1978 TRACK & FIELD INDUCTEE CHARLES L. GEER This pioneer educator and coach was a native of South Dakota, but came west and graduated from Stanford University. Geer was connected to the Coalinga school system from 1911 until 1921. In 1971, the athletic grounds at Coalinga High School were dedicated as the Charles L. Geer…
1978 FOOTBALL INDUCTEE SAM BOGHOSIAN When Sam Boghosian left the Fresno County Hospital at twelve following an eleven-month struggle with polio, his doctor gave him a grim prognosis: “You will always walk with a limp and you will never run.” Even though his right calf is an inch and a half smaller than his left,…
1977 BASEBALL INDUCTEE GLENN WRIGHT Glenn Wright’s nickname was “Cap” after he moved to Fresno following an eleven-year major league baseball career. However, the Archie, Missouri native was called “Buckshot” when he starred at shortstop for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Brooklyn Dodgers. Wright was on the World Series champion Pirates in 1925. Pittsburgh was down…
1977 HORSE RACING INDUCTEE EDDIE TAPLIN Eddie Taplin was-and still is-the only jockey to be inducted into the Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame. The native of lowa moved to Fresno at a young that age and began his riding career at the tender age of seventeen. Taplin galloped on the riding circuits in this country,…
1977 BASEBALL INDUCTEE JACK L. SHEPARD Jack Shepard was not only an outstanding high school, collegiate, and major league catcher; he was also extremely intelligent. His pitching teammate, Jake Abbott had high praise for his late Roosevelt High colleague. “Without a doubt, Jack Shepard was the best high school hitter I ever saw,” Abbott said.…
1977 SPEED BOAT RACING INDUCTEE JOHN KOVACEVICH Born and raised in Fresno, John J. Kovacevich was one of the few locals to make a name in the sport of speed boats and hydroplane racing. The Fresno High School graduate was the state leader for nearly ten years in Class ‘F racing runabout and Class ‘F’…
1977 AUTO RACING INDUCTEE FRED GERHARDT Fred Gerhardt was famous as an engineer and builder of racing automobiles in the world. A native of Fresno, Fred knew what he wanted to do at fifteen when he first became interested in how automobile engines worked. Fred’s fascination with cars developed specifically in relation to creating horsepower…
1976 FOOTBALL INDUCTEE AL RADKA Bruce Farris once said, “Every town needs a cheerleader, and Al Radka was certainly Fresno’s. Everywhere he went, Al would be talking about Fresno and what a great place it was to love. “The sixty-six year love affair between Al Radka and Fresno began in 1937 when a young Al…
1976 FOOTBALL INDUCTEE DARYLE LAMONICA It is difficult to imagine a more idyllic career in sports by any definition-exhilaration of competition, expansion of cultural horizons, accumulation of wealth and national recognition-than that which Daryle Lamonica was privileged to experience. He has a remarkable sports resume: four-sport Clovis High School letterman, All-American, Third Team quarterback for…
1976 SOFTBALL INDUCTEE JEANNE CONTEL Jeanne Contel was a standout for the Fresno Rockets amateur softball team, playing in a bygone era when the team was popular entertainment and business sponsors sent the squad traveling throughout the United States. Contel competed fourteen years for the Rockets beginning in 1951 and was known for her prowess…