| School: Cleveland (Commerce) | Graduation Year: 1995 |
Year Inducted: 2019
Sports Played: Wrestling
High School Honors: 4 Wrestling letters. PIL champion as Sophomore 98 lbs, Junior 106 lbs, Senior 106 lbs. 3rd Place State finishes as Sophomore and Junior in both Greco Roman and Freestyle. On Junior National Team to Nationals and New Zealand in Senior year. Don York Outstanding Wrestler as Senior.
2 years on Dance Team, City Champions and 3rd in State as Senior. Student Body President as Senior.
Post High School Career: BA Degree in Business Administration (minor in Management Information Systems) at Oregon State University, 1999; Vice President and President of OSU Memorial Union. Coached Youth Softball, T-Ball, and Wrestling in Beaverton and Tigard. 19 years with Windsor Solutions; Senior Manager developing software in support of government environmental agencies. President, McKay Elementary PTA.
Commentary:
My time in the PIL and at Cleveland was an important one for my growth into adulthood and my experience in athletics had a lasting impact. This impact came from the relationships and community built through these programs and the character traits instilled.
I played many sports over the years, but the sport where I earned the most success, was Wrestling. This sport taught me many things, including mental strength, humility, the power of setting goals and leadership. For me, Wrestling became a year around commitment which helped teach me how diligence and dedication could pay rewards, and how to balance my many responsibilities.
Through sports, I was also able to travel and experience new locations across the city, state, country and world. This experience literally showed me a whole other side of the world and changed my perspective, beginning what has become a lifelong passion to travel and explore.
During these years, I had the honor of being coached by a number of great local coaches, many of whom are still involved in the local sports community today. These coaches taught me many skills which I use to this day as a teammate, as a coach, as a leader and as a father.
I owe a special debt of gratitude to my friend and high school wrestling coach, Jeff Zerba. Through his actions, the way he overcame his own adversity and his encouragement, he inspired me to be better, to be confident in my abilities and to get out of my comfort zone, in and outside of sports. For me, and for many others, he helped change my trajectory in many positive ways, and for that I am forever grateful.
As youth coach and a father of two, I hope that I’m able to share just a little of what I learned during this time and from these leaders.