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Nineteen former Grant High School athletes, and one coach, were added to the Grant Athletic Hall of Fame at the school auditorium on Monday, October 18, 2010. They joined 53 other athletes, and 10 coaches, who were honored at the 2009 inaugural event.
Grant students were on hand for the program, with the Royal Blues singing several selections, and the cheerleaders acting as ushers and award presenters. Principal Vivian Orlen gave greetings, as did retired principal Joe Malone. Gerry Spencer, ‘59 was co-emcee, and pianist was Ray Johnson, a Jefferson grad. Assisting in program preparation were committee members Wilson Walker, John Keller, Bob Holcomb, and Rodger Eddy. |
2010 Inductees
Athletes
Bob Likins, Class of 1940
Bob is our oldest honoree, and his award was accepted by his son, one of several family members at the ceremony. Likins was two-time All-American for javelin throwing at San Jose State College after breaking state and junior college javelin records and serving as captain of the Generals football team. Bob is now deceased.
Nancy Merki Boland, Class of 1943
Now living in North Carolina, Nancy was unable to attend, but sent a heartfelt message read by Pete Charlston, co-master of ceremonies. Nancy was one of the nationally famous "Cody Kids" who set national swim records competing for the Multnomah Athletic Club at a time when swimming was not yet a Portland Interscholastic League sport. Thus she became the first person named for achievement outside of PIL competition, although her national recognition occurred during her high school years at Grant, from which she was graduated in 1943 after serving as Girls’ League President.
Robert Jones, Class of 1945
Robert was a 4-year golf letterman and led the 1945 undefeated team with the individual state championship. He is still a U.S District Court judge.
Dan Torrey, Class of 1946
Now deceased, Dan was state golf champion a year after Jones and also excelled at basketball at Grant and at Oregon State College, playing on the 1949 Pacific Coast Conference championship team which finished fifth nationally.
Gordon Lenz, Class of 1948
Gordon excelled in football, basketball, and baseball, where he earned four of his ten varsity letters and he went on to two years as a professional.
Rollie Heath, Class of '55
Rollie was undefeated in the 1955 PIL title year, and later pitched for the University of Oregon, He was a Nestucca high coach for many years.
Jon Abraham, Class of 1957
Now deceased, Jon excelled in football, basketball, and track, where he won three events in the PIL meet, and was state champion in the 100-yard dash. He became track coach at Franklin high school where the track was named in his honor.
Riley Mattson, Class of 1957
Riley was all-PIL end and Shrine player, captain of the PIL co-champion basketball team and named to the all state team. He set the Grant high jump record in winning the PIL, and went on to an illustrious football career at the University of Oregion and the National Football League.
Jackie Rice, Class of 1958
Although a 4-year tennis letterwoman, Jackie gained greater fame when she started softball pitching for the Erv Lind Florist team where she gained world fame and coached at Milwaukie High School and the Oregon College of Education.
Chuck "Bumper" Wilson, Class of 1959
Chuck was a guard in basketball when the Generals were second in state with a 26-1 record, and was second baseman on the 1958 state champion baseball team. After a basketball career at Stanford, he became active in real estate and community development as well as mission work.
Ron Byers, Class of 1965
Ron led Grant to three PIL and state titles in spring and cross country track, where he won several individual state championships. He was also an all-PIL guard for the undefeated '64-'65 PIL basketball team. He competed for University of California after winning ten Grant letters.
Robin Sinclair, Class of 1970
Robin was a leading scorer and Shrine selection in football, and played on the '69-'70 state champion basketball team. Additionally he was all-league baseball pitcher, but went on to play football at Washington State University.
Artie Wilson, Class of 1970
Artie was All-City and All-State for the 1969 state championship basketball team, but also All-City and All-State as a baseball third baseman. He excelled in those at University of Hawaii, where he went on to coach for 20 years and became a civic leader.
Scott Jackson, Class of 1971
Scott won five state championships in track and cross country, and numerous PIL titles. He was also on the 1970 state champion track team.
Mark West, Class of 1986
Mark was on the 1986 state title track team, was All-PIL and All-State in basketball, which he played for the University of Washington.
Joe Gerber, Class of 1996
Joe was PIL Athlete of the Year after excelling in basketball and in baseball, where he pitched and played first base. He played four years at Oregon State and went on to play professional baseball.
Kiauna Anderson Floyd, Class of 1997
A softball player, Kiauna was all-PIL for four years, All-State two years, and an honor student as well. She played four years at Portland State, twice as All-American, and played for the national team. She owns two Italian restaurants.
Adam Whitehead, Class of 2001
Adam was an All-City and All-State football end, All-City in basketball, and PIL 2001 Athlete of the Year. He was a four-year football player and All-Conference at Portland State. Adam volunteers for the Portland Rescue Mission.
Ndamukong Suh, Class of 2005
Ndamukong is the first athlete to qualify under the Hall of Fame's qualifying limit of five-year past graduation. After winning city and state Defensive Player of the Year awards, he was named Parade Magazine's All-American high school football player. He was also state shot put champ, and played basketball, too. While attending the University of Nebraska, Ndamukong earned several national awards and was a Heisman trophy finalist, all while maintaining a Big-12 Academic Honor Roll standing in engineering. He now plays pro ball.
Coaches
Frank Buckiewicz, 1960-1985: Coach Buckiewicz led the Generals to 44 football victories and 2 city titles, taking the 1963 co-state title. He returned to his alma mater, Pacific University, as coach and athletic director.
Bob Likins, Class of 1940
Bob is our oldest honoree, and his award was accepted by his son, one of several family members at the ceremony. Likins was two-time All-American for javelin throwing at San Jose State College after breaking state and junior college javelin records and serving as captain of the Generals football team. Bob is now deceased.
Nancy Merki Boland, Class of 1943
Now living in North Carolina, Nancy was unable to attend, but sent a heartfelt message read by Pete Charlston, co-master of ceremonies. Nancy was one of the nationally famous "Cody Kids" who set national swim records competing for the Multnomah Athletic Club at a time when swimming was not yet a Portland Interscholastic League sport. Thus she became the first person named for achievement outside of PIL competition, although her national recognition occurred during her high school years at Grant, from which she was graduated in 1943 after serving as Girls’ League President.
Robert Jones, Class of 1945
Robert was a 4-year golf letterman and led the 1945 undefeated team with the individual state championship. He is still a U.S District Court judge.
Dan Torrey, Class of 1946
Now deceased, Dan was state golf champion a year after Jones and also excelled at basketball at Grant and at Oregon State College, playing on the 1949 Pacific Coast Conference championship team which finished fifth nationally.
Gordon Lenz, Class of 1948
Gordon excelled in football, basketball, and baseball, where he earned four of his ten varsity letters and he went on to two years as a professional.
Rollie Heath, Class of '55
Rollie was undefeated in the 1955 PIL title year, and later pitched for the University of Oregon, He was a Nestucca high coach for many years.
Jon Abraham, Class of 1957
Now deceased, Jon excelled in football, basketball, and track, where he won three events in the PIL meet, and was state champion in the 100-yard dash. He became track coach at Franklin high school where the track was named in his honor.
Riley Mattson, Class of 1957
Riley was all-PIL end and Shrine player, captain of the PIL co-champion basketball team and named to the all state team. He set the Grant high jump record in winning the PIL, and went on to an illustrious football career at the University of Oregion and the National Football League.
Jackie Rice, Class of 1958
Although a 4-year tennis letterwoman, Jackie gained greater fame when she started softball pitching for the Erv Lind Florist team where she gained world fame and coached at Milwaukie High School and the Oregon College of Education.
Chuck "Bumper" Wilson, Class of 1959
Chuck was a guard in basketball when the Generals were second in state with a 26-1 record, and was second baseman on the 1958 state champion baseball team. After a basketball career at Stanford, he became active in real estate and community development as well as mission work.
Ron Byers, Class of 1965
Ron led Grant to three PIL and state titles in spring and cross country track, where he won several individual state championships. He was also an all-PIL guard for the undefeated '64-'65 PIL basketball team. He competed for University of California after winning ten Grant letters.
Robin Sinclair, Class of 1970
Robin was a leading scorer and Shrine selection in football, and played on the '69-'70 state champion basketball team. Additionally he was all-league baseball pitcher, but went on to play football at Washington State University.
Artie Wilson, Class of 1970
Artie was All-City and All-State for the 1969 state championship basketball team, but also All-City and All-State as a baseball third baseman. He excelled in those at University of Hawaii, where he went on to coach for 20 years and became a civic leader.
Scott Jackson, Class of 1971
Scott won five state championships in track and cross country, and numerous PIL titles. He was also on the 1970 state champion track team.
Mark West, Class of 1986
Mark was on the 1986 state title track team, was All-PIL and All-State in basketball, which he played for the University of Washington.
Joe Gerber, Class of 1996
Joe was PIL Athlete of the Year after excelling in basketball and in baseball, where he pitched and played first base. He played four years at Oregon State and went on to play professional baseball.
Kiauna Anderson Floyd, Class of 1997
A softball player, Kiauna was all-PIL for four years, All-State two years, and an honor student as well. She played four years at Portland State, twice as All-American, and played for the national team. She owns two Italian restaurants.
Adam Whitehead, Class of 2001
Adam was an All-City and All-State football end, All-City in basketball, and PIL 2001 Athlete of the Year. He was a four-year football player and All-Conference at Portland State. Adam volunteers for the Portland Rescue Mission.
Ndamukong Suh, Class of 2005
Ndamukong is the first athlete to qualify under the Hall of Fame's qualifying limit of five-year past graduation. After winning city and state Defensive Player of the Year awards, he was named Parade Magazine's All-American high school football player. He was also state shot put champ, and played basketball, too. While attending the University of Nebraska, Ndamukong earned several national awards and was a Heisman trophy finalist, all while maintaining a Big-12 Academic Honor Roll standing in engineering. He now plays pro ball.
Coaches
Frank Buckiewicz, 1960-1985: Coach Buckiewicz led the Generals to 44 football victories and 2 city titles, taking the 1963 co-state title. He returned to his alma mater, Pacific University, as coach and athletic director.
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