I have a lot of special moments in my athletic career, but this recognition is something for which I truly feel honored.
Sports are important, but not the most important thing in the world!
When we look back at our lives and the contributions we have given our society, to say that we played a sport, in and of itself, is a small contribution.
But when we look deeper and we see how sports have shaped us as athletes, then the rest of our contributions to society can be greater, if done right.
Sports can:
Be fun
Keep us healthy and fit
Be an outlet for pent up energy
Expose us to other people and places
Take us away from our education or drive us toward education
Teach us teamwork
Teach us about risk
Teach us about loyalty
Teach us that life isn’t fair
Teach us how to set goals
Teach us how to overcome losing
Teach us how to build friendships
Teach us how to think creatively
Teach us leadership and followership
Teach us how to overcome adversity
Teach about integrity when given the opportunity to cheat or not
Teach us how to be humble in winning and have character in losing
Teach us that talent is a place to start, but that hard work can take us farther
If you are from Antioch, checkout the Antioch Sports Legends website and take a tour of the location at the Antioch Historical Society. It’s small but very well done.
http://www.antiochsportslegends.com/index.php?src=&submenu=
This is one of my favorite photos, not because it shows me, but because of the background. Both my Mom and Dad are in the photo watching just behind the fence at Antioch High. My Uncle Henry is standing between them. It’s probably the only photo like this that has both parents. The exception would be a posed shot in the stands. I’m not actually vaulting in this shot, just checking my steps and hand grip on the pole. It’s a favorite photo because part of my success in sports, as in life, was due to the support of my parents. They signed me up for my first baseball team back in 1977. I was ten and had no idea about sports, or teams, but they signed me and Jerry up for Little League.
They encouraged us, helped us, paid for sports and most importantly, they came to so many of our games. They attended as many events they could if their kids were involved; band concerts, church events, sports etc.
While in high school I had a teammate who qualified for the State Meet with me in 1985. When he found out he qualified he joyously explained, “Yes, now my parents will finally come to one of my meets!” “WHAT! Your parents haven’t attended a single meet held right here in town!” I reflected back and I couldn’t think of any meets where one or both of my parents hadn’t attended, home or away meets. They both worked, but they worked out their schedules so that one of them was there to watch their kid. I know not all parents could do that, but it was a shock to my mind that I had received so much parental support, and my teammates parents had not come to a single track meet.
Janet and I have 4 children and it has been such a joy to attend their events; school, band, church and sports. No one had to twist our arms to go. We sit there with great joy watching our children grow and participate in life right in front of our eyes. We are so proud of our kids, not because they are stars and not because they are perfect, just because they are who they are.
This is one of my first photos on this page because I am truly thankful for the parental and family support I have received.
MOM & DAD, THANKS!
Here’s another shot of Mom, Dad and Janet that I recently found taken from a video when I set the DVC school PV record. Very special that they were all there on that memorable day!
Below are some career highlights I submitted to the Hall of Fame committee.
| ANTIOCH HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS 1984-1986 |
| Scored over 100 points each year for three years (Freshman year was Middle school) Most Improved ’84, Coaches Award ‘86 Stapleton Relays meet record and second all-time in Antioch history 15’-1 ½” DVAL League Champion Junior and Senior year North Coast Section placed 6th as a Sophomore, 3rd as a Junior and 2nd as a Senior Competed in 7 different events individually and in team relays in the long jump, high jump, triple jump, low hurdles, high hurdles, mile relay (b squad) and pole vault. State Meet qualifier both Junior and Senior year in Pole Vault |
| DVC HIGHLIGHTS 1987-1989 |
| League Champion in Javelin and Pole Vault both years of competition, 1987 and 1989. Voted Most Improved ’87, Team Captain ’88 & MVP ’89. 8th place finish Community College State Championship meet in the Decathlon ’87. 2nd place finish Community College State Championship meet in the Pole Vault ’89. School records – Decathlon 6,267 pts ’87, Javelin 194’-9” ’89, Pole Vault 16’-3 1/4” ’89. Cleared 16’ on 3 separate occasions, April 20, 1989, May 12, 1989 & May 20, 1989 Received two-year scholarship. Elected DVC Hall of Fame in 2011 |
| LIBERTY UNIVERSITY HIGHLIGHTS 1990-1991 |
| Most Inspirational ’90 & Team Captain ’91. Personal best in the Javelin, 197’-9”. 5th place Penn Relays, PV 15’-7”. School records – Indoor PV 16’-1/2”, Outdoor PV 16’-6” and lifetime personal best. Cleared 16’ plus on 5 separate occasions at Liberty. |
| COMBINED HIGHLIGHTS 5 school records in total (DVC –Decathlon, Javelin, Pole Vault, Liberty University indoor and outdoor Pole Vault) DVC Pole Vault record of 16’-3 ¼” still stands after 30 years 2nd place finish California State Meet 2-year Track Scholarship Cleared 16 feet or more on 8 separate occasions: 16’-3 ¼” DVC – League meet April 20, 1989 16’-0” DVC – Nor Cal qualifier May 12, 1989 16’-0” DVC – State Meet May 20, 1989 16’-0” Liberty – Marriott Invitational Jan. 19, 1991 16’-0” Liberty – East Tennessee State Jan. 23, 1991 16’-1/2” Liberty – VA Tech Invitational Feb. 9, 1991 16’-0” Liberty – Univ. North Carolina May 23, 1991 16’-6” Liberty – Univ. North Carolina May 23, 1991 |
| CAREER RECOGNITION |
| Team Captain – Antioch 1986, DVC 1988 & Liberty University 1991 Most Improved – Antioch 1984 & DVC 1987 Coaches Award – Antioch 1986 Most Inspirational – Liberty University 1990 Most Valuable Player – DVC 1989 |
HALL OF FAME INDUCTION WEEKEND
Video of my acceptance speech. There were two audio cliches on the tape where I had to do a voice over.