| School: Wilson | Graduation Year: 1961 |
Year Inducted: 2022
Sports Played: Basketball, Baseball
High School Honors: 2 Basketball letters, 1st Team All-PIL as a Junior and Senior, 1st Team All-State, All-Tournament and team MVP as a Senior.
2 Baseball letters.
Post High School Career: Southern Methodist University, 3-year Basketball starter, member of SW Conference Championship team and Co-Captain in Senior year. Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, 1965. Initially in the Steel Industry with Jones & Laughlin (Pittsburgh), then Davis Walker and Francosteel Corp. in Northern California. Since 1988 an investor with several companies and presently owner operator of Custom Logo in the golf industry. Founder of Piedmont Baseball Foundation, 1980. Member of Wilson Hall of Fame.
Commentary:
I have always believed that participating in competitive sports has, to a large degree, formed my values and the way in which I try to live.
Sports teach all the lessons necessary for one to succeed in life; value of competition, patience, teamwork, ability to learn from others and the setting of goals.
I have been lucky to have had a mentor and, in my case, a surrogate father. Jack Dunn was my neighbor growing up in Portland, and from around age 10, took me under his wing and taught me most of what I now know about the importance of sportsmanship and participation. Jack was the earliest, and most important, influence in my sports life, and the lessons learned by being around Jack resonate to this day.
Chuck Stevenson and Bob Webster at Wilson HS were also pivotal influences in my high school life, and Doc Hayes, the long-term basketball coach at SMU assumed that role once I enrolled at SMU in 1961.
The lessons learned through participation in competitive athletics have certainly enhanced the importance of team building, organization and leadership. Thanks to all the people who have worked tirelessly over the years to make the PIL what it is today. I am honored to be inducted into the PIL Hall of Fame. My only regret is that we were never able to defeat Grant in basketball during my years at Wilson.