Chico State Athletics

Chico State Athletic Hall of Fame had its beginning when the Alumni Association appointed Frank Morgan to chair a committee to form a Chico State Athletic hall of Fame. This occurred on Saturday, February 9, 1985. Frank immediately corresponded with Dr. Robin Wilson seeking his approval for establishing the Athletic Hall of Fame. Things moved rather rapidly with correspondence and communications between these two individuals with final approval occurring on April 25, 1985. Frank had informed Dr. Wilson whom he had selected as his committee for this task. They were as follows:

Frank Morgan-Chair
Harlen Adams
Eddie Booth
Dwight Carmack
Paul Chesney
John Cowan
Bush Dalrymple
Tom Evans
Mackay Martin
Ted Meriam
Ray Roberts
Dave Sigel

All of the above had strong connections to Chico State and all but two were very much involved in athletic participation when attending or associated with Chico State. The Alumni Association felt the establishing of an Athletic Hall of Fame would be a strengthening factor in bringing more active participation of alumni with Chico State. The Alumni Association was aware of Humboldt State's and Hayward State's Athletic Hall of Fame and obtained their guidelines to assist Frank and his committee to formulate procedures and by-laws.

The committee requested the help of Art Acker, long time coach at Chico State, for lists of possible inductees. Coach Acker kept excellent records on all athletes who had lettered in a sport at Chico State through 1950. He gave credits to Hubert J. McCormick for being very supportive in keeping good records during the latter's tenure as a coach at Chico State. It was decided by committee to concentrate the first year on the outstanding athletes who had participated before 1950.

This first induction ceremony was accomplished seventeen months after approval had been received from the President. Over 400 people were in attendance that evening and each year this event has proven to be one of the largest alumni events of the year. Beginning in 1989 women were elected to the Board and female athletes began to be inducted into the Chico State Athletic Hall of Fame. The women had been encouraged, especially by Mary Hellen Casamajor, to form their own Athletic Hall of Fame, but it did not happen. The Hall of Fame Board was increased to fifteen in 1989, an increase of three, and those spots were filled by women: Dorette Boyer, Elmeretta Brown, and Marilyn Williams.

From the first corrected by-laws of December 1986 to the present, membership on the board has been by appointment by the board with approval by the Athletic Director. Term of membership is for three years with possible reappointment if done so by the board. The board is divided into thirds so only one-third of the board is considered for replacement or reappointment each year. This is for continuity reasons and has worked well since 1988. Mac Martin was involved with each of the banquets beginning in 1986 until his death in 2004 and was chairman of the board from 1988 to 1994.

Eddie Booth was a charter member of the Chico State Athletic Hall of Fame and was an invaluable member of this body until his death in 1994. A lot of sports history was lost when Eddie Booth died. The President of the university, Alumni Association Director, Athletic Director and Board Chair are all ex-officio members of all committees without power to vote, except the chair, in case of a tie vote. The President of the university has final approval on all inductees and will send a letter informing each inductee.

Anyone with a strong interest in the athletic program at Chico State may serve on the Hall of Fame Board. The Board must appoint them after approval by the Athletic Director.

The nominee should have competed with unusual distinction' in one or more intercollegiate sports while attending California State University, Chico. The nominee's competition should have occurred at least 10 years prior to their induction. Only under special conditions, and where the contribution of the potential inductee was so outstanding, may the degree requirements be waived (i.e. illness, severe complications or death, or whose degree was not required before going on to professional degree programs).