By Jan Jackson
When Silverton community members gather in The Oregon Garden pavilion on Saturday, March 13, they will not only celebrate Silverton High School Athletic Department’s rich past, they will help to pave the way for its future.
The third annual gala will usher five new inductees into the Silverton Athletics Hall of Fame. The money the event raises will help the school’s developing athletic program. The evening starts at 5 p.m. with a V.I.P. reception for the Hall of Fame honorees and Gala sponsors and will be followed at 6 p.m. by a silent auction and buffet dinner.
“In 2008, in anticipation of the Silverton High School’s two campuses becoming one this fall and to introduce the concept of the Hall of Fame, the coaches of Silverton High School hosted the first annual Silverton Athletics Gala,” Kirsten Barnes, Silverton Athletics Gala chair said. “Last year, the first Hall of Fame recipients were inducted and we were able to celebrate our rich past and talked about our vision for future Foxes. The evening was a great success and we found members of the Silverton community to be supportive and generous. We were also able to give $27,000 towards the new high school’s weight room, gym décor (paint, murals, etc), coaches’ priority lists and scholarships.”
This year’s Hall of Fame inductees are: Rick Jackson, Silverton’s first state champion wrestler, class of 1962; Betty Ledgerwood Ruiz, Silverton’s state champion discus thrower and career point leader at the state level, class of 1974; Bob Mallorie, special contributor to Silverton High School athletics; Bill ‘Grandpa’ Steers, special contributor to Silverton High School Girls Basketball; and the 1991 State AAA Football Champions.
Through March 5 reservations may be made by contacting athletic secretary Colleen Heater, 503-873-6331 or email heater_colleen@silverfalls, K12.or.us. Information is also available by emailing [email protected].
Rick Jackson 1958 – 1962
Silverton’s First State Champion Wrestler
1962 AAA State Champion Wrestler @168 lbs
1962 Silverton Boy of the Year
Four Year Wrestling Letter Winner
Four Year Orangemen
Three Year Football Letter Winner
Various leadership positions
Betty Ledgerwood Ruiz 1970 – 1974
1974 State Discus Champion and Current School Record Holder 130’0”
1974 State Runner Up Shot Put
1973 State Runner Up, Discus and Shot Put
1972 State Runner Up Shot Put
1971 3rd Place Shot Put, District Champion
1971 – 1974 Shot Put District Champion
1972 – 1974 Discus
Bob Mallorie 1960s – 1970s
Special Contributor to SHS Athletics
Founding member of the Dad’s Club
Paid to send students to State events
Bought wrestling mats for the high school
Provided funds for athletes to attend camp
Provided jobs for athletes to travel abroad
Donated use of equipment and man-power to help with sports field maintenance
Bob Mallorie Special Contributor Award
Bill “Grandpa” Steers 1980s – 2000s
Provided the means for Lady Foxes
Helped SHS basketball players attend camps and tournaments for 20+ years
Spent countless hours encouraging and helping students reach their potential
#1 Fan of Lady Foxes Basketball
Kept statistics for the team
1991 State Football Champions 13 – 0
“It’s All in the Attitude”
Josh Arnold, Alex Chernabaeff, Brian Franks, Josh Groves, Damian Harmon, Justin Hendrickson, Aaron James, Josiah Kelly, Ryan Lichty, Arlo Manion, Aaron Marcoe, Karl O’Connor, Peter Perrine, Bryan Pfeifer, Ian Reid, Travis Roy, Jim Rue, Ryan Sitton Scott Steffen, Mike Stone, Adam Stutzman, Jeremy Teague, Matt Traeger, Owen Von Flue, Armando Arellano, John Berger, Dan Carsner, Levi DeShaw, Butch Fergus, Scott Jones, Steven Kent, Bill Melkomukov, Josh Price Stever Purdy, Harry Riches, Shane Ridings, Kyle Riesterer, Adam Garcia Sully, Chad Walters, Ryan Webb, David Young, Mitch, Brady and Brandon Schmidgall, Eric Traeger, Chris Maciejewski.
Managers: Amy Cavaliere Hollis, Heidi Moffit Brock, Terri Carver
Coaches: Robby Robinson, Greg Giza, Ron Stutzman, Mike Orias, John Bennett, Pat Scott, Dan McMinnimee, Noel Hygelund
Trainer: Marie Johnson Traeger
