The Class of 1998: ATHLETES

JOANN ATWELL-SCRIVNER (1972-1976)

JoAnn Atwell-Scrivner lettered 11 times at Willamette-four in volleyball, three in both softball and field hockey, and one in basketball. She was selected all-conference in volleyball (twice), field hockey and softball, and played on conference championship teams in each sport. She obtained a master’s degree in health sciences from Whitworth College in 1979, which led to lengthy career as a collegiate volleyball coach. She coach at Whitworth from 1978-84 and has been heard coach at Seattle Pacific University since starting the program there in 1986. Prior to the 1998 season, her cumulative head coaching record was 433-291. She was named NAIA District I Coach of the Year twice at Whitwoth and once at Seattle Pacific. Six of her players at those two schools have earned All- America honors.

ANTHONY JO "TONY" FRAIOLA (1940-1944)

Anthony Jo “Tony” Fraiola came to Willamette after a brief stint in the Marines. He lettered all four years in football at left guard, leading the Bearcats to three straight Northwest Conference titles until, in 19t43, the impact of World War II limited Willamette to a three-game season. Fraiola’s impact on the Northwest small college football was immediate, and following his freshman year in 1940 all nine of Willamette’s foes selected him to their “all-opponent team.” He was on Willamette’s famous “Pearl Harbor Team” in 1941, the year he as named Little All America by the Associated Press. Fraiola was so taken by Hawaii that he returned there after school, met his Japanese wife, and coached in Hawaii schools for 32 years.

GREG HANSEN (1978-1982)

Greg Hansen is perhaps the best multi-event track and field athlete Willamette has ever had. He won the long jump championship all four years in both the Northwest Conference and NAIA District II meets, and capped his career by placing fourth in the decathlon at the NAIA national meet. In four seasons, he won nine Northwest Conference Championships (including relays) and eight individual NAIA District II titles. As of his induction, he still ranks No. 2 all-time at Willamette in the long jump (23-9); No. 3 in the decathlon (6,825); No. 4 in the pole volt (14-8 1/4) and No. 6 in the 400 (48.94). During Hansen’s career, the Bearcat track team won three conference titles (1979, ’81, ’82) and one District II trophy (1982).

NORM HARDY (1972-1976)

Norm Hardy capped a brilliant four-year career in baseball by being named to the NAIA All-American second team after his senior year in 1976. As of his induction, he is one of just two Willamette baseball players to ever earn such national acclaim. The infielder hit over .400 his last three seasons in a Bearcat uniform and he was voted the Most Valuable Player of NAIA District II in 1976. Hardy was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in 1975, but chose to return to Willamette for his senior year. Hardy also lettered in basketball.

MIKE SHINN (1965-1969)

Mike Shinn lettered four years as a quarterback, becoming the starter late in his freshman year. Shinn led the Bearcats to a 7-2 season in 1967 and a 9-1 campaign in 1968. The 1968 squad, which was ranked No. 3 in the nation and advanced to the NAIA semifinals, became the first team inducted into the Willamette University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1993. In an era when moving the football was still done primarily on the ground, the Bearcats went to the air with great success, despite Shinn being only 5-foot-8. He set four school records in passing by the time he graduated. In his four seasons, Shinn completed 315 of 633 passes for 4,725 yards and 43 touchdowns.

The Class of 1998: TEAM

1987 MEN"S TRACK & FIELD TEAM

The 1987 men's track & field team was led by Hall of Fame head coach Chuck Bowles.

The Bearcats were the dominant team in the pacific Northwest, easily winning both the Northwest Conference and NAIA District II championship meet. The team went on to place 15th at the NCAA Division III National Championships.

Willamette was led by junior Kevin Connors, freshman Gareth Pooleon and senior David Scearce. Sceasrce helped the Bearcats take 12 of 19 events at the conference meet, winning titles in the 200, 400 and both relays. Connors won the triple jump and Pooleon claimed the long jump and both ran on the winning relays

At the district meet one week later, the Bearcats crowned five individual champions: Connors (triple jump); Pooleon (long jump); freshman Jim Williams (javelin); senior Bob DeVyldere (400 Hurdles) and junior Randy Jacobs (10k walk).

At nationals, Williams placed third in the javelin, Connors took fourth in the triple jump, DeVyldere placed sixth in the 400 hurdles and Pooleon finished eigth in the long jump. Jacobs went on to the NAIA national meet in the 10k walk, where he placed seventh.

Sophomore Sam Lapray, the Bearcats' other captain, and freshmen David Collins were also big point accumulators throughout the season.

Williams' top throw of 211' 11" in the javelin and Jacobs' 10k time of 46:56.2 remain school records. David Collins, a freshen in 1987, tossed the hammer 176-1 a year later and that mark is still a school records, too.

The Class of 1998: MERITORIOUS SERVICE

DWIGHT LEAR (1926-1932)

Dwight Lear was an avid fan and supporter of Willamette University and it intercollegiate athletic program for the past 70 years. He had been a member of Cardinal Round Table since 1956. He and his wife, Margaret, recently established a chair in American (Pacific Northwest) history at Willamette through a series of gifts. Dwight was awarded the Les Sparks medallion in 1995, in recognition of his loyalty and service to the University. Dwight was a life-long friend of Sparks, and for many years Dwight drove his family to Willamette football and men’s basketball games. His recent gifts include funding for Willamette’s new softball facility.

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