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HALL of FAME INDUCTION 2004
Saturday, August 21

Oregon Hall of Fame           Mel Counts  *  Steve Prefontaine  *  Pete Susick

*HOF Home    2003    2004    2005    2006    2007    2008    Hall of Fame Nomination information

Spike Hillstrom Barney Holland John Johnson Michelle Menkens Ron Robins
Class of '53
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Class of '50
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enlarge
Class of '55
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Class of '74
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Class of '51
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Along with the above five individuals, the 1947 State Championship basketball team was inducted. 


 
They include:
Bill Anderson, Don Bruce, Marv Flitcroft, Ken Hunt,
Dick Mobley, Dick Moen,
Bob Montgomery, Bill O'Neil, Ron Runge, Doran Wright,
and coaches Bill Borcher
and Pete Susick

        

   

     

       


Barney Holland – 1950 Marshfield Graduate

Barney Holland was born in Marshfield on May 11, 1932.  He attended Harding Grade School , Marshfield Junior High School and Marshfield graduating in 1950. 

While attending Marshfield he was a three-year varsity basketball starter.  These teams won three district championships and went to three state tournaments.  Against state competition the teams placed 3rd, 2nd and 4th, compiling an overall record of 94 wins and 18 losses.  Barney earned All-District and All-State honors his junior and senior years.  He was the first Pirate in history to score over 1000 point (1025) in his high school career. 

As a football player he was the starting quarterback during his junior and senior years.  His senior year the team won the district championship and reached the state semi-finals.  The Pirates lost at LaGrande in a hard fought game 7 to 6.  Barney was named All-District and All-State.  He played in the 1950 Shriner All-Star game.

Barney received a football/basketball scholarship to the University of Oregon in 1950.  At Oregon he was a two-year football letterman as quarterback.  His most notable achievement was leading the Ducks to a 13-6 victory over the highly ranked U.S.C. Trojans, passing for the winning touchdown. 

Basketball wise Barney was a three year letterman, being named the team M.V.P. in 1954.  He was also named 1st team All-Northern Division and 2nd team All-Coast.  In addition he set the U of O single game scoring record of 32 points.  The record stood for eight years.  In 2003 Barney was inducted into the Ducks Hall of Fame for football and basketball.

Upon his graduation from Oregon in 1954 he entered the Air Force and received his pilots wings in 1956. 

In 1958 he started a high school teaching/coaching career that lasted 32 years.  It included stops at Lebanon , North Eugene and Aloha High Schools , plus two years as assistant basketball coach at Oregon .

Barney’s basketball teams won three state championships and ten district championships.  He received numerous honors as a basketball coach including “Oregon Basketball Coach of the Year” in 1966, 1976 1977 and 1989, “The West Coast National Coach of the Year” in 1967 and “McDonald’s Coach of the Year” in 1977. 

Barney married Mary Jane Rud in 1955 and currently resides in Beaverton , Oregon .  This December 23rd Mary Jane and Barney will be celebrating their 49th wedding anniversary.  Their son David is a also a basketball coach at Aloha High School .  Their daughter Sara coached volleyball at LaPine High School .   There is a six year old grandson Mack Fox, who Barney thoroughly enjoys coaching and playing with. 

Ron Robins – 1951 Marshfield Graduate. 

Ron Robins was born at home on January 10, 1934 in McMinnville , Oregon to Charles and Laura Robins.  In 1939 they moved to Silverton , Oregon where he started the first grade at age 5.  Ron was in the third grade when his family moved to Coos Bay .

Ron started playing organized sports in Junior High School, where he played softball, basketball, tennis and participated in track.  At Marshfield he played tennis his sophomore and junior years and earned two varsity letters.  In the summer of 1948 he won the State tournament (15 years and under), he took 4th in the state High School tournament his junior year but did not play tennis his senior year. 

While at MHS, Mr. Robins earned three varsity letters playing football for Pete Susick.  As a junior, he was the only player to be selected unanimously for 1st team District honors.  His senior year he served as a co-captain and was selected to play in the Shriner’s All-Star football game.  Unfortunately, Ron was not able to play in the Shriner’s game as he broke his collarbone in practice. 

He earned three letters in varsity basketball as a starter his sophomore, junior and senior years and was captain during his senior year.  In 1949, was named as 1st team All-State and was told that he was among the youngest players ever to gain All-State honors.  Ron’s junior year he was named to the 2nd team All-State and his senior year  was again named to the 1st team All-State and also 1st team by United Press.  Bill Borcher listed Ron as one of his “Top 10 Players” while he was coach at Marshfield .

Ron graduated from Marshfield High School in 1951 and entered Oregon State College (University now), where he earned a 4-year basketball scholarship playing under the famed “Slats” Gill, coach.  Ron earned 4 letters at Oregon State and was a starter his sophomore, junior and senior years and was captain his senior year.  He was named to the 2nd team Northern Division Pacific Coast Conference his junior year.  Oregon State was the Pacific Coast Champion in 1955, his senior year and the team was ranked 8th in the nation.  “Slats” Gill listed Mr. Robins as 2nd on his all time two-handed set shooter and as a scorer from mid-court or long shot.  Coach “Slats” listed Ron as tied for 3rd as best clutch player.  (“Slats” coached at Oregon State for 36 years.)

In 1956 he graduated from Oregon State with a Business Administration degree and two years in ROTC.  Ron was inducted into the Air Force as a commissioned 2nd Lt.   After induction in San Antonio , Texas , his first assignment was basic flight training in Hondo , Texas .  After 6 months he was assigned to multi-engine training at Reese Air Force Base in Lubbock , Texas .  On a trip to Dallas to see the NCAA basketball tournament in 1957 Ron met his future wife, Helen who was a Braniff Airways hostess. The two were married 9 months later, after Ron finished B-47 Strategic Air Command training in Wichita , Kansas . 

After completing his three years duty in the Air Force, and being honorably discharged, Ron and Helen moved back to the Northwest.  In 1962, Ron joined the sales staff at Boise Cascade Corporation in Seattle and his daughter Lori was born that year.  In 1963 he was transferred to Boise , ID where he has lived every since.  1966 son Phil was born and in 1972 he left Boise Cascade to start a career in Real Estate and eventually had a Real Estate Brokerage in Boise until retirement in 1997. 

Ron has two grandsons, Travis and Dillon who live in Seattle with their parents Lori & Paul Heist and his  son Phil lives in Fort Collins, Co.  Ron & Helen enjoy traveling and their favorite place to visit is Cannon Beach , Oregon . 

Eldon L. “Spike” Hillstrom  1953 MHS Graduate

Spike went to Harding Grade School , Marshfield Junior High, and Marshfield High School . 

Played football under Pete Susick.  Sophomore year played in State Championship game against Grant HS and named 3rd team All State .  Junior Year played fullback and linebacker, Pirates won district and lost to Grants Pass in quarterfinals.  Grants Pass won that year.  Senior year was All-District, All-State and All American: Wigwam Wise Men of America.  Selected to play in Shrine Game. 

Spike Played basketball at Marshfield Jr. High School under Bruce Hoffine.  Played basketball under Bill Borcher 1950-51 and Hoffine 1952-53.  Played in the state tournament all 4 years.  The team won state championship in 1953 (senior year).  Lost only three games in four years in the state tournament.  Lettered all four years and was All District junior and senior years.  Listed on Bill Borcher’s “Top 10 Players of MHS”. 

Spike accepted a football scholarship to University of Oregon and played guard and linebacker.  Was named All Northern Division Junior and Senior Years.  Graduated 1957 with a Bachelor of Science degree in secondary education.

Career & Family

1957 – 1958 Grants Pass Freshman Football (Mel Ingram Varsity Coach): taught Geography.

1958 – 1959 North Salem High School Offensive Line coach:  Assist. basketball coach:  taught US History and Government. 

1959 – 1960 Appointed Head Football coach after 3rd game due to illness of Head Coach Mel Fox Played for State Championship; lost to David Douglas

1960-1961 Record of 7-2 Lost coin-flip for play-offs (only year to miss)

1961 - 1962 Won District, lost to Beaverton in the quarterfinals

1962 – 1963 Won District, lost to Medford in the quarterfinals

1963 – 1964 Won District, tied Grant in the State Championship 7-7.  Assistant coach Shrine Game 1963, Head coach Shrine Game 1964 (first coach to have been a previous player in the Shrine Game). 

1965 - 1976 Accepted position as offensive line coach United State Air Force Academy (Ben Martin Head Coach), Sugar Bowl 1971, Recruited for AFA in Oregon , Northern, CA., Washington and Idaho .  Set up numerous football clinics in these areas. 

In 1976 Spike started a new career in the restaurant business.  After 25 years, he sold the business to his son.  Spike’s wife is Sherry (Thaxton, MHS 1953), is a professional artist and they have been married 49 years.   Together they raised Kellie, a buyer for boutique, Michael, a teacher and football coach at Air Academy HS and Jeffrey, owner of The Mission Inn Restaurant.  Spike is retired and lives in Colorado Springs , CO .

 

John Johnson – MHS Graduate 1955

Born in Webster City , Iowa in 1937. 

Was a 3 sport athlete all four years of high school from 1952-1955.  Played Football for Pete Susick and was a 3 year letterman.  Played halfback on State Co-Champion Team of 1954.  Named 1st team All-State and 2nd team All-American.   

Played starting guard in basketball and was coached by Bruce Hoffine.  Was coached by Walt McClure in track and was a four year letterman.  At the county meet John was champion in the 100 yard dash all four years of high school. Was 4th place at State meet in 100 and 220 as a junior.  District Champ in 100 yard dash and 2nd in 220 as a senior.  An injury prevented him from participating in the state meet. 

Attended U of O on full ride football/academic scholarship, but career ending knee injury during Shrine Game practices prevented college athletic participation. 

John married his sweetheart (then & now) Rosalie Gilfillan in 1957.  Graduated U of O in 1959 and returned to Coos Bay to begin his career as an educator and started his family of four terrific sons.  John taught all subjects of math at Marshfield for 33 years.  He coached athletics at MHS for 42 years.  Coached as a 3 sport assistant alongside Susick, Hoffine and McClure in football, basketball & track for 17 consecutive years 1965-1981. 

In football he was the head coach from 1980-1988 (four years in the state playoffs).  Was assistant coach during the state 2nd place team of 1969 and was assistant coach during the 1992 state championship team and 1994 state runner up team.  John retired from teaching in 1992 but continued coaching and currently helps his son Marty with the successful program at Sheldon High School. 

He coached basketball for 24 years at Marshfield.  John was the boys’ head coach for four years and in the state tournament 2 of those 4 years.  “District Coach of Year” in 1978.  Head Girls Basketball coach for three years.  Worked as assistant coach with Bruce Hoffine for 15 years with 3 state tournament teams in 1968, 70 and 71. 

John coached track for over 20 years primarily in the sprints and jumps.  To this day he still volunteers at Marshfield’s home track meet as the head judge in the long jump at Pete Susick Stadium.  John also tutor’s math to home school and college students and recently helped with 5th grade students at Coburg Elementary. 

Michelle Menkens – 1974 Marshfield Graduate

1961-1970 – Age Group swimming starting at age 5.
1970-1971 – Joined the Tacoma Swim Club under Dick Hannula.  Participated in my first Sr. Nationals in
            Huston, Tx.
1971-1973 – Our family moved to Hot Springs, Arkansas and did not swim. 
1973-1974 – Returned to Coos Bay, Oregon.  Swam for Marshfield High School.
            State Champion in the 50 Free, 2nd in the 100 Free.  Qualified for Sr. Nationals
            6th place in Junior Nationals.   Also graduation from Marshfield.   
1974-1978 – University of Oregon.  Collegiate National Champion in the 50 Free in 1975.  Qualified for
            Nationals every year.  Ten time All-American Voted Oregon’s Athlete of the Year in the Spring of
            1975.  Graduated in 1978 with bachelor’s degree in Physical Education.
1978-1980 – Substitute taught and coached Cottage Grove School District.  One year contract at Albany
            High School.  Coached boys and girls swimming.
1980     -Moved to Tacoma, Wa. And started working for Weyerhaeuser Company in wood products. 
1993        - Inducted into the University of Oregon Hall of Fame.
Present – Working for Huttig Building Products as a product manager for all panel Sales.  Responsible for
            five different locations, 25 million in sales.   Michelle has two boys Aaron 17 and Charlie 11.

The 1947 Marshfield State Championship Basketball Team

Head Coach:  Bill BorcherBorn in Minnesota 1919, Graduated North Bend High School 1937.  Graduate of U of O, US Navy 1942-46,  Marshfield Head Basketball Coach 1946-51.  Founded Oregon Jazz Band Coos Bay 1947, Head Men’s Basketball Coach University of Oregon 1951-56.  Personnel Director of US Plywood Corp Roseburg 1956-62, received Education Degree U of O 1964.  Associate Dean American River College Sacramento 1964-1983, founded the Sacramento Jubilee Festival 1972.  Retired to Coos Bay 1983, died 2003. 

Assistant Coach:  Pete Susick1946-1978 Head Football coach at MHS.  235 wins, 69 losses & 18 ties.   1955 & 1956 State Titles, 1954 Co-Champs, 2 state runner-ups and 13 playoff teams.  1947-64 Assistant Basketball Coach at MHS, State Champs 1947 & 1953, state runner-ups 1959, ’60, ’62.  Awards include ’54 Lion’s Club “Citizen of the Year”, ‘55 “Hayward Champion of Champions”, ’56 Oregon Sportswriter & Broadcaster at Hayward Banquet of Champions, ’68 “High School Coach of Year” by Oregon Journal, ’70 Coos Bay Lion’s 25 years of Outstanding Service to Youth of Community, ’73 “Football Coach of the Year” for 8th District in United States for coaching record, honors and contributions to the sport, ’79 “Bill Hayward Banquet Merit Award, ’85 Susick Stadium named in his honor, ’94 State of Oregon Hall of Fame inductee, Winningest Oregon High School Coach in History, 2000 North Bend Hall Sports Hall of Fame Inductee, ’51, ’53, ’56, ’69 Shrine Head Football Coach , ’48 Shrine Assistant Football Coach, 2004 Marshfield Sports Hall of Fame Inductee.  Pete lives in North Bend, OR with his wife Marcella.

Players: 

Bill Anderson - 1948 MHS Graduate, Linfield College 4 years, 1952 graduate, bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.  Married  Nona Neilson from Helena, Montana in 1952.  Two sons, Greg, married lives in Seattle, & Rick married lives in San Diego, Two grandchildren.  Joined The World in 1952, 1961 joined Capital Press an agricultural weekly in Salem. 1965 became the advertising manager and 1972 Printing department.  Retired from Capital Press in 1992.  Lives in Arizona from Nov – April and returns to Salem for the summer.

Marv Flitcroft - 1947 MHS Graduate.  Played Basketball 4 years.  Team place 1st, 2nd & 3rd , Played football, senior year was selected to the Shrine team.  Attended Linfield college, played football, named All-Conference End his senior year, graduated 1953.  Married Patricia Gaines, 1952.  Two sons, Steve and Scott.  Served in US Army in Korea, Coached 1 year at Linfield College, while completing Master’s Degree.  1956 began teaching & coaching at Dayton HS.  1959 accepted teaching & coaching position at Franklin High School.  Athletic Director, Vice Principal, 7 years at Cleveland High School, Coached Little League, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Cleveland High School gives the “Marv Flitcorft Award” to a graduating senior each year, retired in 1987.  In 1991 Portland Public Schools named Marv (posthumously) to the “PIL Hall of Fame”.  Chosen that year were: Mark Cotton, Hal Ellmers, A.C. Green, June Jones & Marv Flitcroft.   Marv died of cancer in 1989. 

Richard Moen – 1947 MHS Graduate.  Went to work at CB Lumber.  1949 Decked on Tug, Empire Tug Co.  1950 drafted US Army basic training Camp Polk, LA. 1951 Hokido, Japan then to Korea a forward observer, 155 Howitzer Battery.  1952 decked for Knutson Tow Boats.  1955 boat operator for Knutson Tow Boats.  1990 Retired and have enjoyed the last 14 years.

Richard Mobley – 1947 MHS Graduate.  U of O 1947 & 48, played football.  Also played in 1953 & 54 with service time in between.  The 1948 team went to the Cotton Bowl and in Jan. 1949 team was inducted into the State of Oregon Sports Hall of Fame.  The team was inducted into the U of O Sports Hall of Fame 1993.  Worked for Pacific Adhesives Co. glues & sealants, and in 1967 H.B. Fuller Co (plywood mills).   I had two children with my first wife before divorcing and now am married to Bertie who has four children.  We travel in our motor home, play golf and reside in Tigard, Or.  

Ron Runge - 1948 Marshfield Graduate 1953 graduated from Oregon State University - Chemical Engineering.  Spent two years in Army Chemical Corp testing Radiological, Chemical and Biological weapons in the dessert.  1956 went to work for Union Oil in Los Angeles main work was construction, computer installation and programming.  1966 the San Francisco refinery, 1975 Beaumont, Texas head of operations in a 125, 000 barrel a day refinery. 1978  Chicago, Ill. as manager of 150, 000 barrel a day refinery.  1981 was promoted to vice president of refining for the Eastern United States outside Chicago, Ill. 1986 moved back to Los Angeles until retirement in 1992.  Retired, plays golf, cruises, and resides with wife Joann in Seal Beach, Ca.  Has 5 blue-eyed, blonde girls and 2 granddaughters and five grandsons. 

Bob Montgomery – 1948 Graduate, Went to Oregon Tech on a basketball scholarship was captain 2 years.  Received a degree in sanitation engineering, Did landscaping & logging work after college.  Worked at Coos Country Club 8 yrs. as the Superintendent of grounds keeping.  Worked in hardwood business owning gift shops and sold Myrtlewood and other hardwood items over seas.  Carved the big whale on Ocean Blvd by Bracelin & Yeager.  Had 3 children Bobby, George & Luann with first wife Dorothy.  Is currently living in Coos Bay/Empire area with wife Marilyn.

Don Bruce – 1948 Marshfield Graduate, went to University of South Dakota on a basketball scholarship.  Married Helen Erickson in 1951, 5 children and 7 grandchildren.  He taught and coached several years in Redfield, S. Dakota, owned and operated a sporting good store for 15 years in Sioux Falls, SD.  Moved to Portland, Oregon to be a stockbroker 4 years, moved back to Redfield and owned the Prairie Lounge until his death.  Helen said, Don loved his family, hunting & fishing and his dog Brandy.  Don died in a car accident in 1994. 

Ken Hunt – 1947 Marshfield Graduate, Went to U of O and played basketball.  Named All Northern Division and was captain of team at U of O.  He coached basketball one year with Bill Borcher at U of O, 1 year at Cottage Grove and 2 years at North Salem.  Moved to California and started in the Real Estate Business, retired in 1990.  He met his wife Joan at the U of O and they had 4 children and 5 grandchildren.  Ken lived in Woodside, California for 25 years until his death in 2002. 

Dan Fox – 1948 Marshfield Graduate, joined the Navy worked for US Steel, Farm Management, consulting, wife Mary Jane, 4 Children and 5 grandchildren, retired, plays golf, resides in Redding, California.

Kay Norris – 1948 Marshfield Graduate, joined the Navy 22 years, retired Lt. Commander, taught high school 7 years, retired, lays golf, resides in North Kingstown, Rhode Island.

Bill O’Neal1947 Marshfield Graduate, went to Southern College, bachelor of Science in 1951.  Teacher and coach at Bandon 1951-52, US Army 1952-54.  Was basketball coach and teacher at Springfield High School 1954-1961.  Master’s in Education in 1962 at U of O.  Principal at Springfield JR High 1961-63 and Principal at Springfield High School from 1964-1986.  Bill married Phyllis Zenger 1952, they have 4 children and 8 grandchildren.   They currently reside in Springfield, Or. 

Doran Wright1948 Marshfield Graduate, went to Oregon Tech on a basketball scholarship.  Came home and worked in sawmills and as a diesel mechanic.  Married Wilma Gibson 1951, had 3 children, Reggie, Gary & Don.  1970 became the Operations Manager at Oregon Chip Facility and retired in 1998 and bought his the boat he’d dreamed of.  Doran and Wilma have 5 wonderful grandchildren.  Doran died in 1999 of pancreatic cancer.