(Mar. 18, 1898 – Jan. 2, 1989) George “Gap” Powell played, coached and recruited for Oregon State during his lifetime on the Pacific Coast. Powell, born in 1898, was part of the first graduating class from Portland’s Franklin High School, and played fullback at Oregon State from 1918 to 1921, earning the distinction of being..Read More
(born Nov. 19, 1949) Ahmad Rashad played his way into the hearts of Oregonians as a standout running back and receiver for the University of Oregon, as a receiver in the NFL, and then as a broadcaster on NBC. Born in Portland in 1949, Rashad grew up in Tacoma, Wash., under his birth name, Bobby..Read More
(born Dec. 30, 1941) Mel Renfro established himself as a standout in high school, college and with a Hall of Fame career in the National Football League. Born in Houston in 1941, Renfro grew up in Portland and attended Jefferson High, where he starred in football and track and field. With Renfro catching passes from..Read More
(Oct. 14, 1908 – Nov. 18, 1979) Adolphe Schwammel played three seasons at Oregon State, then won two NFL titles in five seasons with the Green Bay Packers. Born in 1908, Schwammel grew up in Oakland, Calif., and played on the offensive line at OSU from 1931-33. In those years, the Beavers were a combined..Read More
(Mar. 14, 1918 – Sep. 21, 2006) Vic Sears played his way from Central Oregon, through Corvallis and into a spot in state sports lore as a durable lineman on Oregon State’s first bowl team. Born in Ashwood in 1918, Sears found his way to Oregon State and played there for three varsity seasons (1938-40)..Read More
(born Nov. 7, 1937) Aaron Thomas had an all-star career at Oregon State and in the NFL before becoming an ardent Beavers’ booster. Born in 1937, Thomas played receiver at OSU from 1958-60. He played in the East-West Shrine Game following his junior season, and the College All-Star Game, Coaches All-America Bowl, and the Senior..Read More
(Mar. 15, 1926 – May 2, 1983) Norm Van Brocklin established the tradition of quarterback excellence at the University of Oregon, won two championships in the National Football League and coached for 13 seasons in the NFL before the age of 50. Van Brocklin was born in 1926 in South Dakota, but grew up in..Read More
(Sep 29, 1942 – Apr 19, 2023) Dave Wilcox played his way from eastern Oregon into the National Football League Hall of Fame as an intimidating lineman and linebacker. Born in 1942, Wilcox grew up in Vale and graduated in 1960 having led the Vikings to three state title games, with wins in ’58 and..Read More
(Jan. 29, 1933 – Mar. 17, 1993) John Witte made a name for himself as a standout lineman on Oregon State’s 1957 Rose Bowl team as well as a national-caliber wrestler. Witte played under coach Kip Taylor in 1951-52 before joining the military during the Korean War. He returned to play under Tommy Prothro and..Read More
(Jan. 8, 1917 – Mar. 26, 2000) Len Younce earned his spot in the state’s sports memory as a scrappy lineman who helped Oregon State to its first bowl game and then reached the NFL. Born in Dayton in 1917, Younce graduated from Portland’s Roosevelt High and enrolled at Oregon State, where he played three..Read More