Gary Buckman
Jess Castillo
Nick Chipponeri
Don Gilbert *
Dennis Good
Joe Graben
Mary Ann Harrison
Carol Johnson
Marty Mathiesen
Gene Geno Meyers
David Moore
Frank Paich *
Danny Payne
Rex Smith
Randy Flea Washington
GARY BUCKMAN - San Ramon, CA
Gymnastics - 1971, 1972, 1975
Gary came to Chico State in the fall of 1970 from Concord, where he graduated from College Park High School. He was an excellent addition to Coach Ray Bright's Wildcat Gymnastic Teams of 1971, 1972 and 1975. All three years he was All-Conference in All-Around and was CSU, Chico Sports MVP in 1975 and 11th in the NCAA Championships in 1975. This was amazing, as he had suffered a broken neck in February 1972. He has been, even to this day, a tremendous athlete and coach.
His coaching career has included USA Elite Coach 1976-84, USA Head National Gymnastics Junior Coach 1981-1982, USA Senior National Coach 1982-84, USA Coach for USA teams competing in South Africa 1980, Japan 1981, Canada 1981, New Zealand 1981, and Japan 1983.
He was coach of the 1977 National Championship Class I Team and Coach of Merelyn Chapman, the 1977 Jr. Elite All-Around National Champion. In 1981 he was coach of Karen McMullin, the National All-Around Class I Champion.
He was the owner of Diablo Gymnastics in San Ramon from 1980 to 1995. He is now a private gymnastic consultant and can be contacted via e-mail: gbuck@pacbell.net.
JESS E. CASTILLO, JR. - Chico, CA
Baseball - 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966
Football - 1961, 1963, 1964, 1965
An All Far-Western Conference Team Selection in football 1964 and selected to the All-Centennial Team in football 1969, the city and campus community of Chico is proud that Jess is being inducted into the CSU, Chico Hall of Fame.
As any outstanding athlete at Chico High School, it was but a short hop across Warner Street into stardom at the university.
After graduation, Jess established himself as an outstanding baseball coach. In the 17 years of coaching, he won the Division I Sac-Joaquin Section Championship in 1986 and was named Sacramento Metro Area Coach of the Year in 1987. As outstanding as he was as a coach, greater were his administrative skills in getting things accomplished. He facilitated completion of the Newman Stadium at the Casa Roble High School in 1980 and was the school's athletic director for 10 years. As athletic director and administrator, Jess received many honors: Sac-Joaquin Athletic Director of the Year, District Peer Administrator Recognition, Capital Athletic League Commissioner, Capital Athletic League President, and current athletic liaison to C.I.F. for the Association of California School Administrators.
Jess attributes his success as a teacher/coach/administrator to the educational background received at CSU, Chico. The values of determination, hard work, teamwork, and goal setting through his athletic experiences have been invaluable in his career.
As principal of Casa Roble Fundamental High School, Jess was given the task of making his school one where all cultures are celebrated and embraced, not only in sports, but academics as well. Charley Berger, director of high schools for the San Juan Unified School District has stated, If we are to look to the sports program as a place where diversity is celebrated and keep it as a part of our curriculum on campus, we need to desperately find more young Jess Castillos!
NICK CHIPPONERI - Modesto, CA
Baseball - 1966, 1967, 1968
Nick Chipponeri came to CSU, Chico from Modesto Junior College and immediately displayed advanced offensive and defensive skills in baseball. In his 3 years, he was awarded All-League honors twice and Most Valuable Player once. At this time, Chip displayed team enthusiasm and a dedicated work ethic. He was loyal to the team and school and was a very unselfish player. Upon completion of his teaching credential he returned to the Modesto School District.
In the subsequent 28 years he has taught and coached at every level with outstanding success. He has fielded various teams to 23 championships. During his 9 years at Downey High School, a member of the Central California Conference, he had three league championships and five times qualified for the playoffs. He was voted Coach of the Year three times and coached the Lion's All-Star in 1986 to a regional win. Nick was selected and inducted into the Downy Sports Hall of Fame in 1987, as both a player and coach. In 1990 Modesto Junior College inducted him into the Football Team of the Decade for the 1960s.
Nick continues teaching physical education and coaches the Downey golf team. He continues being a role model for his students.
DONALD W. GILBERT* - Grass Valley, CA
Football - 1947, 1948
Track - 1947, 1948
A product of the Grass Valley Area, Don attended Placer Junior College prior to fulfilling his service commitment during World War II. Following the war, Don attended Santa Rosa Junior College where he played football and baseball and ran track. He was the Northern California Junior College Champion in the 220 low hurdles in 1946.
Don attended CSU, Chico from 1947 through 1949. He played football and ran track, and in 1949 he assisted Mr. Maxey in coaching track by helping the hurdlers.
After graduation he taught physical education in the Grant Union School District of Sacramento for 30 years. During the 20 years at Highlands High School, his cross country teams amassed a record of 99 wins and 9 losses &endash; a 1966 section championship and a number of league championships. His track teams during the same period compiled a 145-14 record. He won the sectional titles in 1971 and 1979. His team won fifty-five consecutive dual meets and was undefeated for a period of 5 years during this time.
Don was a charter inductee of both the Golden West Track and Field Hall of Fame and the Northern California Officials Association Hall of Fame. He officiated football and basketball for a period of 25 years.
Don passed away in 1979.
DENNIS GOOD - Fairfield, CA
Swimming - 1969, 1970
Water Polo - 1968, 1969, 1970
Dennis swam and played water polo for 3 years while attending Chico State. He played water polo during the 1968, 1969, and 1970 seasons. Dennis also swam during the 1969 and 1970 seasons. He earned conference titles in 1970 in the 400 individual medley and l650 freestyle events and set new conference and school records for those events, along with a school record in the 1000 freestyle. Dennis earned All-American honors in 1969 in the 400 individual medley at Springfield College in Springfield, Massachusetts, by placing 9th at the Division II National Championships and in the 500 and 1650 freestyle events in 1970 at Oakland University at Pontiac, Michigan by placing 10th and 9th respectively in those events. For these achievements, the Blue Key Society awarded Dennis the Blue Key Outstanding Athlete Award for 1969-70 academic year. In 1971 Dennis received his B.A . in physical education, and after returning from service in the Air Force Reserves, he returned to Chico and obtained his secondary teaching credential.
Since graduation Dennis has competed in Master's Swimming winning All-American honors at the 1973 Master's Nationals in Santa Monica, California in six events while winning two. Dennis has competed in 110 triathlons and has qualified for and completed ten Hawaii Ironman Triathlon World Championships events. He qualified and competed in the first World Triathlon Championships in Avignon, France in 1989. Inside Triathlon Magazine honored Dennis as an All-American triathlete in 1988 and 1989.
Dennis has coached age-group swimming and high school water polo and swimming for over 20 years in the communities of Chico, Mill Valley, Novato, and Fairfield. He presently teaches in the Alternative Education Program for the Solano County Superintendent of Schools.
Dennis's wife, Vickie, was inducted in the Chico State Athletic Hall of Fame in 1997. They join a select group of husbands and wives that have been inducted. They were married throughout their competitive collegiate careers. They are the proud parents of two daughters who have enjoyed the benefits of collegiate athletics.
JOE GRABEN - Yuba City, California
Baseball - 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970
Football - 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969
Joe participated in football and baseball for 4 years. He was awarded the Frosh Football Coaches Award for his performance as an athlete and person. While he was named the Most Valuable Player for baseball in 1968 his crowning recognition was as the Art Acker Outstanding Senior Athlete. He was member of the Block C from 1967 to 1970. He held two football records. The first was the longest punt (81 yards) and the second for the most passes caught in a football game (12). Joe finished his undergraduate years in 1970 with the distinction of graduating Cum Laude. He completed his M.A. in 1973.
His coaching experience is vast. It started at Pleasant Valley High School in 1971 and continues at Yuba City High School, where he has served in a variety of roles as coach and chairman of the Physical Education Department. Coaching responsibilities included JV and varsity assignments in football and baseball. He was the owner/manager of the Twin City semipro baseball team. Other accomplishments include serving as the assistant athletic director at Yuba City, named the Optimist Baseball Coach in 1987, received a proclamation from the Yuba City mayor and City Council for his 16 years of dedication to men's baseball team, and was named Mentor Teacher from 1992 to 1994. He remains a member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association and the California Teacher and National Education Associations.
His friends and peers recognize him for his character and ideals. They say he is sincere and concerned for others. They find him to be most responsible with high standards that he lives by. They contend he has had a great and positive impact on his students and serves as a model for others to follow.
MARY ANN HARRISON - Rocklin, CA
Badminton - 1968, 1970
Basketball - 1967, 1968, 1970
Field Hockey - 1967
Tennis - 1967, 1968, 1970
Volleyball - 1967, 1968, 1970
Mary Ann participated in five sports while attending Chico State: badminton, basketball, field hockey, tennis, and volleyball. She received several awards of excellence in these sports, but her most treasured recognition was the President's Award for the Most Outstanding Female Athlete, presented to her in 1970.
Mary Ann was hired at Wheatland High School as a physical education teacher in 1970 where she remains today. Professionally, Mary Ann has been a major contributor: she coached four sports in her first 5 years of teaching, three sports for 18 years and two sports since 1989 and has been the Physical Education Department chair. She has been her school's Athletic Director from 1992-99.
Mary Ann is highly regarded by her students, her athletes, and her colleagues for her contribution to her school and department. Further, she has fought for equality for girls in sports, physical education classes, and within the total educational setting of the school. She is highly regarded and respected at Wheatland High School, as well as throughout Northern California. She has represented her school at numerous professional meetings, promoting the best interest of the students.
A quote from one of her fellow teachers reads: Mary Ann is often thanked by her students for making a difference in their lives, which is one of the best compliments a teacher can receive!
CAROL GEORGE JOHNSON - Escondido, CA
Badminton - 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959
Basketball - 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959
Field Hockey - 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959
Softball - 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959
Tennis - 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959
A native of Oroville, California, Carol attended Chico State from 1955 until her graduation in 1959. Carol was an outstanding all-around participant in Chico State's sports programs. In addition, she was active in all Women's Athletic Association activities, a member of Cardinal Key, and was elected Chico State Commissioner of Women's Athletics for 1958-59.
Carol's teaching career started at Oroville High School, where for 6 years she taught physical education and supervised the GAA Intramural and Sports Day Programs. In 1964 she left Oroville and took a position with Marysville High School. There, in addition to her teaching, Carol coached girl's tennis, the track and field team, and also organized and served as advisor to the ski club.
In 1966 she left Marysville to become department chair and director of athletics for Gridley High School. While at Gridley, she completed her Masters at Chico State College and for 16 years in Gridley she coached and taught sailing, canoeing, skiing, cycling, and golf. Also during this time her tennis, field hockey, basketball, and volleyball teams all won NSCIF Championships. At Gridley High School Carol was considered a master teacher, and as such, she helped many aspiring student teachers from Chico State.
From 1970 until 1980, Carol served NSCIF as a member of many different sport committees. She was elected to represent girl's athletics to the NSCIF Board of Managers and was subsequently elected to be the chair of the State CIF Girl's Sports Advisory Committee. From 1972 until 1992 she was affiliated with the California Physical Education Workshop at Cal Poly, SLO and in 1982 was elected as director of that workshop.
In 1982 Carol took a position of assistant principal at Lake Elsinore High School in Riverside County. Along with her administrative duties she also served the school as athletic director and director of activities. In 1990, after 32 years of service to the youth of California, she retired from teaching so that she could spend more time herself playing tennis, golf, sailing, and snow skiing.
MARTY MATHIESEN - Fortuna, CA
Baseball - 1978, 1979, 1980
Basketball - 1978, 1979, 1984, 1985
Marty was an excellent two-sport athlete but he excelled at baseball. In 1979 he was named the Most Valuable Pitcher in the Far Western Conference. He was named to the Honorable Mention list for basketball in 1985 and to the Academic First Team for 1984-85 and 1985-86. He was selected to the National College All Star Team in 1980 and was named to the All League Baseball Team for 1979-80.
He played professional baseball for the San Francisco Giants from 1980 to 1985. He returned after his pro baseball career to play two more years of basketball. He has served as a teacher and coach of three sports at Colusa High School (1987-90) and teacher, baseball, basketball and football coach at Orland High School from 1990-95. In 1995, he became vice-principal of Fortuna High School. He remains in that position today, while he completes his doctorate in education.
EUGENE GENO MEYERS - Grass Valley, CA
Cross Country - 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970
Track and Field - 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971
Gene was born and raised in Oroville, California. He graduated from Oroville High School in the spring of 1967 and enrolled at Chico State in the fall of 1967. He was a coach's dream the minute he attended his first cross-country practice, a local freshman possessing outstanding athletic potential and the personal qualities that made him exceptional. He was extremely loyal to his teammates and coach, had a tremendous work ethic, and was able to physically handle some of the most intense workouts when other runners were not.
Geno became the cornerstone of one of the greatest distance teams that Chico State has ever had. During his 4-year tenure in cross country, Chico State won the Far Western Conference Championship in 1968 and 1969. In track and field, he held the conference meet record in the mile and was an All-American in 1969 and 1971.
Geno was one of the few athletes that could excel at all distance races. He held the school record in the 880-yard run, the mile run and the three-mile run. His converted times (from yards to metric distances) and ranking on Chico State's All Time Top 10 List exemplify how talented he really was thirty years ago! He is presently ranked second in the 800-meters, third in the 5,000-meters and fourth in the 1,500-meter race. His 800-meter record stood for 25 years and was finally broken in 1994.
Gene Meyers is one of the best, if not the best, distance runners to wear a uniform for Chico State.
DAVID MOORE - Victoria, Australia
Basketball - 1973, 1974
Dave came to Chico via De Anza High School in Richmond and Contra Costa College. In just 2 years as a Wildcat, Dave piled up just about as many honors as one man could. In his first season he was the Most Valuable Player on the team that placed second in the conference, a first team All-FWC forward, and honorable mention on the All-Coast team. In his second season he did even better. Dave was the captain of the first championship basketball team of the 1970s and repeated as All-FWC forward. He also won the Harry Griffith trophy for the Sportsman of the Year, was selected to the Chico Invitational Basketball Tournament team for the second consecutive year, and was voted the Outstanding Senior Athlete at Chico State University. In one game he had twenty-six rebounds which stood as a school record until 1984.
After college he went down under and played on teams from Newcastle and Adelaide, and promoted the growth of basketball in Australia. He married an Australian gal, Gail. They still live in Australia, and Dave uses his economics major in bank work.
Incidentally, he was the only basketball junior college transfer to graduate from Chico State in 2 years. He later earned his M.B.A. from St. Mary's College in Moraga.
FRANK PAICH*
Basketball - 1941, 1942
Football - 1941, 1942
Frank Paich came to Chico State in January 1941 after a sterling athletic career at McClymonds High School in Oakland, where he made the basketball team as a freshman. At McClymonds he excelled in three major sports: basketball (for four years, twice All-City, All-County); football; and baseball (three years, All-City, league contract by Joe Devine, then primary scout for the New York Yankees). Frank's father encouraged him to pursue an education first to prepare him for a career after baseball.
While still a freshman at Chico State, Frank made the varsity in both football and basketball, earning his Block 'C' in both sports. Chico State did not field a baseball team during these years, but Frank was the first baseman for the Chico Colts during the summers of 1941 and 1942. Baseball was Frank's favorite sport. Due to his outstanding athletic ability, he was a triple-threat in football and always a threat to the opposing team in basketball for his quickness and strength.
Due to World War II, Frank left Chico State in March 1943, when he entered the U.S. Marine Corps. After recruit training he became a member of the Raider Battalion for further training before being assigned to the 5th Marine Division.
DANNY PAYNE - Pleasanton, CA
Soccer - 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978
Danny Payne came to the Chico State Soccer program as a freshman from Livermore. He is one of the very few Chico State athletes who was awarded First Team All-Conference honors during all 4 years of competing in the Far Western Conference.
In his sophomore, junior, and senior, seasons he earned All Far West honors. Dan left his mark on the Chico State Soccer program in his senior year as he was voted Most Valuable Player by his teammates. He was also voted MVP of the league by the coaches. He didn't stop there, though. He was All America and he went to the Senior Bowl in Tampa, Florida. He was later named (along with one other Athletic Hall of Fame player) Co-Soccer Player of the 1970-80 decade for Chico State.
Danny Payne epitomized what we call the Student - Athlete. He graduated with a 3.4 grade point average in accounting. He was selected as one of three Chico State Scholar Athletes of the Year, and chosen as the Fall Season Winner. He was drafted into the American Soccer League by the Sacramento Gold and made the ASL All-Star Team as a rookie in 1979. His Sacramento Gold team won the ASL Championship that year. Dan followed the 1980 season with another ASL All Star award and set a league record for continuous game time played. The record ended with a season ending ACL knee injury. He bounced back in '81 and '82 for the Atlanta Chiefs in the NASL and finished his professional soccer career in Charlotte playing for the Carolina Lightning of the ASL.
Danny is married to his college sweetheart, Gayle, who is also a graduate of Chico State. They were married in 1980 and have two children, Shaun 13, and Danielle 11; both play youth soccer. Dan currently enjoys a partnership role within a CPA firm and lives in the East Bay Area. He has volunteered his time by serving on the board of several non-profit organizations in the Bay Area. He continues to play and coach the game of soccer.
REX SMITH - Chico, CA
Football - 1970, 1971
Rex Smith came to Chico State in 1970 to complete his college education. He was previously a student and athlete at Hartnell Junior College in Salinas and was a member of their championship football teams in 1968 and 1969. In his second season with the Hartnell team, Rex was honored as an All-American tight end.
Rex received a bachelor of science degree in agriculture in 1973. He worked full time to put himself through college, holding jobs at the University Farm and Persons Brothers Ranch in Biggs. Even with his difficult schedule, he was a proud member of the exceptional Wildcat football teams of 1970 and 1971, holding the position of wide receiver. In 1970, Rex was second in receiving for the season with 535 yards and three touchdowns.
The 1971 season was an exciting one for Rex and the Wildcats. That fall Rex broke several team records, some of which he held for almost two decades. His records included Receiving Yards in a Game with 199 yards, Season Records for Receiving Yards and Receptions with 935 yards and 43 receptions, Career Receiving Yards of 1,470 and Career Receptions of 75.
That year, Rex was honored by being named the Chico State College Offensive Player of the Year, and the Far Western Conference Offensive Player of the Year. Hewas a member of the All Conference Football Team, and he was named to the 2nd All Coast Offensive Team and received Honorable Mention on the Associated Press All-American Football Team. Rex proudly completed his football career at Chico State in the 11th Annual Camellia Bowl, NCAA West College Football Championship game.
Since graduation, Rex has managed almond and rice property in the Durham and Red Bluff areas. Currently, he owns several orchards and oversees an additional 700 acres of almonds. He is married to Sarah Dahl and has a stepson Jeffrey Brown, a student at CSU, Chico.
RANDY WASHINGTON - Salinas, CA
Basketball - 1969, 1970
Football - 1969, 1970
Track - 1970, 1971
Randy Flea Washington came to Chico State in 1969 and made his mark in the Chico State record books in both football and track and field.
His football accomplishments were all Far West Conference in 1969 and 1970 and FWC Most Valuable Player in 1970. He is one of two players in history to make the Little All-Coast Team on both offense and defense. His 9.7 sprinting ability made him a dangerous threat both offensively and defensively, thus the nickname Flea.
Randy's track and field accomplishments included being a member of the 1970 4x100-meter relay team that set the school record. That record stood for 22 years; it was finally broken in 1992. In 1971, he was All-Conference Decathlete. He was ranked eighth in the all-time Top Ten List (old decathlon scoring tables) with a score of 6,420 points. He was also All-Conference Champ in the Long Jump and Triple Jump. His 24'2 long jump still ranks as 5th best in Chico State history, as does his triple jump of 48'9 1/4 .
Randy spent his working career in the Salinas Valley Area working for Pacific Gas and Electric.
