| School: Benson | Graduation Year: 1988 |
Sports Played: Cross Country, Basketball, Track and Field
Year Inducted: 2023
High School Honors: 1 Cross Country letter. 1 Basketball letter.
3 Track & Field letters. Second in 110m high hurdles as a Sophomore; 2nd in 110m and 300m hurdles as Junior. City Champion in both 110m and 300m hurdles as a Senior, set Benson record in both events that lasted 20 years. 2nd in State 300m hurdles as a Senior. Ran legs on Benson’s All-Time 4×400 Relay teams.
Post High School Career: Attended Lane Community College and was the 400m hurdles champion in 1989-1990. Served as a Bank Operations Manager for 20 years and presently nine years at American Airlines. Serves as an Elder and Musician for the Church of God in Christ in Dallas, Texas.
Commentary:
Growing up, I heard so many outstanding things about my family’s athletic talent (mainly aunts & uncles) and accomplishments they achieved in high school. One of my uncles made it to pro-football.
People in the neighborhood would stop by and tell me and my brothers how great of a runner my dad was and the records he held at Jefferson high school. As a young boy, I realized I had that talent too when I challenged my dad in a race and won. I heard him tell my mom that day, the boy is “fast”.
My competitive drive came from playing sports in my neighborhood with my brothers. We would push each other to be better than all the other neighborhood kids we played with. It was my dad who inspired me to run track, although I wanted to be a football player. However, my track athletic ability was noticed in the 8th grade during Field Day, by several teachers. I went out for the track team that same year. My first time ever trying the High Jump, I made it to the Regional Junior Olympics. That made me extremely happy and I continued my track and field career.
My older brother was attending Benson high School at the time and my mom wanted me to go there as well. It was there that I met Mr. Leon McKenzie. Who reinforced that I wasn’t a football player, (lol) and that he was going to make me a track star.
Recognizing my leaping ability, he asked me to try running hurdles. I did and broke the PIL freshman 110m hurdle record at the city meet. Over the next four years, many coaches such as John Mayes, Dick Gray, Mr. Gerber would help shape my athletic career. I appreciate Mr. McKenzie. He was a greatly skilled coach and motivator. He saw my potential and worked with me every step of the way
I would like to thank my parents for always being there and supporting me in my athletics. Growing up as a Pastor’s kid, we spent a lot of time attending church. But they would make sacrifices when it came to attending my brothers and my sporting events and also making sure we were well-equipped to compete. I recall my dad changing his church services just to attend our games. He would attend every track meet I would have.
In 1986, I asked my younger brother Eric, to draw a picture of me jumping a hurdle. My plan was to put it on the back of my letterman jacket, and I did! It would be the first of that kind in the PIL. I remember my mom driving all around Portland to find a place that did embroidery on the back of a letterman jacket. Two weeks later, she made it happen. The support from my parents and brothers was amazing.
Through playing sports I’ve learned valuable lessons. How to be a team player, work hard, and how to prepare for success in life. Someone said success is 99% of preparation. You may not win every race, but as long as you finish your assignment you are a winner.
It was on the track that I met my wife, my high school sweetheart. Fast forward, we have been married for 34 years with two children and four grandchildren. Yes, my athletic career has been rewarding!
I give God the praise and honor for the gift and talent he gave to me and all the experiences they have afforded me. I would also like to say, thank you to the PIL HOF selection committee for this honor and recognition.