| School: Grant | Graduation Year: 1969 |
Sports Played: Football, Baseball
Year Inducted: 2023
High School Honors: 3 Football letters. 1st Team All-PIL as a Junior and Senior in Football with League Championships both years. Defensive MVP in Shrine All-Star Game as a Senior.
3 Baseball letters. 2nd team All-PIL as a Senior in Baseball, also a championship season.
Member of Grant Hall of Fame.
Post High School Career: Played Football at Portland State University on a full scholarship in 1969 and 1970, but an injury in 1971 ended his grid career. John coached Sunset youth football 7th graders for 17 years. He had a career in food services which included lobbying five different times in Washington D.C. to get a farm bill passed so children had nutritious school meals. He was President of the Oregon School Food Service Association. In 1995 John created the Tualatin Valley Youth Football League, now the 2nd largest youth football league in the country with more than 7500 players in grades 3 through 8. He coached Liberty baseball in 2018-2019.
Commentary:
Many people inspired my achievements. First it was the Nuns who taught me to do things correctly and to complete the job you start (“”Commitment to Excellence).”” My Family taught me the value of doing things right the first time. My younger brother (11 months and 19 days apart) gave me someone who I competed with and honed my skills for the games I would compete in. (Of course, I had to be better because I was older). My Dad (John R), John Lake and Frank Wolfe were very influential in making me the person I am today. My teammates were the best. We won a lot because we worked for it, along with having talented players. My wife Colleen especially inspired me to be the best Coach and example for the young men I had the privilege of coaching and being the father figure many needed
In all my years in coaching and playing I learned how important it is to give back to the community.