The Chico State Athletics Hall of Fame committee has unveiled its class of 2015, which features eleven of the department's all-time greats: Paul Dennis Chase (Gymnastics, 1975-80), J.J. Jakovac (Golf, 2001-04), Ben Pollock (Soccer, 1985-89), Margaret Pridgen (Cross Country, 2002-03; Track & Field, 2003-04), Robb Shultz (Golf, 1965-67), David Tittle (Swimming 1975-78), Christopher Webb (Swimming, 1973-76), Marissa Bradley Wink (Basketball, 1997-2001), Chris Wondolowski (Soccer, 2001-05), and honorary inductees Ray Lorenz Bright and Mike O'Malley.
The Banquet will take place on Saturday, Oct. 10, at the Bell Memorial Union on the Chico State campus. Tickets – $45 or $340 for a table of eight – can be purchased by calling the Chico State Athletic Department at (530) 898-6470 or by filling out
THIS FORM and sending it, along with a check. The deadline to RSVP is on Sept. 25. The event will begin with a social hour at 5:30, dinner will be served at 7, and the induction ceremony will begin at 7:30.
Legendary prep wrestling coach Wayne Branstetter and the 2003 men's soccer team will also be honored. Branstetter will be the first to receive the revamped Mac Martin Award, re-created to honor former Chico State athletes who have distinguished themselves in their post-collegiate career by bringing distinction to the University, community and their vocation.
The inductees:
Paul (Dennis) ChaseChase went by his middle name, Dennis, while competing at Chico State. He is also known as one of the greatest gymnasts in the University's history. Bright, his former coach and an honorary inductee to this Hall of Fame class, considers him the program's best ever all-around gymnast.
Chase won NCAA Championships in the vault in 1977 and 1978, and finished third at the 1978 Division I Championships. Chase was a 13-time All-American at Chico State. His 1978 score in the vault, a 9.7, was an NCAA record.
Chase helped lead the Wildcats to a second-place finish at the 1980 NCAA Championships and three more top-six efforts.
After graduation, Chase worked as a gymnastics coach in Concord and then Hawaii, where he was also a professional cliff diver at Waimea Falls. Now the owner of a pool care business, Chase and his wife, Sandra, are the proud parents of five children.
J.J. JakovacFrom 2002-2004 there was not a better golfer at the Division II level, and perhaps at any collegiate level. The NCAA Individual medalist in 2002 and 2004 and three-time first team All-American, Jakovac was the face of a Wildcat golf program that was evolving into one of the nation's finest.
As his coach Keith Thomas said, Jakovac was "so well known across the country it was remarkable. People would seek out our team just to see him."
The two-time winner of the Arnold Palmer Award, given to the Division II Player of the Year, Jakovac was the recipient of the 2004 Jack Nicklaus Award, given annually to the most outstanding collegiate golfer in the nation, regardless of division.
Jakovac went on to play the professionally before shifting his focus to caddying. He's currently on the bag for Ryan Moore, ranked 39th in the official World Golf Rankings.
Ben PollockLegendary Head Coach Don Batie calls Pollock "without a doubt the greatest goal scorer that I ever had the pleasure of coaching." The Chico State men's soccer record book confirms that fact. Pollock is the program's career leader in goals (44), assists (29) and points (117).
Pollock led the Northern California Athletic Conference in scoring, assists and points in each of his final three years in a Chico State uniform. He's one of only two players to earn two All-America honors in the history of the program. And he's the only one to be named First Team All-West Region four times.
Pollock played professionally after being selected 21st overall in the 1989 Major Indoor Soccer League draft by the Dallas Sidekicks. At that time, the MISL was the nation's top professional soccer league.
Following his professional career in which he netted 60 goals, Pollock polished up his golf game. Back living in Chico and working in sales for a local construction company, Pollock is among the area's most accomplished golfers.
Margaret PridgenPridgen was, in her words, "just an average runner" in high school. By the time she graduated from Chico State, she was anything but average. Pridgen led Chico State's women's cross country program to its first conference championship, first West Regional title, and first trophy finish at the NCAA Championships.
Pridgen was as dominating a distance runner as Chico State has seen. A two-time All- CCAA and an All-West Region pick in cross country, Pridgen also made her mark on the track, breaking school records in the 800 and 1,500 meters and earning All-CCAA honors both years. She captured the CCAA's 1,500-meter title and earned All-America honors in in that same event, finishing seventh in the nation.
Pridgen currently lives in Chicago and works as a preschool teacher. She recently received her Master's Degree in Child Development. She's also a long-time volunteer for Catholic Charities Supper and Children's Memorial Hospital.
Robb ShultzA two-time First Team All-American, Shultz led the Wildcats to the 1966 National College Division Championship. He finished second in the tournament, hosted by Bidwell Park Golf Course and Butte Creek Country Club in Chico, and qualified for the NCAA University Division Golf Championship Tournament at Stanford.
There, Shultz was paired up with Johnny Miller and outshot the legend on his home Stanford course.
Shultz boasted an astounding six hole-in-ones during his college years and fired course records at Indian Valley Golf Club, Rohnert Park Golf Club and Fallon Golf Club.
Shultz later attended seminary and worked as a minister for 13 years. Most recently he's worked as a teacher, coach and author. As a teacher at Rosehill Christian School in Tomball, Tex., Shultz started a brand new golf team. He led the boys to the regional championships during the program's first year and the state championships in their second.
Since then he has had two books published: "God and the Golfer," and most recently, "The Seventh Elf."
David TittleTittle is one of those guys folks are always looking up to. Not just because he's a pilot for American Airlines. He's married with three kids (including one who graduated from Chico State) and also plays in a band with his best friends.
Before all that, Tittle created a legacy in the Chico State pool by winning 10 NCAA titles. He won individual titles in the 100- and 200-meter freestyle in 1977 and the 50- and 200-yard freestyle in 1978. He was also part of six NCAA Champion relay teams while leading the Wildcats to the 1976 NCAA Championship and two more top-three finishes. During that three-year run, the Wildcats also won three straight Far Western Conference Championships.
Tittle would have challenged the school record for NCAA titles had he not chosen to transfer to Embry Riddle Aeronautical University to pursue his career following his junior year in the pool.
He racked up 17 All-America honors, out of a possible 18, and ranks third among Chico State swimmers and divers in points scored at the NCAA Championships while competing as an individual (129). He also set four NCAA Division II records and six school records.
Christopher WebbFour years. Four NCAA Championship teams. Six NCAA Championship relay golds. One individual NCAA title. It all added up to one heck of a collegiate swimming career for Webb.
One of three swimmers to be on four NCAA Championship teams at Chico State, Webb won the NCAA Championship in the 100-meter freestyle as a freshman. He also contributed to the team's 800-meter freestyle relay national title while leading the Wildcats to their first team national title.
Webb swam to three national relay titles as a sophomore, two as a junior, and capped his illustrious career as a member of the NCAA Champion 400-meter relay team as a senior.
A 21-time All-American, Webb earned the honor 11 times as an individual and 10 times as a member of relay teams. He ranks fourth in the program's history in individual points scored at the National Championships and broke school records 11 times along the way.
Webb has taught high school art for the past 26 years. He and his wife, Carol, both artists and art educators, continue to create art and often collaborate on pieces.
They have four children and five grandchildren.
Marissa (Bradley) WinkThe Chico State women's basketball record book was never the same after Marissa (Bradley) Wink got through with it. For her, making positive changes is the rule, not the exception.
Still the University's career leader in points, steals and free throws, Bradley also holds the single-game scoring record of 37 points, set during her freshman year.
Wink was the first female to be honored as the Chico Sportsperson of the Year in 2001, and as a member of the Dean's List and National Honor Society for four consecutive seasons, an easy choice for the Richard Dahl Scholar Athlete of the Year Award that same year.
After the Wildcats went 13-14 during her freshman season, they were 52-28 over the next three.
She's continued that trend of making things better. A math and P.E. teacher at an at-risk middle school in La Habra, Wink developed a cross-fit fitness course and recycling program, which helps pay for now sports equipment. She coaches basketball and has organized numerous programs to get kids healthy and fit. She's been nominated for Educator of the Year in the California League of Middle Schools.
Wink and her husband, Sean, have two children: Addyson and Braxton.
Chris WondolowskiWondolowski is perhaps the most decorated NCAA Division II athlete ever. His list of accomplishments is voluminous.
A frequent member of the U.S. Men's National Team, with 31 career appearances, Wondolowski ranks 20th all-time in goals scored for the National Team with 10.
As a member of Major League Soccer's San Jose Earthquakes, Wondolowski is a two-time Golden Boot winner as the league's leading scorer. He set the league record for goals in a season with 27 in 2012 and ranks seventh in MLS history with 102 career tallies. He ranks third all-time with 35 game-winning goals.
When Wondolowski was named Most Valuable Player of MLS after his historic 2012 season, he became the first Division II athlete to be named the MVP of any major professional league.
At Chico State, Wondolowski helped lead the 'Cats to the 2003 NCAA Division II Men's Soccer Championship title match. During his stellar collegiate career, he was Second Team All-American, First Team All-West Region, and a four-time First Team All-CCAA player.
Chris' greatest accomplishment of all, however, is his beautiful family. He is married to Lindsey Karkula, a former Chico State volleyball player. Chris and Lindsey are the proud parents of a one-year old daughter, Emersyn.
Honorary Inductee Ray (Lorenz) BrightBright was known nationwide for the success and recognition he brought to Chico State through during his tenure as head gymnastics coach from 1968 to 1985. Beginning his tenure by recruiting P.E. students, Bright built the Wildcats into a national powerhouse. His teams won eight Far Western Conference championships – the first in 1972 – and consistently placed among the top six teams at the NCAA Championships.
Numerous Wildcats won NCAA individual titles, more than 40 earned All-America honors, and six qualified for the NCAA Division I Championships, with two earning All-America honors there.
Under Bright's direction, Chico State consistently hosted world-class gymnasts and teams for exhibitions and competitions. Meanwhile, the nation's top collegiate programs were regular visitors to Acker Gym, where events would often sell out.
The Wildcats were also the only men's collegiate gymnastics program to include women.
Bright's former athletes remember him most for his dedication and devotion to his team and the sport. He created a gymnastics family at Chico State, which is his true legacy.
Honorary Inductee Mike O'MalleyO'Malley's 117 wins at Chico State are the second most in the program's history and he retired with a 15-year collegiate coaching record of 155-129-16. He led the Wildcats to the greatest season in the program's history in 2003, earning National Coach of the Year and West Region Coach of the Year honors.
As a player at Chico State, O'Malley helped lead the Wildcats to consecutive West Region titles in 1971 and 1972. In his senior season, the Wildcats made their first ever appearance in the Final Four, finishing third.
In short, the Chico State men's soccer program and Mike O'Malley were synonymous for almost 40 years.
"I have had the pleasure of knowing Mike O'Malley as a player, a coach, and a colleague," Hall of Famer Don Batie said. "In my opinion, his contribution to Chico State Soccer is unsurpassed. As a player, he led his team to championships. As a coach, he led his 2003 team to the best season in Chico State history. As a colleague, he is a trusted friend. I can think of no one who deserves more to be in the Chico State Athletics Hall of Fame." ?
Mac Martin Award winner Wayne BranstetterThe powaywrestling.com website features a list of Branstetter's quotes. One of them is very apropos.
"You don't have to talk," he says. "When you're good, people will do the talking for you." The Chico State Athletics Hall of Fame Board is grateful to shed some light on just how good Branstetter has been.
Branstetter will be the first to be honored with the re-imagined version of the Mac Martin Award, created to honor former Chico State athletes who have distinguished themselves in their post-collegiate career by bringing distinction to the University, community and their vocation.
After spending two successful seasons as a wrestler for the Wildcats, Branstetter embarked on a legendary high school coaching journey that may be unrivaled in state history.
A member of the California Coaches Association Hall of Fame, National Wrestling Hall of Fame, Ventura Junior College Hall of Fame, and California Wrestling Hall of Fame, Branstetter is a three-time National Coach of the Year.
Branstetter began his coaching career at Channel Island High School in Oxnard, tasked with starting a brand new program. He quick transformed it into a powerhouse. Channel Island had won 49 consecutive dual matches when he departed to take over the program at Poway High School in 1978. At Poway, Branstetter's teams have racked up four state titles, 32 section titles and a dual-match winning streak of 157 and counting.
The 2003 Men's Soccer TeamThe Wildcats advanced all the way to the NCAA Championship title match and finished the season 21-5-1. It marked an 11.5-game turnaround from 2002, at the time the greatest single-season improvement in D-II history.
With 11 different players registering at least four goals and/or assists, the Wildcats scored a school-record 63 goals, led by the Second Team All-American Wondolowski's 12 goals and eight helpers. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Dominik Jakubek earned First Team All-America honors with a sparkling .811 saves percentage and 11 shutouts. Jesse Grigg, Dustin Tong and Robbie Busick joined Jakubek and Wondolowski on the All-CCAA team.
The complete 2003 roster:
Dominik Jakubek
Keegan Fraschieri
Robby Busick
Enrique Tadeo
Dustin Tong
Jordan Bryant
Jesse Grigg
Chris Wondolowski
Jake Stauffer
Michael Esser
Matthew Doty
Kevin Kuiper
Ryan Grange
Jason Phillips
Jaime Rodriguez
Spencer Stanton
Matthew Dallman
Rusty Phillips
Brian Phillips
Brett Williams
Gavin Edgell
Tony Minnitti
Sebastian Jimenez
Scott Doty
Head Coach: Mike O'Malley
Assistant Coach: Larry Nees
Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer: Elesban Garcia
The Chico State Athletic Hall of FameEstablished in 1985, the Chico State Athletic Hall of Fame's mission is to recognize and honor the outstanding achievements of its former students and the meritorious efforts of coaches, staff, alumni, and friends on behalf of the University's athletic department.
Induction to the Chico State Athletic Hall of Fame is based on an individual's varsity athletic accomplishments at Chico State. Each must meet the following criteria: Completed at least two years with "unusual distinction" in one or more varsity intercollegiate programs, completed their collegiate athletic participation at Chico State, and completed their collegiate athletic eligibility at least 10 years prior to induction.
Nominations are accepted throughout the year. Simply complete
THIS NOMINATION FORM and send it in.
Honorary members of the Chico State Athletic Hall of Fame, chosen at the discretion of the Hall of Fame Board, are individuals or teams that have contributed to the athletic department with distinction.
The Mac Martin Award is given to a former Chico State student-athlete who has distinguished his/herself in their post-collegiate career by bringing distinction to the University, community and their vocation, in a similar manner that Mac Martin did.
For more on the Chico State Athletics Hall of Fame,
CLICK HERE.
