2019 VOLLEYBALL TEAM INDUCTEE 1967 FRESNO VOLLEYBALL CLUB “It was the biggest upset in volleyball ever, us winning.” That is how George Sarantos describes the accomplishment of the 1967 Fresno Volleyball Club winning the U.S. national championship. “Teams were seeded by how they did. We weren’t seeded. We ended up being the best team in…
2019 BASEBALL INDUCTEE 1960 ROOSEVELT AMERICAN LEGION Jake Abbott knew pretty early on in the summer of 1960 that his American Legion baseball team was special. “At the high school level, pitching is important,” he said. “With these two kids, Wade (Blasingame) and (Dale) Williams, we would be tough to beat. We had some kids…
2018 BASEBALL INDUCTEE 1959 FRESNO STATE BASEBALL Coached by the legendary Pete Beiden, the Bulldogs became the first team in Fresno State history to reach the College World Series in 1959, a season in which they finished with a 41-13 record. Upon reaching the CWS at Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, the Bulldogs won three of…
2018 BASEBALL INDUCTEE 2008 FRESNO STATE BASEBALL Entering the WAC Tournament with a 33-27 record, the underdogs transformed themselves into Wonderdogs, overcoming injuries and long odds to claim the NCAA College World Series with a 6-1 victory over Georgia in the championship game. It was the first CWS baseball title for Fresno State, which finished…
2018 TRACK AND FIELD INDUCTEE DOT JONES Dorothy-Marie “Dot” Jones set records in the shot put at Modesto College and Fresno State before becoming the most dominant women’s arm wrestler in the sport’s history with 15 world championships. She then parlayed her personality, strength and sense of humor into a highly successful career as an…
2018 COMMUNITY LEADER INDUCTEE JOHN CARBRAY John Carbray, a visionary who was ahead of his time in many ways, was the prime driver in building Fresno’s state-of-the-art downtown stadium and bringing Triple-A baseball to Fresno. Launching the Fresno Grizzlies was a 12-year effort that required Carbray to round up investors, acquire a team, play four…
2018 FOOTBALL INDUCTEE LOGAN MANKINS The 6-foot-4, 308-pound offensive lineman utilized intelligence, strength and toughness to become one of the most dominant offensive linemen in National Football League history after a standout career at Fresno State. Over 11 NFL seasons, nine with the New England Patriots, Mankins made seven Pro Bowls and was named first-…
2018 FOOTBALL INDUCTEE PAT HILL The former UC Riverside offensive lineman elevated the Fresno State football program into a nationwide household name and an ESPN television staple with his “anybody, anytime, anywhere” mantra during 15 seasons as Fresno State’s head coach. Not only did the Bulldogs post a 112-80 record and go to 11 bowl…
2018 SOFTBALL INDUCTEE SHELLY STOKES Athletic and busy as a child, Stokes decided to channel her energy into softball. It was the right decision as she would reach the pinnacles of accomplishment in the sport: an Olympic gold medal and All-America recognition by the NCAA and Amateur Softball Association. Stokes’ sterling defensive skills as a…
2017 BASKETBALL TEAM INDUCTEE 1980 SAN JOAQUIN MEMORIAL GIRLS BASKETBALL