December 2023 PIL HOF Update - PIL Hall of Fame

6th Annual Pacific Office Automation Holiday Classic Girls Basketball Tournament

The PIL is excited to host the 6th annual Pacific Office Automation Holiday Classic Girls Basketball Tournament December 28th-30th at Lincoln, Grant, McDaniel and Franklin High Schools. They have over 100 teams and 1100 female student athletes committed from Oregon, Washington, California and Texas participating.

The tournament kicks off on December 27th at Grant High School with the Young Women’s Empowerment Program for all the participating teams and coaches. The YWEP is for female athletes to engage with former collegiate athletes that are now in a high caliber profession. Past guests have included former WNBA players, the Fire Chief of Portland, CEO’s and CFO's of large companies, former Olympic medalists and more. Dinner is provided followed by a keynote speaker and panel discussion.

As the tournament has grown, the desire to create an elite experience for female student-athletes, coaches and fans has become a priority. There is a need to access additional funding sources and donations to keep the cost of running the event a minimal cost and still provide the best experience for our young ladies. Entry prices have remained well below average of other premiere tournaments. Game workers are paid to assist teams, fans, and officials in order to provide this great experience. Hospitality rooms with catered lunches and dinners are provided for participating School Administrators, Sponsors, Coaches, and Officials and game workers.

Please see the Portland Holiday Classic website for further information.

Need an end of the year tax write-off?

Support PIL Student Athletes today and in the future by donating to the PIL HOF "PAYING IT FORWARD PROGRAM"

You Can Help for as Little as $5/month

Where do these donations go? The two programs below will be the primary beneficiaries:

College Access - is a program that the PIL fundraises annually to assist students from PIL to find post high school sport opportunities. Priority is given to students of color or underprivileged youth who attend Franklin, Jefferson, McDaniel and Roosevelt. Students receive a range of services: self-marketing, college visitations, coach relationships and consultation, college application and financial aid, transportation to school and cost associated with registration and housing.
Participation fees for PIL Youth Sport Program - PILYSP provide 5000 Middle School students with access to middle school sports. The purpose of the program is to increase the quality of girls' basketball, reduce migration to private schools, develop feeder programs to PIL high schools, and to install academic standards so they are prepared for high school athletics. The contribution will pay the participation fees for students who otherwise could not afford to participate. The cost is $200 per student or $65 for free and reduced lunch.

We will continue to use funds generated by the annual Mel Krause Memorial Golf Tournament to provide financial support and resources to PIL athletics at the request of PIL Athletic Director Marshall Haskins and his staff. This includes, but is not limited to helping offset participation fees, college access support, youth sport program, funding athletic trainers, providing athletic equipment and supplies, and helping with facilities upgrades and maintenance. These funds will also be used, if needed, to offset cost of the annual PIL HOF Induction Banquet.

Supporters have several levels of annual giving or “virtual brick” options:

Platinum at $25/month or $500 one-time
Gold at $20/month
Silver at $10/month
Bronze at $5/month
Also, a one-time gift in any amount to honor a special person in your life is available.
Additionally, we offer Planned Giving options. You can designate a specific amount, a percentage of your estate, or the residue of your estate to the PIL HOF and still provide for your loved ones. Some examples include Bequests in your Will or Living Trust, Beneficiary Designation, Charitable Trusts, Retirement Plan Gifts, Life Insurance, Charitable Gift Annuities, or Stocks & Other Securities. Please consider speaking to your tax advisor and/or lawyer to determine which Planned Giving strategy is best for you.

Please see giving options, the updated wall and donors at our Paying It Forward wall page.

The first 25-30 people to donate to the program will receive a PIL HOF Golf Hat or Workout Shirt while supplies last so please help with a one-time donation or a monthly donation for as little as $5/month

Bill Wiitala Field House Update

Congratulations to Bill Booth and Madison/McDaniel Alumni on their efforts to build the new Bill Wiitala Field House!

Bill Wiitala was a Roosevelt 1954 graduate and was inducted into the PIL HOF in 1992. Bill played baseball four years at University of Portland and was an NCAA All-Coast pitcher his senior year; coached 1963 and 1964 Madison baseball teams to state championships after winning PIL title each of those years; served as Madison AD from 1966 to 1988, before moving to the PIL District AD office until his retirement in 1991.

See Bill Wiitala's full PIL HOF profile.