| School: Grant | Graduation Year: 1969 |
Sport Played: Track and Field
Year Inducted: 2024
High School Honors: 3 Track & Field letters. PIL and State Champion in Shot Put and PIL Champion in Discus as a Senior. Set Grant Shot Put record of 60’1” in 1969 that lasted 36 years, which was broken by PIL HOF member Ndamukong Suh in 2005. Undefeated in both events in PIL as a Senior. 2nd in Shot Put in National Jaycee Meet in 1969
Post High School Career: 3 letters in Track & Field at Stanford University, Co-Captain as a Senior. BA Degree in 1973, MBA and J.D. degrees in 1977. Won several academic and athletic awards in college career. Currently practices law (software and biotech contracts) in Andover, MA. Placed in top 10 in both Shot Put and Discus in 71-74 age group at National Masters meet in 2023. Older brother John R. Bakkensen, Grant 1961, was inducted into PIL Hall of Fame in 2023
Commentary:
My thanks go to my excellent coaches, Mark Cotton at Grant and Payton Jordan at Stanford. I suspect Coach Cotton may have recommended me for this award. I also thank my brother John, with whom I threw and lifted many, many, many times, in grade school, high school, college, and beyond. And I thank my parents, Manley and Helen Bakkensen, who were enthusiastic supporters, attended untold meets, rain or shine, and who helped organize the Portland Track Club, Portland Rose Festival Track Meet, and many summer all-comer meets