| School: Madison | Graduation Year: 1973 |
Year Inducted: 2017
Sports Played: Football, Basketball, Baseball
High School Honors: 2-year Football letterman. 1st Team All-PIL and All-Metropolitan Area, and 2nd Team All-State as a Senior wide receiver.
3-year Basketball letterman. 2nd Team All-PIL as a Senior.
2-year Baseball letterman. Pitched in State Final Game as a Sophomore.
Post High School Career: Graduated in Education from OSU, 1978; lettered 1 year in Baseball. Freshman Football Coach at Wilson, 1979; Varsity Pitching Coach at Madison in early 1980’s, won 4 PIL titles. Taught 17 years at Fernwood Middle School, Physical Education, Health and Math. Bellman at Portland Sheraton Hotel for 5 years. Volunteer for Special Olympics.
Commentary:
Upon learning of my selection to the PIL Hall of Fame, I was filled with gratitude for my teammates and coaches. What a privilege it was to work as a pitching coach alongside Jeff Erdman and Dave Gasser and to work with three PIL Hall of Famers, Rich Rosemus, Kent Bottenfield, and Darren Wittcke.
My Dad passed away when I was two and my bothers Ron and Steve were four and six. We pulled together as a family. Mom didn’t remarry and often held two jobs to to see that we had what we needed for practice and games. She would alter her work schedule so she could attend our games.
Early coaches Jim Webb and Tom Petke were inspirational. Petke showed his confidence in me by pitching me as a sophomore in the State finals against Corvallis.
I’m truly grateful and humbled to be inducted into the PIL Hall of Fame.