Special Contribution

Special Contribution

1992
Aug 01

Leo Harris – Special Contribution to Sports

Leo Harris

(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

1991
Aug 10

Joe Loprinzi – Special Contribution to Sports

Joe Loprinzi

(Oct. 31, 1914 – Dec. 16, 2009) Joe Loprinzi left his mark on the state as a fitness and weightlifting coach and athletic guru enough so that the Multnomah Athletic Club named a wing after him. Born in Portland in 1914, Loprinzi grew up in an athletic family that included three brothers. As a 9-year-old,..Read More

1990
Aug 18

Harold Taylor – Special Contribution to Sports

Harold Taylor

A native of Laurel, Oregon and a 1930 graduate of Estacada High School, Harold Taylor founded Taylor Electric Supply with a four-person staff more than 30 years ago and now employs 115 people in Southeast Portland. His company sponsors Junior, American Legion, and City League Baseball and Pop Warner Football. The baseball field at Rex..Read More

1989
Aug 12

NIKE Inc. – Special Contribution to Sports

Nike3

From a waffle iron and the trunk of a car, Nike is one of Oregon’s – and America’s – most inspirational business success stories. The company began in 1964 when former University of Oregon runner Phil Knight and Oregon track and field coach Bill Bowerman put in $500 each to form Blue Ribbon Sports. Knight,..Read More

1988
Aug 28

Bob Newland – Special Contribution to Sports

Bob Newland

The most successful high school track and field coach in the state’s history, winning nine state championships and finishing second once from 1948 through 1957. Newland was an all-Southern Oregon Conference quarterback two years, an all-conference guard in basketball three years, and a two-time state high jump champion. Newland won numerous honors for athletics administration...Read More

Aug 28

Tournament Golf Foundation – Special Contribution to Sports

Tournament Golf Foundation

Tournament Golf Foundation is a group of 40 area businessmen and their wives that have been bringing the LPGA Tournament to Portland for over 16 years. The organization has raised $1.4 million in prize money and over $600,000 in charity contributions since 1972. This group works every year to involve sponsors, sell tickets, and run..Read More

1987
Aug 28

Al Lightner – Special Contribution to Sports

Al Lightner

(Nov. 15, 1914 – Sep. 20, 2002) Athlete…sports official…organizer…journalist. The tags all fit when applied to Salem’s own Orland “Al” Lightner. Born in Colorado, he attended grade and high school in Stockton, California and later attended Compton Junior College where he captained the baseball team which competed against major league great Jackie Robinson. He signed..Read More

1986
Aug 16

Harry Glickman – Special Contribution to Sports

Harry Glickman

(May 13, 1924 – Jun 10, 2020) Among the Oregonians who’ve been involved with the promotion and development of professional events and teams in Oregon, Harry Glickman stands alone for his work in founding, developing and then maintaining the state’s most successful events and teams, including the Portland Trail Blazers. He is regarded as “The..Read More

Aug 16

George Pasero – Special Contribution to Sports

George Pasero

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

1985
Aug 24

George Yerkovich – Special Contribution to Sports

George Yerkovich

(Jan. 4, 1914 – Sep. 22, 1989) A native of Portland, George Yerkovich, has combined distinguished years of service in sports with a notable career in politics. He was four times elected auditor for the City of Portland, attended Portland’s Washington High School and Southern Oregon College where he participated in three sports. At Southern..Read More