School: Franklin | Graduation Year: 1996 |
Year Inducted: 2016
Sports Played: Football, Baseball, Track and Field
High School Honors: 2-year Football Letterman, PIL 1st Team Junior, Senior; State 3rd Team, Senior. Offensive Player of the Year, Shrine All-Star, Gridiron Greats of the West Region, Senior.
2-year Basketball Letterman.
3-year Track & Field letterman, PIL 3rd Place 110 High Hurdles, Long Jump.
Post High School Career: Walla Walla Community College, 2-year Letterman; Semi-pro NW Football League Mult. Co. Bucaneers Running Back, 2001-03 (National champions in 2001).
Urban Restaurants, Inc. Lead Server Trainer specializing in the hospitality industry, catering for organizations such as the Portland Trailblazers and companies such as Nike and Adidas.
Commentary:
Athletics in high school was such a great learning part of my life. My parents, coaches, teachers and friends had such a huge impact on it. A lot of what I learned then I still use today in everyday adulthood. Growing up in Southeast Portland I had a lot of friends that I competed against for years that pushed me to be the best that I could be, whether it be on the football field, on the basketball court or on the track field. With that came the numerous hours of practices, hard work, dedication and discipline.
I have to thank my parents for always being there for me. They were my biggest cheerleaders with love, support, encouragement and guidance; through winning with humbleness to dealing with defeat with gracefulness, day in and day out. No matter if it was here nor there, home or away, football or basketball camps they were always there taking time out of their own lives to better mine. I can only hope to pass that same love on to my daughter.
I was lucky enough to have some of the best coaches and teachers in my life that shared with me great wisdom, advice and tools that I needed to succeed throughout my high school career.
A quote I’ve always loved and lived by “The road to success and greatness is always paved with constant hard work. Outwork your competitors, be authentic and above all else chase your greatness.”
I am forever grateful for the opportunity I had playing high school sports in the PIL, the best league/conference in the state of Oregon. I will never forget where I came from or who I played for…. M.O.C. (Making of Champions) for life!