| School: Roosevelt | Graduation Year: 1966 |
Year Inducted: 2014
Sports Played: Football, Basketball
High School Honors: 3-year letter winner in basketball, HM All-PIL as junior; second team All-PIL and All-State as senior. Set Roosevelt scoring record, 40 points vs. Washington ’66, one of first 5 players in the PIL to score 40 or more; fourth in PIL scoring with 19.2 average as senior. Roosevelt’s Outstanding Athlete in Basketball, 1966.
Featured Member of the Month ~ April 2023
Post High School Career: Air Force, ’67; Portland State University, grad. ’71. Played on many AAU and City League basketball for 40 years; competed on the national level in water skiing for 40 years (still ranked in top 10 nationally for age division). Served 5 years on Portland State Athletic Board during Pokey Allen era. Co-founded American Benefits, Inc. in 1975, a multi-lines insurance brokerage; retired after 37 years in 2013.
Commentary:
I have many fond memories of playing PIL Basketball at Roosevelt High School. I remember the long practices with Coach Bergstrom, the locker room antics with my fellow teammates, Dave Johnson’s (PIL Hall of Fame Inductee) musical jock strap his aunt made for him, playing a game at the Memorial Coliseum against Jefferson High School, and my dad attending all may games.
This was a time when my coaches taught me about developing a strong worth ethic, to achieve my best on the basketball court, and in life. It was a time when I learned the power of being a team player and success it achieved. My dad always encouraged me to embrace coaching and learn from it.
I have used these principles throughout my working career to achieve success and have encourage my son Scott to do the same. (Scott earned All Conference and All State honors playing basketball and football for Central Catholic High School in 2007). Having the privilege of participating in PIL sports has had a huge impact on my life and I am thankful for that opportunity.