(1908 – July 24, 1981) Mark “Buck” Grayson was a three-sport athlete at Jefferson High, who starred at Oregon State and then had a distinguished career as a city commissioner in Portland.
Grayson played football, basketball and baseball at Jefferson, where he was named All-PIL in all three sports.
Mark came to Oregon State in 1928 as part of Slats Gill’s first basketball squad. At OSU, he helped the team to winning records three consecutive seasons, a total win-loss of 45-30. In 1930, Grayson scored a Beaver-season-high 18 points against Stanford and was selected second-team All-America by College Humor Magazine in 1930. He was also named All-Coast and the Northern Division in scoring.
In 1958, Grayson won a primary election of 18 candidates and the general election to become Portland’s Commissioner for Position 2. He served until 1970.
Mark also was deeply involved in organizing and executing sporting events in Portland. He coordinated the world softball tournaments held in Portland in 1949, 1950 and 1963 and also was a leader in the Oregon AAU boxing program and Golden Gloves Amateur Boxing Tournament. Mayor Frank Ivancie appointed Grayson to the original renovation committee for Civic Stadium in 1981. Buck Grayson is a member of the Oregon State and PIL halls of fame.