You know him these day as “The Godfather.” That is an appropriate moniker for Dwight Jaynes (b. Nov 13, 1947) after 25 years as a Portland newspaperman and, now a multi-platform journalist, still revered for telling it like it is. He is Rose City by birth, attended Cleveland High School and Portland State University, fortunate..Read More
For more than 45 years in the newspaper business – more than 28 as a sports columnist – George Pasero (Apr 10, 1917 – Mar 6, 1997) remains not only widely respected by his professional colleagues, but a beloved friend to most people who have known him during his career. The son of Italian immigrant..Read More
(Aug. 6, 1904 – Apr. 22, 1990) Leo Harris was the first athletic director at the University of Oregon and from 1947 to 1968 held that position. Harris was a financial wizard. Among his major accomplishments at Oregon were the construction of Autzen Stadium (completely paid for on opening day), improvements at Howe Field and..Read More
(March 5, 1925 – October 24, 2016) As a long time businessman & philanthropist in the Portland area, Harry Merlo has had a hand in the local sports world on high school, collegiate, and professional levels. With specific ties to tennis & soccer, he’s provided key infrastructure and financial support that have kept our athletes..Read More
(1921 – 1983) A legend of Oregon sports writing, Leo Davis had the talent to be both cruel and kind, long before punditry and hyperbole held center stage in sports journalism. The California native anchored the sports department at the Redmond Spokesman, in Redmond, Oregon, from 1949-1960 before beginning a memorable 23 year run as..Read More
(Born November 22, 1933) Morris “Bucky” Buckwalter went from LaGrande to the top of the pro basketball world through a career as a player, coach and then scout and executive, helping develop the Blazers roster that reached the NBA Finals in 1990 and ’92. Buckwalter grew up in LaGrande and played collegiately at the University..Read More
(Born August 9, 1941) Jack Elder is an Olympian with some very big ideas. 1984 was not the first time he asked the questions “what if” or “why not”. But it was when he joined Winter Olympics Oregon (or WOO) with its purpose of bidding to host the Winter Olympic Games. It hasn’t happened yet,..Read More
(Born March 19, 1945) The president of the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame has lived his dream of bringing sports and fitness to the community many times over. Chuck Richards was a three-time All-American while at Stadium High School in Tacoma in the early 1960s. Richards won six Washington state championships in freestyle, butterfly and..Read More
The face of St. Mary’s Academy athletics from her playing days to her current job as athletic director, Anna Maria Lopez (b. Feb 19, 1960) is as distinguished as a role model as she was a competitor. Between 1974 and 1978, Lopez was the dominant female prep athlete in the state, some might say dominant..Read More
Candi Murray (b. Jan 2, 1951) is recognized as the mother of Oregon bike racing, heading up one of the most successful independent racing associations in the country, the Oregon Bicycle Racing Association (OBRA). For over 20 years, she has provided the organization with business leadership, helping it achieve one of the highest membership levels..Read More