| School: Washington | Graduation Year: 1974 |
Year Inducted: 2016
Sports Played: Football, Basketball, Track and Field
High School Honors: 1-year Football Letterman.
1-year Basketball Letterman.
4-year Track & Field Letterman. PIL Champion, 100 yard (10.0), 220 yard (22.1) and 440 yard (44.1) relays; State Champion, 100 yard (9.6) and 220 yard (21.5), Senior. MAC Scholar Athlete Award, Senior; Vere Windnagle Award for "Most Inspirational" Junior, Senior (Windnagle, PIL HOF, 2004); Washington Athlete of the Year, Senior.
Post High School Career: University of Oregon, 1979; 3-year Track & Field Letterman. Held Job Corps positions in Recreation and Athletic Management at Tongue Point and Springdale; coached sprinters at three track clubs; coached High School Track & Field at Parkrose, De LaSalle North Catholic, Ft. Vancouver, and presently Grant. Also serving as a Correctional Counselor for the Oregon Department of Corrections. In 2009, received the Humanitarian Award for Volunteer Track & Field Coach of the Year.
Commentary:
I am truly humbled and honored to be inducted into the PIL Hall of Fame. My heart is filled with gratitude, first for my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, then my parents and extended family, my teachers and coaches— Miss Terry, Nate Jones, Coaches Harold Washington, Tom Jones, Darrell Tucker, Walt Aldridge, and Phil Walden— all of whom encouraged me to keep pushing forward and not give up.
Early on I had a love for sports. I would play basketball, football, baseball or just race down the block with my friends and family all day in the streets in front of my house.
Growing up in a poor environment, I watched my father work hard to make ends meet. I was inspired by black professional athletes such as baseball player Bob Gibson. I wanted to do the same thing so that I would be able to lift my family out of our financial struggles.
At Washington I lettered a year each in football and basketball, but with the encouragement of friends Robert Shaw and Vincent Wood I tried track as a sprinter. Each year I improved, which led me to the University of Oregon where I had the fastest 220yard dash time for the Ducks. I became a three-time letterman and excelled until I injured my hamstring and missed qualifying for the US Olympic Trials by a tenth of a second. I received a BS degree in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation.
Over the years, I have worn many different hats. As a husband, father, grandfather, mentor, counselor, and coach, I am mindful to model the life lessons I’ve learned through athletics. I am dedicated to passing those invaluable lessons on to my family, friends, to my athletes, and as a Correctional Counselor for the State of Oregon Department of Corrections. Thanks to all who have influenced my life for your love and support.