Athletes Dave Edwards, Class of 1940(represented by son, Scott Edwards) Track: Four varsity letters in track. PIL three-time winner and record setter in 200 yard low hurdles, 120 high hurdles and 880 relay. 1938: Broke Bobby Grayson’s 1931 PIL and State record in 200 low hurdles (23.6). 1939: Broke his own PIL and State record in 120 high hurdles (15.4) and was City Meet high point trophy winner. 1940: Broke his own 1939 PIL and State record in 200 low hurdles (22.6), broke his own record in 120 high hurdles (15.3), and helped set new PIL record in 880 relay (1:32.7). Basketball: Three-year letterman in basketball, two-year starter, team leader and one of leading scorers. Additional: Student Body President. While at Whitman College he continued competing in basketball and track. During World War II, Dave was in the Air Corps as a B-17 pilot and flew 28 successful missions over Germany. Upon returning he went back to college and received a degree from University of Oregon. Business career: Hoch and Selby (fabric supply house recovering residential furniture).
Jim McGregor, Class of 1940 Track and Cross Country: Mile Champion of 1940 City Meet and winner of three Northwest Cross Country meets. Basketball: Three varsity letters in basketball. Swimming: Jim also excelled in swimming; won Lake Oswego 3 mile, Columbia River 5 mile and Astoria Regatta. Coaching: PIL varsity basketball and track coach at Benson High (1946-48), assisted in basketball and track at University of Southern California (1948-50), head coach at Whitworth College (1950-53), Inland Empire Coach of Year for 1952. For 20 years Jim internationally coached the Italy, Greece, Austria, Sweden, Turkey, Morocco national teams, as well as teams that qualified for Olympics and competed in Pan American Games. His women’s teams participated in three World Championships: two for Peru and one for Columbia. Read about his career in his book, Called for Travelling.
Bill Deeks, Class of 1943 (represented by his widow, Helen Deeks) Football: Captain and All-City (PIL) End on 1942 football team that lost to Franklin for PIL championship. Played in Milk Fund All-Star game. Baseball and Track: Versatile enough to be a dual threat during spring sport season: An outstanding pitcher on the baseball team and excelled in track and field in the javelin and as the ’42 and ’43 City Champion shot putter. Additional: Bill served in the Marines and Navy during World War II, then attended Oregon State and University of Portland. He was a display advertising salesman for Smith’s Home Furnishings, the Oregon Journal and, after he and his wife moved to Pendleton, for the East Oregonian.
Judge Robert E. Jones, Class of 1945 Golf: Better known as Bobby Jones when he was a 4-year letterman on Grant’s golf team, Bobby played on three PIL championship teams, and was captain of undefeated 1945 PIL and State Champions. During the 1945 Individual State Championship, his claim to fame was that he beat Bunny Mason (who became a famous PGA pro) in a playoff for the state championship. Additional: Bobby went to college at University of Hawaii, Lewis and Clark College, and Northwestern School of Law. He was president of the Oregon Circuit Judges Association; judge with the Circuit Court of Multnomah County from 1963-83, a justice on the Oregon Supreme Court from 1983-90, and a US district judge from 1990-present. Judge Jones has received many judicial honors and awards.
Don Stamm, Class of 1946 After moving to Portland from Tucson, Arizona, Don made a big impression at Grant. Football: Don was the starting end on the 1944 football team that finished 6-1, losing only to Roosevelt during the PIL football championship. He was All-City (PIL) end on our 9-0 City and State Championship team. Don scored both touchdowns in 14-6 victory over Jefferson for City Championship in the final game of 1945 PIL season with a 27-yard pass reception and a 65-yard touchdown dash after a blocked punt. He led all receivers and tied for 2nd in PIL in touchdowns. Don also helped Grant beat Medford's powerful "Black Tornado" 7-6, and shut out Hood River 13-0 for the State Championship. Track: Don also excelled in track, where he was 1945 PIL 440 Champion (53.5), ran on 1946 winning mile relay team, and was on the winning shot put relay team at City Meet. Additional: Don was Grant's Senior Class President, and went to college at Stanford and Lewis and Clark. His business career was with Stamm, Stuart, Bauer Insurance.
Pete Withers, Class of 1946 (represented by his son, Peter Withers, who came from New Mexico, along with a big family delegation from California!) Football: In 1943 (as a sophomore), Pete was named 2nd team All-City (PIL) fullback. He was an All-City guard on the 1944 PIL Championship football team, and captain and All-City guard on “Mush” Torson’s 1945 PIL and State Championship team. Skiing and hockey: Pete competed in two winter sports. He was a 4-year letterman on the Grant ski team, leading Generals to 1942 and 1943 City Championships. He also was an intimidating force for three years on Grant’s ice hockey team. Additional: Pete attended the University of Washington, and followed that with a career in the Army, where he retired as a colonel. After retiring, he worked as a life insurance salesman.
Chuck Oettinger, Class of 1949(represented by his friend and classmate, Ron Allen, the originator, president, and CEO of the State Games of Oregon.) Football: Chuck was All-City (PIL) guard on the 1947 and 1948 football teams, and played in the Shrine All-Star football game. Swimming: He also excelled on the Grant swim team. Additional: Chuck played football as freshman at Oregon State University, before a sudden illness ended his collegiate education and his life.
Dale Duff, Class of 1950(Represented by his widow, Judy Duff) Football: Dale was All-City (PIL) halfback and league-leading scorer on Ted Ogdahl’s undefeated (11-0) 1949 City and State Championship football team, a team that many regard as the best of all Grant football teams to wear the blue and gray. They were unscored upon in 8 of those 11 games. The Generals hit their peak in the state playoffs, outscoring their three opponents--Central Catholic, Hillsboro and La Grande--71-0! Ultimately, Dale led the entire state in scoring. He also participated in the Shrine All-Star football game. Track: Dale also competed in shot put for 1950 PIL Champion track team. Additional: Dale attended Oregon State University, and had a business career as corporate production manager of Norpac Foods in Stayton, OR.
Virginia May Enos, Class of 1950 Swimming: State Champion in three events. In 1948: 100-yard backstroke (1.21.9); 1949: Helped Grant win State Championship by winning 100-yard breaststroke (1.19.2), a state record that stood for seven years. She teamed with Judy Cornell and Eleanor Molby in winning 150-yard medley (1.44.3). Additional: Virginia swam for Washington Athletic Club and at AAU events throughout Pacific Northwest and British Columbia. She also swam for and earned a master’s degree at the University of Hawaii, and has lived in Honolulu for many years. Virginia competed in many open water swims, including the National Master’s Swim at age of 69, where she finished 2nd in 100-yard backstroke and 4th in the 200-yard backstroke.
Patsy Heard, Class of 1951 Tennis: Patsy was the State Singles Champion for three consecutive years (1949, 1950, and 1951) and was ranked as a top player in her class in Pacific Northwest. She competed in prestigious tournaments at Irvington Club, and was runner-up in women’s singles in City of Portland Tournament in 1949 and Champion in women’s doubles in 1948 and 1950. Patsy was also the runner-up in women’s singles in Oregon State Tournament in 1950 and 1951, and the champion in women’s doubles in 1951 and runner-up in 1954. Additional: Patsy also won the Oregon State Junior Women’s Badminton Championship in 1950 and 1951.
Jim Ruggles, Class of 1951 Baseball: A 3-year letterman in varsity baseball, Jim was also a 1950 All-City (PIL) first baseman, and the 1951 All-City and All-State first baseman for Grant’s City and State Championship team. Basketball: Jim also played two years of varsity basketball. Additional: He continued to excel in baseball at Oregon State (1952-55), and played on 1952 Pacific Coast Conference Championship team that went to College World Series. Jim was inducted with that team into the Oregon State Hall of Fame. He was also inducted into Sigma Delta Psi National Honorary for Athletic Achievement.
Pete Williams, Class of 1951 Baseball: Pete was a 2-year letterman in varsity baseball and team captain in 1951. He was All-City (PIL) and All-State shortstop for Grant’s City and State Champions. Also while at Grant, Pete was team captain of Grant’s American Legion State Champs team, and a member of the Honor Society. Additional: Pete continued to excel in baseball at University of Oregon, where he played four years, and was team captain. He was named to the 1954 and 1955 All-Northern Division teams and All-Regional 3rd baseman. The Ducks won final game of Regional Tournament in Eugene 1-0 over Fresno State on Pete’s home run, and advanced to Omaha for the College World Series. Pete received the UO Emerald Award for athletic and academic achievement. He was on the UO Foundation and Board of Trustees. His career was in sales of stocks and bonds at Strand, Atkinson, Williams and York Brokerage. Pete was the president of Securities Dealers of Oregon, and he was also on the National Board of Directors for the Securities Industry Assn. Additionally, he served on numerous civic and philanthropic boards and committees.
Jim Rice, Class of 1955 Baseball: Jim played on three PIL Championship teams from 1953-55. He was All-City (PIL) first baseman in 1954 and 1955, and captain of 1955 team. Additional: Jim went on to University of Oregon where he played for three years (1957-59) and was member of the team that won the 1957 Pacific Coast Conference Northern Division Championship. He also played in a Portland City League from 1958-59 and 1962-65. Jim coached baseball and basketball at Beaverton High for 18 years, and was a member of Oregon Coaches Association for 30 years. Active in community service, he was PTA president of Laurelhurst Grade School, a charter member of Gateway Elks (42 years), and a member of Order of the O (University of Oregon Letterman’s Club) for 51 years.
Rick Soller, Class of 1961 Baseball: Rick was a four-year varsity letterman and a member of 1958 State Championship team. He was an All-City (PIL) pitcher in 1960 and 1961, posting an 8-2 record and phenomenal 117 strikeouts in 1961. His PIL career pitching record is 17-5, 218 strikeouts, and 1.54 earned run average. Rick hhrew four no-hitters, three for Porter Scarpelli, Grant’s American Legion team. Single season and career stats place him at or near the top of PIL all-time pitching records for win-loss percentage, strikeouts and earned run average. Additional: Rick served as a Navy pilot and physician (retired). He also coached Little League and Babe Ruth baseball.
Wes Austin, Class of 1962 Wes was a versatile multi-sport athlete with four varsity letters in football, three in basketball, and three in track. Football: 1961 All-City (PIL) halfback. Basketball: Starting guard on 1962 basketball team. Track: Ran on Grant’s 1962 PIL champion 880-relay team in record-setting time of 1:31.3, which broke Jefferson’s 1958 record by 0.3 seconds. They went on to break their own record a week later in City Meet (1:30)! Wes ran the 100 in 10.1, coming in third behind Butch Lumby. He was also 2nd in the long jump (22'5"). Additional: Wes continued to compete in football and track at Columbia Basin Junior College, then worked for Portland Public Schools and returned to Grant as a coach.
Butch Lumby, Class of 1962 Butch triple-lettered for three years in football and track. Track: During the 1960 City Meet--as sophomore--Butch ran the 100 yard dash in 9.8 to break a PIL record set in 1940. He was the 1961 and 1962 PIL Champ in 100 and 220. In 1962, re ran the 100 (9.9), 220 (21.8), and anchored the PIL record-setting 440 relay (43.9). Other accomplishments include 1961 and 1962 State Champ in 100 and 220 (in ‘62, he tied state record in 220 (21.8, set in 1933)). Football: Butch was an explosive running back and punt returner. Additional: He continued to excel in track at Oregon State University, and was Pacific Coast Conference Champ in 100 and 220. Butch taught high school for 10 years and coached track for 23 years in Portland at Jackson High, and also in San Jose and Los Gatos, CA. He is retired from a successful career in construction business.
Ron Brown, Class of 1968 Ron lettered three years in track, two years in football, and two years in wrestling; he was an outstanding multi-sport athlete. Track: 1967 and 1968 PIL Champion in high hurdles, low hurdles and 440 relay. 1968 trophy winner for high point man at State Meet: State Champion in high hurdles, 2nd in low hurdles, anchored 2nd place finish on 440 relay team. Football and wrestling: Ron played on the 1967 PIL Championship football team and was one of the stalwarts on wrestling team. Additional: Ron competed successfully in track at the University of Oregon, and returned to Grant as assistant track coach.
Bill Flowers, Class of 1969 Basketball: Bill played three years of varsity basketball. In 1969, he was All-PIL and All-State on Ed Rooney’s basketball team that won PIL title (15-1) and State Championship. Total team record: 26-1. Bill was a consistent scorer and proficient rebounder, and scored the winning basket in quarterfinals of state tournament to edge Klamath Falls, 61-60. He also helped lead Grant to four straight tournament victories and first State Basketball Championship. Additional: Bill ran cross country for a year. He was an honor student and went on to attend Washington State University. Graduate degree as a Doctor of Chiropractic.
Diane Van Gorder, Class of 1980 Diane was a four-year starter in basketball, softball, and volleyball. Basketball: She was a play-making guard on the undefeated 1980 PIL Championship basketball team (19-0), which finished 4th in the state tournament with a total record of 26-1. Softball: Diane was a pitcher, infielder, and power hitter on Caroline Fitzwater’s softball team. In 1980, they finished second in PIL (13-5), beating Astoria and Hillsboro in the state playoffs. Volleyball: She played all positions on volleyball team. Additional: For 22 years, Diane played slow pitch softball in tournaments throughout US. In 1991, she was an All-Team selection for the national champions, Portland Reign, and in 2000, Diane was an All-American selection on the gold medal team in the Nike World Masters Softball Tournament. Additional: With an Associate degree in physical therapy, Diane was a director of Rehab and Therapist. She also volunteered at the Union Gospel Mission.
Tami Fitzpatrick Chauncey, Class of 1996 Softball: Tami played three years on the varsity softball team, where she was captain, All-PIL shortstop and catcher. Volleyball: She played varsity volleyball for three years, and here was captain, and named to the second team All-PIL as an outside hitter. Basketball: Tami played varsity basketball all four years at Grant and was a captain for two of them. She received an honorable mention All-PIL.0 Additional: In 1996, Tami received Vern Butts' Best All Around Athlete Award. She was a member of the Honor Society, and our Rose Festival Princess. Tami attended the University of Portland, and went on to work as a nurse at Legacy Emanuel, where she was the lead RN for the Center of Women’s Health. Additionally, she was an OHSU nominee for Nurse of the Year.
COACHES Rob Kennewell '77 Coach Kennewell was at Grant from 1983-2011. A Grant graduate, he played basketball (3 years varsity) and baseball (3 years varsity). He attended college at Western State in Oregon, where he played basketball for four years and baseball for two. Rob returned to Grant in 1983 as a health teacher and the baseball coach, where he began as the freshmen coach, then the long-time varsity baseball coach...for a total of 28 years. His teams had consistent winning seasons and PIL championships in 1990, 1991, 1996, 2003, and 2006. Grant teams made it to the semifinals of the state tournament in 2003 and 2006. Coach Kennewell also served as assistant basketball coach of PIL and State Championship teams.
James “Mush” Torson(represented by his granddaughter, Sarah Torson) Coach Torson was at Grant from 1937-46, where he coached football, basketball, and baseball. 1944: Assistant football coach. 1945: Head football coach of undefeated City Champions (7-0) and State Champions (10-0), defeating Hood River 13-0 for State Championship. Basketball coach, dating back to 1937. Head baseball coach from 1944-46. Before Grant, Coach Torson was an Outstanding Athlete at Oregon State University in basketball and baseball (.400 batting average over 3-year period). He was head basketball coach for six years at Corvallis High School, winning a state championship in 1936, just before coming to Grant. After leaving Grant he became the head basketball coach at the University of Portland.