School: Madison | Graduation Year: 1987 |
Year Inducted: 2020
Sports Played: Volleyball, Basketball, Softball
High School Honors: 4 Volleyball Letters and 3 each in Basketball and Softball. In Volleyball, 2nd Team All-PIL and Team Captain as a Senior. In Basketball, 1st Team All-PIL as a Junior and Senior; 2nd Team as a Sophomore; 1st Team All-State as a Senior. Metro-State allstar games. On Oregon All-Star team that played in Arizona BCI tournament. In Softball, 1st Team All-PIL as a Sophomore and Senior; 2nd Team as a Junior. 1st Team All-State as a Senior shortstop. 2nd Place in State Championship as a Freshman center-fielder. Student Body Vice President. 4-year GPA 3.5.
Post High School Career: Softball scholarship to Central Arizona JC on 2 National Championship teams. University of Oklahoma 3 years, BS degree in PE. 2nd Team All-Big 8 softball team and team captain as a Senior. All-Big 8 Academic team as Junior and Senior. Master’s Degree in PE from Azusa Pacific, 1997. Head Softball Coach at Mt. San Antonio CC in So. Calif. for 11 years (8 Conference titles and 4 State titles; Coach of the Year 5 times); In 8th year as Head Coach at Cal State Fullerton; 4 Conference titles and 4 consecutive Big West Coach of the Year awards. Inducted California CC Hall of Fame, 2017.
Commentary:
It absolutely made my day getting the phone call from Coach Gasser and sharing the news that I was selected to go into the PIL Hall of Fame. All the memories came flooding back and there is no doubt I stayed in athletics throughout my career because of my experiences at Madison High School. I remember the stadiums with Coach Erdman—the open gyms early Saturday morning; playing 3 sports was just a way of life; all the incredible upper-classmen that showed me the way; playing in the state championship on the softball field with my sister and 3 cousins on the same team; and coaches that helped shape my coaching philosophy. I would like to accept this award in my basketball teammates name, Yolanda Holmes. We lost her my senior year and what a special human being she was. The ultimate definition of teammate.
In reflection, the most valuable lessons in my life have been learned through sport. Sport saved me in High School. I very easily could have made some bad decisions in my teenage years but my team and coaches taught me the value of commitment, sacrifice and that I was a part of something bigger than just our win – loss records. We did a lot of winning at Madison but the behind the scenes hard work was real. In a era where you are supposed to pick one sport and focus on it solely by the age of ten I feel so lucky to been able to play multiple sports. The cross training saved the wear and tear, being a part of 3 different teams in one year was magical and I can truly say I loved each sport. Those 3 month seasons got all of me. So many gifts I have taken into my 29 years of coaching collegiate softball. I feel like I have the best job in the world and once again my roots come from the Portland Interscholastic League. I am a proud PIL alumnus!
Lastly, thank you to all of the Hall of Fame members from the past, present and future. What a special club to be a part of. Thank you for the tough love and inspiration from my coaches. I appreciate all the hard work and dedication that the PIL board has put into this process and event. My family is second to none. I am grateful you have supported me on my journey through sport and life. To my daughter stand tall and bust through those glass ceilings. I am honored and humbled to be named to the PIL Hall of Fame. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Go Senators!