| School: Benson | Graduation Year: 1989 |
Year Inducted: 2020
Sports Played: Football, Basketball, Track and Field
High School Honors: 1 Football letter, 2 each in Basketball and Track. On 1989 PIL & State Championship teams as a wide receiver. PIL and State Champion on the 4×400 Relay teams as a Junior and Senior. PIL and State Champion on the 4×100 Relay and the 200m dash as a Senior. Held the Benson 200m record of 21.5 for 30 years.
Post High School Career: Football letterman at Portland State University; 1st Team Big Sky as a wide receiver. Earned BA degree in Communications and Psychology. Signed with the Atlanta Falcons and went on to play in the Canadian Football League and overseas. He was a Tech Service Rep for Leopold & Stevens, and was a long time print model for Nike in local newspaper ads, sport Magazines & movie covers. He passed away on December 15, 2017
Commentary:
On behalf of Derek Baldwin we want thank the PIL for honoring him in the 2020 Hall of Fame. He would be thrilled to know that he is finally here amongst fellow teammates and coaches. Derek’s life was greatly shaped by the many opportunities and experiences he gained from athletics. He always had a story to tell and it would usually end with a laugh and a lesson. We know he is with us in spirit and will continue watching over sons Derek II and Royal as they carry on his legacy. As DB would say, “Be easy, life is hard enough.”