It is no surprise that good coaches create more good coaches in their wake. Mike Clopton (b. Dec 7, 1946) was fortunate in his youth to be surrounded by Portland’s rich baseball scene which would lead to a 38-year career as a very successful high school head coach.
Mike was a product of Jack Dunn’s program at Cleveland High School, playing on teams with future MLB manager Tom Trebelhorn and battling the likes of Wilson & Madison high schools and their own future major leaguers.
It was coach Roy Love who encouraged Clopton with a scholarship to Portland State where he played and later served as assistant coach.
Straight outta PSU, Mike Clopton became head coach at Jackson High School from 1977-82 where he won 2 PIL Western Division titles. When Jackson closed, Clopton and other staff moved to Wilson.
Mike would also coach football, girls’ basketball, teach business and serve as assistant athletic director.
But baseball was #1. For 32 years Clopton guided the Trojans, winning the PIL title 11 times and two state championships including a thrilling walk off victory in 2012. His total high school record is 613 wins, 438 losses. That’s #6 on Oregon’s all-time list. Mike was honored as National Coach of the Year following that 2012 season.
Mike Clopton’s baseball life was not limited to high school teams. He coached American Legion for 40 seasons plus Babe Ruth and even Little League softball when daughter Denise played for Mt. Sylvania. Mike estimates he has coached over 3,000 games in his baseball life.
Clopton always put his business acumen to work with his teams, maintaining meticulous files of statistics, player notes, even uniform sizes. He was also an outstanding fundraiser, bringing in over one million dollars in 51 years as player, coach, and administrator.
The baseball field at what is now Ida B. Wells High School is named for Mike and wife Gayle.
The torch is now passed. Over 50 of Clopton’s former players have gone on to become coaches in high school and youth programs.
Mike enjoys retirement, traveling with baseball buddies and time with Gayle, children Denise and Kevin and four grandchildren.
Mike Clopton is already a member of the PIL Hall of Fame and the Oregon baseball Coaches Hall of Fame.
MIKE CLOPTON HONOR ROLL
- 2-time Oregon Coach of the Year
- 9-time PIL Coach of the Year
- ABCA National Coach of the Year 2012
- PIL Hall of Fame 2015
- Oregon High School Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame 2015
- Merit Award Old Timers 2011
- Merit Award & Lifetime Achievement Award-Northwest Star Clinic
- Merit Award Portland Amateur Baseball Association