Year Inducted: 1994 (p)
Nominated By: Pete Karl Pisciotta (colleague)
Sports Competed In: Basketball, Football
Athlete, Coach or Contributor: Athlete, Coach
High School:
Attended Pueblo Central H.S., graduating in 1946... A three-sport standout for the Wildcats, playing three years (1943-46) of basketball at guard and one year in football as an end (1945), and baseball as a shortstop (1946)...Played on the first Pueblo Central baseball team in modern times.
College:
Went to Pueblo Junior College (PJC) for two years from 1946-48 and played football and basketball (at guard), baseball (shortstop) and track (440 yard dash)...Played guard on the basketball squad for one season (1948-49) Colorado A&M (now Colorado State University) before finishing his college athletic career at Western State College (WSC) in Gunnison, CO where he played on Mountaineers basketball team at guard on the baseball squad (first base) before graduating in 1951...Continued his post-graduate studies at WSC, earning a Masters degree in 1956.
Achievements:
College:
● Named the Most Outstanding Athlete at PJC in 1948.
● All-Conference selection in basketball in 1948.
Coaching Career:
● Began coaching career at Olathe H.S., where he was the head basketball coach and and an assistant on the football team for a season (1955-56).
● Moved to Salida in 1957 where he started out as an assistant on the track and football teams for seven years (1957-63).
● Spent 12 years (1957-69) on the bench as the head coach of the Spartans basketball team.
Achievements:
Coaching
● Compiled a record of 310-145 as the head coach of the Salida basketball team.
● Led Salida H.S., to the State Basketball Championship twice (1961 and 1964), finishing runner-up once (1963) and third place (1965).
● Coached the South All-Star squad in 1964.
● Also coached the Spartans football team for four seasons (1963-68).
Related Activities:
● Worked for 12 years (1976-89) at Phoenix Brophy Prep. AZ.
● Instrumental in starting Old Timers Baseball in Salida, CO.
Occupation:
Served in the Marine Corps for 37 months then became a teacher, coach, and athletic administrator.
Personal:
Lives in Glendale, AZ with his wife, Nancy.
