how do you know this

>From: **************************** <vw4x4@VERIZON.NET>
>Reply-To: **************************** <vw4x4@VERIZON.NET>
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Re: Have you ever broken a clutch by push starting a vehicle?
>Date: Sun, 25 Nov 2007 02:04:50 -0600
>
>Is this a syncro?  If so you blew up the clutch
>disc from cerntrifical force... Ask me how I know this...
>
>
>
>
>From: Clint Kolda <clint_kolda@YAHOO.COM>
>Date: 2007/11/24 Sat PM 08:36:17 CST
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Have you ever broken a clutch by push starting a vehicle?
>
>Our Thanksgiving campout started great.  Thursday's traditional meal cooked
>in dutch ovens turned out perfect.  The weather was cool but sunny.  We had
>the entire campground to ourselves.  It was awesome.
>
>   Friday morning it was about 15 degrees F.  It's time like these when you
>find out the status of your 5 year old battery.  You guessed it.  The van
>would not start.  I placed some charcoal in aluminum foil under the engine
>to try to warm it up a bit.  Then we decided to push start it.  Like a
>dummy I had parked on a slight hill so we had to go up before anything was
>going to happen.  We unloaded as much as we could and my wife and I pushed
>while my 10 year old son maneuvered the steering wheel.  He really enjoyed
>his first time driving.  We pushed a few hundred yards across flat land
>until we reached a big downhill section.  I got in, popped the clutch and
>we were off and running.
>
>   The van made it the 20 miles home, but it would not go into gear.  I
>matched the revs and we were able to get by OK.  First gear is impossible,
>2-3-4 are tough to engage unless the revs are exact.  With the clutch
>depressed, it sounds like marbles are rolling around in a can.  With the
>engine off I can get it in any gear.  I definitely broke something.  I
>guess I'll probably park it until spring and put in a clutch kit.  Are
>there any other things to replace at the same time that I should ask of
>Santa?
>
>   My sons have a good moral to the story.  They really thought it was a
>fun adventure but they suggest that next time we park downhill.
>
>   Clint