John-Eric Hernandez – Baseball (1997-2000)
Leslie "Les" Hord – Men's Soccer (1971-74)
Mose Mastelotto – Football (1954-56, 59), Men's Basketball (1955-56)
Phil Mickelson – Skiing (1956-58)
William "Bill" Mickelson – Golf and Skiing (1948-51)
Rich Miller – Football (1962-65), Track & Field (1963-66), Baseball (1963), Boxing (1965)
Josh Osborn – Baseball (1997-98)
Donna Peirano – Field Hockey (1969-72), Women's Basketball (1969-72), Softball (1969-70)
Gwynne Schwartz – Track & Field (1983-86)
Paul Sengo – Wrestling (1959-61)
John-Eric Hernandez – Baseball (1997-2000)
Certainly one of the greatest pitchers to ever don a Wildcat uniform, and arguably, the greatest Wildcat in baseball history, John-Eric Hernandez led the Wildcats to two NCAA national championships and three West Region titles during his tenure at Chico State. The school’s all-time leader in wins (41), innings pitched (402.2), strikeouts (334), appearances (75) and games started (56), Hernandez compiled a four-year won-loss record of 41-9. He was named West Region Pitcher of the Year in 2000, and was a first team All-American and MVP of the College World Series in 1999. Former Chico State baseball coach Lindsay Meggs said that Hernandez “put Chico State baseball on the map” and was “arguably the best player in the history of the program.” Hernandez signed with the Detroit Tigers after the 2000 season, but his professional career was cut short when he was diagnosed with Grave’s Disease. After a year of radiation treatment, he returned home to Southern California and began working at the Hotel Metropole in Avalon. Hernandez’s ability to work well with people later helped earn him the position of Director of Group Sales with “Catalina by Design,” a Seal Beach based company specializing in adventure and recreational outings on beautiful Catalina Island. He continues to be quite involved in baseball, conducting youth clinics on the island for the children who live there.
Leslie "Les" Hord – Men's Soccer (1971-74)
If it wasn’t for Les Hord stumbling upon a soccer match between Chico State and then-Hayward State back in his high school days, who knows if Wildcat fans would have ever been able to call him one of their own. One of the top scorers in Chico State soccer history, Hord ranks fifth all-time with 33 goals scored and sixth all-time with 74 points scored during a brilliant four- year career. Hord helped lead the Cats to four consecutive Far West Conference championships and three NCAA tournament berths, including the first appearance in the NCAA Final Four in 1972. That 1972 team outscored their opponents 40-17 on the season, and posted victories over some of the top schools in the region including the University of Utah, Santa Clara University, the University of Washington, Stanford University and UC Berkeley! After graduation, Les chose to stay in Chico where he married fellow Chico grad and four-year tennis player, Tracy Gibson. Les and Tracy later opened The Redwood Forest Restaurant in downtown Chico and were able to give something back to the community that had done so much for them. During their 13 years of owning The Redwood Forest, they opened their doors for various group fundraisers helping local schools and sports teams. Les and Tracy have raised three children in Chico – Chenin, their oldest and a 2008 graduate from Chico State; Cameron, who is attending college in San Diego; and Tanner, a senior at Pleasant Valley High School and member of the PV soccer team.
Mose Mastelotto – Football (1954-56, 59), Men's Basketball (1955-56)
A local athlete who starred at Oroville High School, Mose Mastelotto went to The University of Santa Clara on a football scholarship, only to see the program dropped after his freshman year. He came back to Chico where he earned all-conference honors in 1954 and 1956 in football and also earned all-conference honors as a member of the Wildcat basketball team. One of his biggest thrills as an athlete at Chico State came on the night when the Wildcats took on the University of San Francisco. There, Mose had the task of playing against one of the greatest basketball players of all time, Bill Russell. After earning a degree in physical education, Mose went into the construction business with his family. From 1960-66, Mastelotto Enterprises supplied sand, gravel and cement for the Thermalito powerhouse and other parts of one of the most important construction jobs of the period, the Oroville Dam project. Later, the company was a chief supplier of road materials for the Interstate 5 project, and he currently runs a demolition trucking business in Oroville. Mose has done many things to help his community, including providing materials and equipment to construct two softball fields and a track at Las Plumas High School.
Phil Mickelson – Skiing (1956-58)
Phil Mickelson was a charter member of the first Chico State ski team where he qualified to compete in all five events (slalom, giant slalom, downhill, cross country and ski jumping) and is being recognized by the Athletic Hall of Fame for his leadership in enlisting Art Acker and the student government to form an intercollegiate ski team. Garth Dunning was hired as the first coach and he selected Phil as team captain because of his skiing knowledge, skills, personal traits, and leadership abilities. While at Chico State, Phil was involved not only in athletics, but also in student government, serving as junior class vice-president and senior class president. He was also involved with Blue Key, Block C Society, the Newman Club, Lambda Pi fraternity as well as being a participant with the Chico Water Ski Club. He completed his degree and four months into military training with the United States Navy, Phil was commissioned as an officer and pilot. It was during his flight training days that Phil began playing golf. After his discharge, he expanded his golf interests and created Sportscope, a periscope device used to better see over the heads of people at golf matches. Phil has devoted countless hours of his time to the community and teamed with longtime friend Mike Miller, who he met at Chico State, to develop a program that introduces golf to elementary school age children. Phil and his wife Mary raised three children all of whom were taught golf in their backyard at an early age. They have all enjoyed outstanding success in the sport. His daughter, Tina, is a golf pro and instructor, while his son, Tim, is the golf coach at the University of San Diego. Of course, his other son Phil, Jr., is one of the top-ranked golfers in the world.
William "Bill" Mickelson – Golf and Skiing (1948-51)
When Bill Mickelson was nine years old, he played his first round of golf—it was a one hole course he created in his back yard using a tomato can as the golf cup, a willow branch as his club and some old golf balls he found on his property. That love of golf continued when he came to Chico State in 1947, and as a student, Bill collaborated with Art Acker, Mac Martin and Willie Simmons to reinstate the Chico State golf team. Bill went on to play four years of golf and was also a member of the ski team for four years while at Chico State. Bill was also heavily involved in campus life, serving as both junior and senior class president as well as being a member of Delta Psi Delta fraternity and the Block C Society. After graduation, Bill taught at both Hooker Oak and Chapman Elementary schools. One day on the golf course, Bill met a gentleman from the Humble Oil & Refining Company. He began working part-time for Humble Oil while still teaching, and in 1955, moved to Los Angeles to take a full time position with Humble. This was the beginning of a very successful career in the oil exploration business, but through it all, his love of golf never waned. Bill has competed and won various amateur tournaments, and he and his wife Pat are always there to encourage and support young golfers. In 2003, Bill was named one of the University’s Distinguished Alumni, one of less than 100 alumni to receive that honor.
Rich Miller – Football (1962-65), Track & Field (1963-66), Baseball (1963), Boxing (1965)
Rich Miller came to Chico State in the fall of 1962 and immediately became involved with the intercollegiate athletic program. Rich began his Wildcat career with the football team, earning all-conference honorable mention honors in 1963 and 1964, and was voted the team’s outstanding lineman in 1963. In the spring of ’63, Rich turned his attention to track and field and it is there that he achieved his greatest success as a Wildcat. He finished third in the javelin at the conference championship meet as a freshman. He duplicated that finish his sophomore season, but really took center stage as a junior, capturing the Far West Conference crown in the javelin, and earning a trip to the NCAA national championship meet. There, Rich earned first team All-America honors thanks to his third place overall finish. Rich successfully defended his conference championship the following year and again, placed third at the national championships, earning him his second straight first team All-America honor. His success was further rewarded when he was named Chico State’s Outstanding Senior Athlete and was also named the Scholar-Athlete Award winner. After graduation, Rich spent ten years coaching and teaching in the Lake Tahoe area before getting into the vacation ownership business until his retirement.
Josh Osborn – Baseball (1997-98)
The “Don Drysdale” to John-Eric Hernandez’ “Sandy Koufax,” Josh Osborn came to Chico State after two years at Butte JC. With offers from several schools falling apart for various reasons, it was a last minute phone call from then head coach Lindsay Meggs that began what Josh calls “a journey of a lifetime.” Josh had the honor of throwing the first pitch at Nettleton Stadium and from that point on, became one of the most dominant pitchers in the history of the program. In his first season as a Wildcat, Josh went 13-1 and was named the Northern California Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year. Josh, and fellow inductee Hernandez, then led the Cats to the West Region championship and the school’s first NCAA national title in baseball – a feat even more remarkable considering the team consisted of all non-scholarship athletes. Josh was named the 1997 West Region Pitcher of the Year and first team All-America. In 1998, it was almost a carbon copy performance for Josh as he compiled an 11-2 mark, was named NCAC and West Region Pitcher of the Year, and collected his second first team All-America honor as well. Josh credits Hernandez for a lot of his success and in return, John-Eric calls Josh “the best teammate a baseball player could ask for.” Josh’s career mark of 24-3 (.889) is the second highest winning percentage in school history and his 24 victories is the third highest total – another remarkable feat considering he only played two seasons in a Wildcat uniform.
Donna Peirano – Field Hockey (1969-72), Women's Basketball (1969-72), Softball (1969-70)
A pioneer in the women’s athletic program at Chico State, Donna Peirano enjoyed success in three different sports while wearing the Wildcat uniform. On the hardwood, Donna was one of the team’s top scorers for head coach Fran Coslet while she guarded the goal in field hockey for coach Joan Wallace. Periano’s greatest, and most extended success came with coach Wallace and the Chico Peppers softball team, a squad she competed with for 10 years. As a member of the Peppers in the 70s and 80s, Donna gained recognition throughout the nation and the world as they captured championships from Texas to Georgia and points in between. The Peppers gathered again in the 1990s as a World Master team and once again, it was Periano and her teammates hoisting another national championship – this time in the 35 and over age group. The team moved on to participate in the World Masters Games, capturing the silver medal in Australia and four years later, wearing the gold medal at the games in Portland, Oregon. Meanwhile, while not on the softball field, Donna was blazing another trail for women, this time in the field of business. After graduating from Chico State and earning a teaching credential, she became a teacher/coach at Fall River High School. Donna hoped to return to Chico and find a teaching position, but there were none available, so she took a job with Pacific Bell where she became the company’s first ever pole climber splicing telephone lines. Through her actions in athletics and in the workforce, Donna Periano made a big difference for women and the community at large.
Gwynne Schwartz – Track & Field (1983-86)
Chico native Gwynne Schwartz established herself in the local running world running for Chico High School and later for Butte Junior College. After earning her AA degree in business administration from Butte, Gwynne came to Chico State with a newfound level of competitive intensity. Embracing the concept of hard work and dedication, Gwynn was never hesitant to put in the hours necessary to achieve the success she desired, both on the track and in the classroom. Academically, Gwynne created a special major in Apparel Design within the home economics department. On the track, she became one of the top sprinters in Chico State history, establishing the school record in the 400-meter dash—a mark that stands to this day nearly a quarter of a century later. Schwartz earned the women’s track team first All-America award in 1986, and still ranks among the school’s all-time top ten in both the 100 and 200 meters as well as being part of the 4x100 relay team. After graduation, Gwynne took what she had learned in her special major and applied it to the business world, eventually becoming the business manager for Gottschalks department stores. As an area manager, she assisted in the opening of new stores, trained new employees and was in charge of merchandising education.
Paul Sengo – Wrestling (1959-61)
Wrestlers are a special breed and no one encapsulates a wrestler’s drive and determination better than Paul Sengo. Overcoming a very difficult childhood, Sengo came to Chico State with no background in the sport of wrestling, just a tenacity to learn it. He became a member of the school’s first wrestling team in 1959, was named captain of that team and held that position throughout his tenure. Sengo dominated his weight class, winning the Far West Conference championship three straight years, culminating in a trip to the NCAA national championships in 1961. But his greatest achievement wasn’t on the mat, but was instead going to bat for troubled kids as principal of Del Valle Continuation High School in Livermore where for 27 years, he helped young men and women appreciate the value of an education and go on to better their own lives. There are countless stories of young men and women who benefited from Paul’s personal touch. From the home visits to prospective students to the nurturing environment he created at Del Valle, his story is truly inspirational. Paul returned to Chico after his retirement and the town is better for it. As one of his former students said about him, “He’s the best principal. He trusts his kids. There’s no bad points about him.”
