| School: Grant | Graduation Year: 1974 |
Year Inducted: 2016
Sports Played: Football, Cross Country, Basketball, Track and Field
High School Honors: 1-year Letterman each in Football, Basketball, and Cross Country.
3-year Track & Field Letterman, PIL Champion Pole Vault, Grant record holder, Senior; State Decathlon Champion, Senior.
Post High School Career: Graduated Linfield College; Track & Field Team Captain, placed in top three in various decathlon events. Competed in four NAIA National Championship decathlons. Taught High School Math. Assistant Track & Field Coach at Oregon City, Head Cross Country and Track & Field Coach at Marshall 1985-90. The last 18 years at Grant High School as Head Cross Country and Track & Field Coach. Had 14 teams trophy at the State Cross Country and Track & Field Championships.
Commentary:
Looking back on walking the halls, gyms, and fields of Grant High School for over four decades, I have great memories of being a General. I am the son of a teacher and coach, I was a student and an athlete, and I was a teacher and coach. What did I learn from all those years?
First, be true to the Blue and Gray. Grantonians support each other and are proud of both the academic and athletic programs of the school.
Second, athletics start in the classroom. I had many great teachers. They inspired me to get a great education, go on to college, then return to become a teacher at Grant.
Third, the coaches made the athletic programs successful. They taught me great fundamentals, how to work hard, and how to win with humility. They were great role models. Coaches Ed Rooney, Gary Noble, and Mark Cotton (my father) helped mold me into the man I am today.
Fourth, the team was number one. Each athlete was an individual, but we learned we could accomplish so much more by working together. We pushed each other in practice and in competition. I remember the bus rides, the celebrations of victories, and the defeats. Together we became stronger.