HOF Nominees

To add a candidate to the Breitbard Hall of Fame Nominee list, please download the nomination form and follow the directions printed on it.

ALLAS, Ferdie (Karate)

Allas is a Morse High and SDSU graduate that went on to many outstanding accomplishments in traditional Karate-Do. He became a member of the USA National Team and an international competitor in 1984. He is a 9-time USA Karate Federation National Champion and the 1991 Hayashi-Ha International World Cup Champion. In 1995 he was the first person in USA Karate history to hold national titles in two separate disciplines (Kata & Kumite). He became Captain of Team USA for the 1995 Pan American Games and the 1996 Olympic games in Atlanta. He is the only member of the Black Belt Magazine Hall of Fame from San Diego, elected in 1989.

ALLEN, Eric (Football)

Allen was as six-time Pro Bowl cornerback in his NFL career with the Philadelphia Eagles, Oakland Rainders and New Orleans Saints. Allen was earned All-Pac-10 honors at Arizona State and was drafted in 1988 in the second round as the 30th pick overall. He was a starter as a rookie and made his first Pro Bowl in his second season in 1989. Allen is tied for third with Marcus Allen and La’Roi Glover for most Pro Bowls by a San Diego high school product. Only John Lynch (eight) and Junior Seau (12) have more appearances. Allen was an All-CIF running back and defensive back at Point Loma High who led the Pointers to a CIF San Diego Section 2A co-championship in 1982.

ALLEN, Mark (Triathlon)

Allen was an All-America swimmer at UCSD and then wen to to become one of the top triathlon competitors in history. By 1989 he had captured the Nice Triathlon five times. He won the first World Triathlon championship and ten international championships. Allen won five-straight Ironman competitions beginning in 1989. He took a year off in 1994 and then came back to win his record-tying sixth Ironman in 1995 at age 37.

BAIR, Ranae (Track & Field)

Bair, a graduate of Mission Bay High School, competed in the javelin throw. She took second place at the 1967 Pan American Games. She competed twice in the Olympics, 1964 and 1968, but did not place. She was a four-time national champion from 1964-1967 and was the national record holder at 196′ 3″ during that period. She was the California Field Athlete of the Year in 1964 and 1967 and also made the All-American Track & Field team in those years. As a volleyball, basketball, track and badminton coach at Madison High School she has led her teams to many league championships.

BICKERSTAFF, Bernie (Basketball)

Ten-year player, assistant coach and head coach at the University of San Diego. Bickerstaff played for the Toreros from 1964-1966. He was team captain and MVP his senior season. As a head coach with USD (1969-1973) he had a .529 winning percentage. From San Diego he went on to have more than twenty years in management at the NBA level.

BRUMFIELD, Charlie (Racquetball)

The Oceanside native became a legend in his sport during the heyday of racquetball in the 1970s. Brumfield won six national championships during his reign as king of the game.

BYRD, Gill (Football)

Gill Byrd supplied leadership on the field, as evidenced by his selection as Chargers Most Inspirational Player for six consecutive years (1988-1993). The two-time All-NFL selection and two-time Pro Bowler holds team records for career interceptions (42) and career interception yardage (546). From 1988-1992, his 32 interceptions were the most in the NFL. Byrd had nine interceptions against future Hall of Famer John Elway alone. His 99-yard return at Kansas City in 1984 ranks among the team’s all-time longest plays. He played for the Chargers from 1983 until his retirement following the 1992 season.

CAGE, Michael (Basketball)

Cage, formerly of San Diego State, holds the fourth-longest consecutive games streak in NBA history with 736 games. At the end of his college career Cage led the Aztecs in career points (1,846), rebounds (1,317), field goals and free throws. He also had 112 consecutive starts for the Aztecs. After SDSU, Cage was selected to playing the 1984 Pan-American Games. While in the NBA Cage averaged 7.8 ppg and had 8,257 rebounds.

CAMINITI, Ken (Baseball)

After Ken Caminiti’s four years with the Padres, the slick fielding, hard-hitting third baseman was on the Padres All-Time list in several categories. He is third in batting average at .295, fourth in home runs with 121, sixth in RBI with 396, 7th in doubles with 127 and walks with 298. He led the Padres to two National League West titles and into the 1998 World Series. He was named National League MVP following the 1996 season where he hit .326 with 37 doubles, two triples, franchise record 40 home runs and 130 RBI. He represented San Diego in two All-Star games (1996, 97) and hit a home run in 1996 in Philadelphia. Caminiti earned Gold Glove Awards in 1995, 96 and 97.

CHAMBLISS, Chris (Baseball)

Chambliss, a graduate of Oceanside High School, had a major league career that lasted from 1971-1988 with the Indians, Yankees and Braves. Chambliss was the 1971 American League Rookie of the Year in the American League and won the Gold Glove in 1978. He played in 2,173 games, averaging .279 with 185 home runs, 972 RBI. After his career he was a two-time Manager of the Year in the minor leagues and has been batting coach for the Cardinals and Yankees. His greatest moment of glory came when he hit a home run in the ninth inning of the fifth and deciding game of the 1976 American league championship series versus Kansas City.

CHANG, Michael (Tennis)

Chang is best remembered for becoming the youngest-ever male winner of a Grand Slam singles title when he won the French Open in 1989 at the age of 17. Utilizing tremendous speed and strong determination, Chang was one of the best counterpunchers of all time and remained in the Top 10 in the ATP world rankings for several years in the 1990s, peaking at World No. 2. He won 34 career titles and was a finalist at the 1996 Australian Open and 1996 U.S. Open. Chang, while growing up in San Diego’s North County, won numerous junior titles. He won his first national title, the USTA Junior Hard Court singles, at the age of 12. In 1987, aged 15, Chang won the USTA Boys 18s Hardcourts and the Boys 18s Nationals, and became the youngest player to win a main draw match at the US Open when he defeated Paul McNamee in four sets in the first round. les title in 1988 at San Francisco, aged 16 years and 7 months. As an eighth-grader playing for San Dieguito High, he won the CIF San Diego Section individual title.

CHASE, Ben (Football)

Captain of the 1944 Naval Academy football team, was picked on the Associated Press and Look Magazine All-America teams as a guard. Ben, a graduate of Hoover High School, played tackle and kicked, passed and ran from punt formation for the Cardinals before enrolling in the Academy.

CHIN, Tiffany (Ice Skating)

Chin, who grew up in San Diego, dominated the junior circuit in ice-skating prior to her Olympic career. Chin made the U.S. Winter Olympic team in 1984 where she finished fourth at Sarajevo. The next year she won the national championship and finished third in the world championships. Chin was third in the national championships in 1986 and third in the world championships. She had to end her competitive career prematurely, however, due to a muscle imbalance affecting her legs, arms and hips.

COLBERT, Nate (Baseball)

Colbert, an original Padre, came to San Diego via Houston and the expansion draft. Colbert twice hit 38 home runs in a season (a team record until Ken Caminiti hit 40 in 1996) and was the first Padre too drive in 100 runs. In 1972 he put on an awesome display of power by hitting five home runs in a doubleheader, which tied Cardinal great, Stan Musial. He also had 13 RBI and 22 total bases that day, both major league records. In 1972 he drove in the highest percentage of his team’s runs in major league history. In his six years with San Diego, Colbert had 164 home runs and over 390 RBI.

COOK, Les (Baseball)

Devoted 56 years of his life to professional baseball, primarily the Pacific Coast League, first as an outstanding catcher and then as one of the most highly regarded and popular trainers in the game. His skills in tending physical problems of athletes became so well known that prominent major leaguers often came to him with their physical ailments rather than accept professional services made available by their own ball clubs. “Cookie,” as he was known, spent 33 years with the San Diego Padres.

CROW, Kevin (Soccer)

Crow, a San Diego State grad and member of the 1984 and 1988 U.S. Olympic teams, played for the Sockers during their indoor soccer dynasty. Crow was selected to the All-Star game seven times in his first seven years in the league. He was named Major Soccer League Defender of the Year four times.

DEAN, Fred (Football)

Dean was a four-time Pro Bowler who one of the game’s best pass rushers when he played defensive end for the Chargers from 1975 until he was traded to the San Francisco 49ers during the 1981 season in a contract disupte with then-owner Gene Klein. Dean played for the 49ers until 1985 and helped San Francisco win two Super Bowl titles in the 1981 and 1984 seasons. He was Pro Football Hall of Fame finalist in 2007.

DUNCAN, Speedy (Football)

Speedy Duncan starred as a defensive back and punt returner for the Chargers of the American Football League. Duncan still ranks among team leaders in many defensive and special teams categories, including longest interception return (100 yards), career punt return yards (1,651), longest punt return (95 yards), season punt return average (15.5 yards) and others. In all, his name ranks in the top three in 17 team records.

FORSTER, Terry (Baseball)

Forster, a pitcher out of Santana High School, had a 16-year major league career. His overall record was 54-65 with 127 saves and a 3.23 ERA. He was the American League Fireman of the Year in 1974 and had a lifetime batting average of .396. Referred to by David Letterman as the Atlanta Braves “big tub of goo.”

GARVEY, Steve (Baseball)

After 13 years with the Dodgers, Garvey finished his career with the Padres. He batted in the .280s for his time in San Diego with roughly 100 home runs. Garvey hit what was arguably the most important home run in Padres history. In the 1984 National League Championship Series against the Chicago Cubs, Garvey homered in game 4 of the series and launched the team into game five and eventually the World Series.

GLOVER, Broc (Motorcycle Racing)

This Valhalla High School grad retired from his sport in third place on the American Motorcycle Association’s list of career event winners. He is the only event rider to win national championships in six different years, winning the 125 cc Nationals in 1977, ’78 and ’79 and the 500 cc Nationals in 1981, ’83 and ’85. He also won the Trans-USA title in 1981. He won two U.S. Grand Prix of Motocross at Carlsbad Raceway, four Super Bowl of Motocross and two of the first three Super crosses at Jack Murphy Stadium. Glover also raced in Europe, winning the Belgium Grand Prix in 1989.

GRAYSON, DAVE (Football)

A graduate of Lincoln High School, Grayson also attended San Diego City college before playing offensive and defensive halfback at the University of Oregon. He was drafted by the American Football League’s Dallas Texans in 1961 and played four years with the Texans/Chiefs before joining the Oakland Raiders in 1965 and playing his final six seasons there. A two-time AFL champion and six-time AFL All-star, Grayson is the AFL’s all-time leader in interceptions (47) and interception Yardage (908) who was also named to the American Football League All-Time Team. Grayson holds the AFL record for longest interception return for a touchdown, 99 yards against the New York Titans in 1961. He also had an interception off George Blanda in the Texans’ classic 1962 double-overtime championship game victory over the defending AFL Champion Houston Oilers.

HAINES, Robbie (Sailing)

Haines, a Coronado native, was the skipper of the 1984 Olympic gold medal-winning Soling. He served Dennis Conner as skipper for Stars & Stripes’ successful 1987 America’s Cup challenge. Served as tactician on the record-breaking boats in two San Diego-Manzanillo races. He won the 1979 & 1983 Soling National & World Championships. Haines also won the 1980 U.S. Olympic trials, but the U.S. boycotted the games.

HOGAN, Marty (Racquetball)

Marty Hogan, who was once proclaimed as the “Bjorn Borg of Racquetball,” won five consecutive National Racquetball Championships (1978-82). Hogan, a winner of over 100 professional tournaments, won his first professional title at age thirteen. With a forehand shot that was clocked at 142 mph, the fiery, aggressive Hogan was named the 1980 Male Racquetball Player of the Year by Racquetball Illustrated Magazine and has been a three-time Hall of Champions Professional Star of the Month (4/79, 6/81, 6/82).

HORN, Don (Football)

Don Horn was the first SDSU quarterback to gain national recognition when he was selected little all-America in 1966 after leading the team to the College Division National Championship. He was the first round draft choice of the Green Bay Packers and played eight years in the NFL, including the Packers Super Bowl champion years. He played 62 games in the NFL, completing 49.9% of his passes for 3,369 yards and 20 touchdowns.

HUNT, Thom (Track/cross country/road racing/marathons)

The Patrick Henry High alumnus, now a teacher and coach at his alma mater, was a seven-time NCAA All-American pick in cross country and track at Arizona, a marathon champion and American record holder in the 10K on the road (28 minutes, 12 seconds in 1981) and the high school indoor mile. His indoor mile record of 4:02.7 was set in 1976 at the San Diego Sports Arena and stood for 25 years before Alan Webb became only the fourth American high school miler to break the four-minute barrier. As a marathoner, Hunt won the 1986 Holiday Bowl Heart of San Diego Marathon with a time of 2:12.26. In 1977 as an Arizona freshman, he won the IAAF Junior International Cross Country championship in Dusseldorf, Germany. Hunt’s CIF San Diego Section record in the 3,200 meters (8:41.8) has stood for 29 years since his senior season in 1976.

ISLER, J.J. (Sailing)

The La Jolla resident is a two-time Olympic medalist and a four-time Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year. Isler’s Olympic medals were in the 470 dinghy series with a silver in 2000 in Sydney and a bronze in 1992 in Barcelona. Isler won the Rolex award in 2001, 1997, 1991 and 1986; only one woman has won the award more times. She won the worlds in 1986 and 1991 and was the skipper of two Grand Prix races in Key West, Fla., and San Diego in 1997. Isler was also the first woman elected to the Sailing World Hall of Fame.

JOYNER, Wally (Baseball)

Joyner’s smooth style and consistent play entertained Padres fans for four years. The slick-fielding first baseman hit .291 with 102 doubles, six triples, 38 home runs and 271 RBI during his San Diego tenure. Always a gentleman and loved by fans, Joyner returned to the Padres organization following his 2001 retirement as a roving hitting instructor.

KENNEDY, Lincoln (Football)

Kennedy, a Morse High product, was first team All-American while at Washington. Was a member of the 12-0 national championship Husky team in 1991. Selected in the first round (9th overall) by the Atlanta Falcons in 1993. In 11 pro seasons he played in 169 NFL games, starting 141 of them. Three time pro-bowl selection. Had six career fumble recoveries.

LARSEN, Bob (Track and field coach)

Larsen, a Hoover High alumnus, is one of the most accomplished coaches in American track and field history. His coaching career spans from Monte Vista High to Grossmont College to UCLA to the 2004 U.S. Olympic team. In the Athens Games, two of his marathoners claimed medals, with San Diego’s Mebrahtom Keflizighi taking a silver medal in the men’s marathon and Deena Kastor a bronze in the women’s marathon. Keflizighi was the first American male to earn an Olympic marathon medal in 28 years. In his time as UCLA’s men’s head coach, the Bruins won two NCAA team titles. He retired after 21 seasons after the 2000 season. Larsen’s cross country teams at Monte Vista won CIF four straight San Diego Section titles before he moved on to Grossmont College, and his teams won state junior college titles seven times in 11 seasons. He also formed an amateur running club, the Jamul Toads, which won the1976 AAU national cross country title.

LEVINGSTON, Cliff (Basketball)

Levingston, from Morse High, played in the NBA from 1982-83 through the 1994-95 season (with a brief stint in the European Leagues). He retired with 5,888 points (7.1/game) and a .516 shooting percentage. He shot .676 from the line and .152 from three-point range.

LOWE, Paul (Football)

In the first preseason game of the Chargers first season, Paul Lowe took the opening kickoff 105 yds for a TD, Lowe would go on to play nine seasons for the Chargers. Lowe is the Chargers All-Time rushing leader (1,014 – 4,963, 4.9 avg., 39 TD), 7th All-Time in scoring (276 pts), and 10th All-Time in kickoff returns yards(58 – 1,294). Lowe led the AFL in rushing in 1965 with a then record of 1,121 yds, and was named as the AFL Player of the Year. In Lowe’s career he rushed for 100 or more yards 16 times, led the team in rushing 5 times, twice eclipsing 1,000 yards. He still holds the Chargers team record for longest run from scrimmage, a 87 yard TD run. Lowe was inducted into the Chargers Hall of Fame in 1979.

MACEK, Don (Football)

Although Don Macek was not recognized with many awards as a 14-year center for the Chargers, he was regarded for his class and dignity. Macek anchored the offensive line on what many consider the most prolific offense in NFL history. Macek is 3rd on Chargers most seasons played list (14), 5th in most games played (160). He was considered the best center to never play in a Pro Bowl, however he was an alternate in 1982.

MacMILLAN, Shannon (Soccer)

Shannon MacMillan, a San Pasqual High alumnus, is a World Cup and Olympic champion in women’s soccer as a member of the U.S. team that won the World Cup in 1999 and the U.S. teams that won the 1996 Olympic gold medal and the 2000 Olympic silver medal. She played for the U.S. national team from 1994 through the 2003 World Cup. In Olympic competition, she scored the game-winning goal in overtime in the Olympic semifinal against Norway in 1996, and also scored the first goal in the Olympic final against China. She finished from her international career with 60 goals and with 175 caps, the 10th most of any woman in history at the time she retired. She was U.S. Soccer’s National Female Athlete of the Year in 2002; the National College Player of the Year at the University of Portland in 1995, when she won the Hermann Trophy that is women soccer’s equivalent of the Heisman Trophy; and the CIF San Diego Section Player of the Year in 1990. MacMillan was one of the founding players of the Women’s United Soccer Association as a player for the San Diego Spirit.

MALONE, Mark (Football)

Mark Malone, an El Cajon Valley grad, was the nations most recruited quarterback and the San Diego Union’s Prep Star of the Year in 1975. He was a three-year starter at Arizona State University (255 – 520, 49%, 3,388 yds, 23 TD passing, 302-1,344 21 TD rushing). Malone was named the 1980 Senior Bowl MVP and was chosen by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 28th pick in the 1980 NFL draft. He played eight seasons with the Steelers becoming the fourth ranked quarterback in franchise history with 8,582 yds. He was traded on 4-12-88 to the Chargers for his final complete NFL season, he would play one game in 1989 with the New York Jets. For his career Malone passed for 10,175 yards (839-1,648) with 60 TD’s, rushing he was 159-628 (3.9 avg.) and 18 TD’s. Malone had one career reception for a 90 yd TD, a Steelers team record.

MARLOWE, Chris (Volleyball)

Chris Marlow first showed up on San Diego’s sports scene in the early 70’s as a starter on the SDSU Aztecs basketball team. He would soon pursue a second sport in volleyball where he would be the starting setter on the Aztecs 1973 NCAA Championship team. Marlow would make the US National team in 1976, but that team would fail to qualify for the Olympics. The US boycott of the 1980 Olympics left Marlow looking towards an acting career. He would try one more time for the 1984 team. The last man cut, but an injury would put him back on the team. His teammates named him captain and Marlow would lead the team to the Olympic Gold Medal in 1984 (the first Olympic medal in volleyball by the US). In 1986 Marlow was inducted into the U.S. Volleyball Association Hall of Fame in Wichita, KS.

NATER, Swen (Basketball)

Swen Nater helped John Wooden’s UCLA Bruins win two NCAA titles. When the Clippers made their San Diego debut, Nater became a local favorite. He played professional basketball from 1973-74 through 1982-83,. He was the ABA Rookie of the Year in 1974 and led the ABA in rebounding in 1975. Finished his career with 5,632 points (13.4/game) 5,033 rebounds and a .540 shooting percentage. He currently coaches at Christian Heritage College.

NEWELL, Pete(Basketball)

He is a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass. Newell was the general manager of the San Diego Rockets as an NBA expansion team from the 1968-69 season to the 1970-71 season. The Rockets emerged as an NBA playoff team with NBA All-Stars Elvin Hayes and Don Kojis. Newell has made San Diego his home since working for the Rockets, although he later served as general manager of the Los Angeles Lakers. Newell won the 1949 NIT title at the University of San Francisco, the 1959 NCAA title at Cal and coached the 1960 Olympic team to a gold medal. His 1960 Cal team returned made a second straight trip to the NCAA final but finished as the runner-up.

O’REE, Willie (Hockey)

O’Ree had a professional hockey career that spanned 21 years and was the first black player in the National Hockey League. Known as one of the fastest skaters of his time, O’Ree played 43 games in the NHL for the Boston Bruins. O’Ree came to San Diego 1967 and played here until 1974. He averaged 50 points-per-year during his time in San Diego and was always a fan-favorite. O’Ree put together his fine list of accomplishments despite the use of only one eye after being blinded by a slapshot in junior hockey.

QUINN, Brian (Soccer)

Quinn, a nine-year midfielder with the Sockers, racked up 335 points in 303 regular-season games. He was the team MVP four times. Quinn was an All-Star for eight seasons in the MSL and was named Championship Series MVP in 1986 and 1990. He became a member of the U.S. National team in 1991 and finished a four-year U.S. Soccer career with 48 caps (full international appearances) and one goal. After his playing career concluded, Quinn coached the Sockers for two years and currently coaches the San Jose Clash of Major League Soccer.

RILEY, Steve (Football)

The Castle Park High School grad was a starter on USC’s undefeated 1972 team. He was an all-America tackle on USC’s 1973 Conference champion team. He then had a 10-year career as an offensive lineman with the Minnesota Vikings, playing in 138 games.

RITCHEY, Johnny (Baseball)

Ritchey grew up in San Diego and attended San Diego High School. He played one year with the Chicago American Giants of the Negro American League and led the league in batting with a .378 average. The next year he signed with the San Diego Padres of the Pacific Coast League, and became the first black player in PCL history. His minor league career lasted from 1948-1956 and was mostly spent in the PCL. Ritchey was a rugged catcher who was adept at the plate. In 1948 he batted .323. He led the Western International League in batting with a .346 average with Vancouver in 1952. He then batted .291 in 1953, .272 in 1954 and .285 in 1955 before ending his career batting .185 in 19 games with Syracuse of the International League.

SALUD, Jesus (Boxing)

Salud, a Rancho San Diego resident, fought 73 times during his professional career and retired with a 62-11 record and 37 knockouts. He won the WBA junior featherweight title in 1989 when he defeated Juan Jose Estrada. He also held several NABF titles. He was ranked as follows at the time of his retirement: IBO – 3; WBO – 4; WBC – 4; WBU – 4; IBC – 10; IBA – 13.

SCOTT, Steve (Track)

Scott owned the American mile record for 25 years before his time of 3:47.69 was broken in 2007 by Alan Webb. Scott also holds the world record for most sub-four-minute miles with 136. He was a three-time Olympian and a silver medalist at the 1983 World Championships. He was ranked No. 1 in the U.S for 10 years after wining an NCAA title at UC Irvine. He relocated in San Diego County in 1983, and the bulk of his world-class career came while as a San Diego resident. He was instrumental in starting the world-famous Carlsbad 5,000 road race and is now the cross country and track coach at Cal State San Marcos. He is a member of the USA Track and Field Hall of Fame.

SEGOTA, Branko (Soccer)

Only Ron Newman (10) has won titles with the San Diego Sockers than Midfielder Branko Segota (6), and he has been on the most championship teams as a player in indoor soccer history (9…3-NY, 6-SD). Segota’s 6-year career with the Sockers (1984/85 -1990/91), 10-years overall, left him first in several offensive on the Sockers All-Time list (Goals 416, Assists 353, Points 769, Shots 1582). Segota was selected to 8 All-Star games 6 times as a Socker, and in 1989 scored the fastest goal in indoor All-Star game history (:25). In indoor All-Star game competition Segota is first in assists (8), second in goals (8) and second in points (16). In the playoffs, Segota scored 106 goals and 73 assists for 179 pts. Segota has been a Star of the Month eight times (2/85, 1/86, 4/86, 5/87, 1/88, 2/89, 11/89, 3/90).

SHAW, Dennis (Football)

Shaw quarterbacked San Diego State to an 11-0 season completing a brilliant 2-year career at State by passing for 5,324 yards, and completing 333 of 575 passes good for 59 touchdowns. During 1969 he set a new NCAA one season record completing 199 for 3,185 yards and 39 touchdowns. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills and named 1970 Rookie of the Year in the NFL and named AP’s Offensive Player of the Week for passing Buffalo to a victory over the Jets. He was selected as Star of the Month twice – October, 1969 and January, 1970 and Star of the Year in 1969.

SMITH, Dave (Baseball)

Dave Smith, who graduated from Poway High School in 1973, pitched from 1980-1992 with the Astros and Cubs. He had a lifetime 53-53 record with a 2.67 ERA. His 216 saves rank him 21st on the all-time list. He was selected to play in the 1986 and 1990 All-Star games.

SMITH, Karin (Track & Field)

A graduate of La Jolla High School and former Palomar College, UCLA attendee and Cal Poly of San Luis Obispo graduate, Karin Smith is a 5-time Olympic javelin thrower. She has been recognized as Star of the Month 6 times and before her retirement, won the Junior National Championships consecutively from 1971 to 1973, won the Senior National Championships in 1980, ’81, ’83, ’84, ’87, ’90, and ’91, and made the Olympic team in 1976, 1980, 1984, 1988, and 1992. In the 1980 Olympic Trials, Smith edged out two-time bronze medallist and American record-holder Kate Schmidt to capture the women’s javelin title. Competing well into her 30’s, Karin is best known for her throw at the USA/Mobil National Track and Field Championships in June of ’81 where she threw for 206’3″ to out distance her nearest rival be more that 12 feet.

SMITH, Ozzie (Baseball)

Considered one of the greatest fielding shortstops in the sport’s history because of his consistency and his ability to make sensational plays. During his 19-year career, Smith earned 13 Gold Glove Awards and was named to 15 All-Star teams. He was drafted by the San Diego Padres, and in 1978, after only one minor league season, Smith became the Padres’ starting shortstop. In 1980 he had 621 assists, setting a major league record for assists by a shortstop. Smith was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals after the 1981 season. During the next few years he remained the NL’s leading fielding shortstop, and he also improved his hitting, which had been weak early in his career. In 1987 Smith had his best all-around season. He maintained his fielding excellence while also batting .303 and stealing 43 bases, helping lead the Cardinals to the NL championship. Smith remained a top player into the 1990s, consistently ranking among major league leaders in fielding categories such as assists and fielding percentage. He retired in 1996 with 2460 hits and 580 stolen bases.

STEWART, Ivan (Motor Sports)

Ivan Stewart, from Alpine, has been off-road racing he has accumulated more than 81 career victories and 21 driver’s titles. These triumphs include 13 Baja 500’s, eight Nevada 400’s, two Nevada 500’s, three Gold Coast 300’s, and two Baja 1000’s. He earned his nickname “Ironman” for his habit of driving solo in endurance races that normally call for relief drivers. He was recognized as Star of the Month in November 1998.

SWEENEY, Walt (Football)

The Chargers number one draft pick in 1963, big Walt was an end at Syracuse, but was immediately switched to guard when he arrived here for training. He was an instant hit with San Diego fans back in Balboa Stadium when he appeared with the Chargers punt and kickoff units and the huge man charged down field to make the tackle. The 255-pounder played with the Chargers from 1963 through 1973, tying John Hadl’s record of playing in 154 straight games. Sweeney was traded to Washington where he played two years. Sweeney was an All-American Football League guard in ’67, ’68, ’69, and an All-American Conference selection in ’70 and ’71. He was the Chargers Lineman of the Year in 1971, played in nine AFL and NFL All-Star Games.

TINLEY, Scott (Triathlon)

Tinley, an SDSU grad and Encinitas resident, is considered by many to be the “Grandfather of Triathlon.” He began competing at the Ironman in 1981 and has continued every year since, winning the event in 1982 and 1985. In 1985 he set the Ironman record of 8 hours, 54 minutes, 50 seconds. He has competed in roughly 50 Ironman-distance events.

VADEN, Paul (Boxing)

Paul Vaden is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School. The 154-pound super-welterweight had an amateur record of 327-10. As a professional, he had a record of 29-3, and is the only San Diego-born fighter to hold a world championship title, as he held the I.B.F. Junior Middle Weight title in 1995 and the United States Junior Middle Weight title in 1999, 2000.

VARDELL, Tommy (Football)

Touchdown Tommy rushed for 1,789 yards on 416 carries with 37 touchdowns and no fumbles. He ranks second in school’s TD history, third in rushing. He set Stanford records in most yards in a season (1,084), most TDs in a season (20), most points in a season (120), and most rushing TDs in a season (20), most rushing TDs in a career (37), and most carries in a game (39). He was a GTE All-Academic All-America of the Year as a senior and All-Pac-10 Academic. He had an 8-year professional career with the Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions. In his career he was used as a short-yard specialist, rushing for 1,427 career yards and 18 touchdowns. He also caught 119 passes for 1,010 yards and 3 touchdowns.

WARD, Rodger (Motor Sports)

Rodger Ward began his career by racing in Balboa Stadium from 1946-1955. His first major victory came in 1947 when he beat future Indy 500 winners Bill Vukovich, Johnny Parsons and Jim Bryan at the San Diego Grand Prix. He won the Indianapolis 500 and the National Championship in 1959 and 1962. He is a member of the Indy, San Diego Automotive Museum and International Racing Halls of Fame.

WARREN, Don (Football)

Warren, a San Diego State grad, he was drafted in the fourth round out of San Diego State. He was a tight end for the Washington Redskins from 1979-1992. Warren played in 193 games for the Redskins, catching 244 passes for 2,536 yards and seven touchdowns, but was noted as possibly the best blocking tight end in pro football history. He played in four Super Bowls following the 1982, 1983, 1987 and 1991 seasons.

WHITMARSH, Mike (Beach volleyball/basketball)

The former USD and Monte Vista High basketball player found greater success in his athletic career when he took up beach volleyball. He won 28 career tournaments on the Association of Volleyball Professionals tour with five different teammates. In 1996, he won a silver medal in the Olympics in the inaugural beach volleyball event. He was the AVP Rookie of the Year in 1990. As a basketball player at USD, the 6-foot-8 Whitmarsh was a first-team pick on the All-West Coast Conference team in 1983 and 1984. In the 1983-84 season, he averaged 18.8 points a game to the lead the Toreros to the WCC title and an NCAA Tournament berth.

WRIGHT, Nate (Football)

Wright played professional football from 1969-1980, earning All-Pro honors at defensive back in 1974 and 1976. He career consisted mostly of time as a defensive back with the great Minnesota Vikings teams of the 1970s. He totaled 34 interceptions and three fumble recoveries in 156 professional games. He was an All-Conference player from two years at San Diego State before turning pro.