Nine more inducted onto FHS
Athletic Wall of Champions

On October the 7th nine more inductions were made into the Fresno High Athletic Wall of Champions. Over 300 people attended the 3rd Annual dinner at Pardinis.

KMPH-TV personality and FHS alumnus, Kopi Sotiropulos, was the master of ceremonies

With the new inductees, it brings the total number of individual athletes, teams and coaches that have already been inducted onto The Wall of Champions to 29.

This year’s inductees included Jim Jurkovich, who was the top high school athlete in the state of California in the 1938-39 school year. Although Jim was not able to attend, a table full of the Jurkovich family came from all over Northern and Central California to attend.

After high school Jurkovich attended Cal Berkeley, as did Irving “Crip” Toomey, the star halfback on the great 1920 Cal “Wonder Team”, who was inducted posthumously.

Bernard “Bernie” Allard, one of the best athletes to ever compete at Fresno High and who went on to set a high jump record at Notre Dame and star on US national track and field teams in the mid 50’s, told those at the dinner, including 60 present day FHS student-athletes, that he attributes much of his success in sports and the Law to his early training from his coaches and teachers at Fresno High.

Lee Angelich, who was inducted as a coach, amused those in attendance with his recollections of some of the players that were on his championship Warrior basketball teams of the late 1950’s and early 60’s. He also said in a more serious vain, if he was to be asked who would be on his list of all time top players that he had coached, the number one name on the list would be Tom Jacobsen, who was also inducted posthumously at the dinner

Jacobsen started on 3 NYL championship basketball teams for Angelich and was the 3rd basemen on the great 1958 baseball team before going on to stardom at Fresno state in both sports in the early 1960’s.

Don” Brownie” Van Galder, who was the youngest of 5 Van Galder brothers who were sons of Fresno State Football coach Clark Van Galder, reflected on the high goals and reaching for success that the athletic teams of Fresno High had during his playing years at the school during the late 1960’s.

Fred Bartels, who was an all-around athlete at Fresno High in the late 40’s and played on two of Pete Beiden’s best Fresno State baseball team in the early 50’s, recalled what it was like playing for Beiden and coaching future major leaguers Dick Selma and Baseball Hall of Famer Tom Seaver during their playing days at Fresno High.

Warren Schmidt, Paul Nielsen and Harold Barnell were inducted as members of the 1951 Valley Championship Fresno High basketball team. Dr. Eugene Lowe accepted a medallion for his bother David, who was one of the teams leading scorers that season and
who unexpectedly passed away shortly after graduating from Fresno High and enrolling at Cal Berkeley. Dr. Lowe said his brother would have been honored to see his 1951 team inducted at the dinner.

Billy Wayte , who played football and ran track at Fresno High and played 6 years in the Canadian Football League before coaching football and tennis at Fresno City College ,was asked what’s the biggest difference between pro football in the United States and that in Canada. He hesitated for a couple of seconds and answered “THEY paid me”

When it is finally put into its permanent exhibit, the “Wall of Champions” will include inductee picture plaques and a TV screen that will allow students and visitors to the school to search and play the 2 ½ to 3 minute videos produced for all previous, present and future inductees.

The FHS Alumni Association has a goal to get the Wall of Champions up and running in Royce Hall this school year. The first dinners helped create a base to work from
but we need some monetary help to finish the project.

Any individual or company that would like to help out with the funding of the final push for construction of the permanent Wall of Champions display in Royce Hall can contact any of the following people.

Chairman FHS Alumni Association

Jack Fowler
559-291-3533
jkfamf@worldnet.att.net

Co-Chairs, FHS Wall of Champions Committee:

Dave Brase
559- 485-5500
dave@webcitypress.com

Jim Fugman
559- 273-6933
jfugman84@comcast.net