| School: Madison | Graduation Year: 1970 |
Year Inducted: 2019
Sports Played: Football, Basketball, Baseball
High School Honors: 1 Football letter. Team took 2nd in the City Playoffs.
1 Basketball letter.
4 Baseball letters. Played on the American Legion World Champion Contractor’s Inc. in 1969 as a Junior; played on back-to-back Oregon State High School Champions (Baseball) in Junior and Senior years; 1st Team All-PIL as a Senior, 1st Team All-State as a Senior.
Post High School Career: Oregon State University, 1 Baseball letter. Played Baseball and fast-pitch Softball until
he was 50. Worked in nuclear power for 45 years, retiring from Arizona Public Service and Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station in 2013. Worked as nuclear power consultant for 4 years.
Commentary:
When asked about inspiration and encouragement that made me a better athlete and more importantly, a better person, all the credit goes to my dad. He coached me from the time I was 3 up to the time I was 15 years old in Babe Ruth. He taught me how to hit, how to bunt, how to run bases, how to think baseball.
Using baseball, he taught me the difference between confidence and cockiness; he taught me to hustle on every play; he taught me to respect opponents by shaking hands with them after each game, win or lose; and he believed in the old cliche that it’s not whether you win or lose; it’s how you play the game. Those values were used throughout my life in the workplace; work hard, respect others, accept success with humility, admit when you’re wrong, and to genuinely care about the people around you. He cared about me and he cared about the kids he coached. Not only was he a good baseball coach, but he was a good teacher of strong values that he didn’t just preach; he lived them. I was blessed to have him as a father. I thank the Good Lord above for the honor of being his son.