Try Jerry Koosman, who was 42 and won 14 games with 15 losses. Al Holland had 29 saves, and 39-year-old Tug McGraw was in his last season with a 2-0 record and a 2.53 ERA in 25 games.

Former Indians’ (now Guardians) closer Jim Kern had a cup of coffee with the Phils in ’84.

The Fox Sank Deep: With Dick Vermeil burned out and gone, Marion “The Swamp Fox” Campbell took over the head coach. They finished a disappointing 6-9-1.

Ron Jaworski had a mediocre year with 2,785 passing yards and 16 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Wilbert Montgomery ran for 789 yards, but he caught 60 passes. Mike Quick was the top receiver with 61 yards.

Do you remember Paul McFadden? He was the Eagles’ kicker and converted 30 of 37 field goal attempts and made 26 of 27 extra-point attempts.

Dynamic Duo: In 1984, the Sixers had a great run, finishing 58-24 under Billy Cunningham. They were led by Dr. J and Charles Barkley – yes, they played together – and advanced to the Eastern Conference finals before they fell to the Celtics in five games.

Some Sixers, who were on the roster, were Clemon Johnson, George Johnson, Steve Hayes, Sedale Threatt, Marc Iavaroni, and Clint Richardson. Matt Guokas was an assistant coach who later coached the team.

A Cake and Card: Following in the footsteps of several other card sets, Tastykake launched a 47-card Phillies set in 1984. It certainly was a sweet deal.

There also was a team photo in the mix. Check to see if you have any.

On the Airwaves: It seemed like it was long ago, but Wendy’s unveiled its “Where’s the Beef” famed commercial with the three elderly ladies.

Apple aired its 1984 ad that touted its Macintosh computer line, and Sony and Philips introduced the first CD players.

On the College Front: Both Notre Dame and Penn State had average seasons at best in 1984. The Nittany Lions finished 6-5, and the Irish posted a 7-5 mark under Gerry Faust. Who won the National Championship?

It was BYU, and their quarterback was Robbie Bosco. You have to be a true college gridiron fan to remember him.

A Thriller, Some Purple Rain, and a Special Face: there were plenty of big plashed in the music world in 1984.

Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” dominated the year as the top song, but there were plenty of other memorable ones that made their debut.

Prince’s “Purple Rain” paralleled Jackson’s hit, and it held its own for a while. You can also flip back to Billy Idol’s “Eyes Without A Face,” as well Huey Lewis & The News’ top hit, “The Heart of Rock & Roll.”

Don’t forget Van Halen’s “Jump.”

No Fault in These Stars: While the Phillies and Eagles struggled, the USFL’s Philadelphia Stars won the league championship and finished with an overall 16-2 record. They defeated Tampa Bay, 24-21, in the league final.

Former Penn State quarterback Chuck Fusina was the league MVP.

Memory Lane: Each week, I will look back at a former player, coach, manager, or media personality who was a part of our yesterday.

Do you remember Rick Schu? He was a first-and third baseman who made his Phillies debut on Sep. 1, 1984. In that season, Schu played in 17 games with a .276 average,

Schu played five seasons for the Phillies primarily as a backup and hit .250. He also played a year with Baltimore, a year with Montreal, a year with Detroit and one with California to finish a nine-year stint. His final year was with the Phillies in 1991. Schu had a career average of .246.