2009 INDUCTEES

Andy Darby -  Coach (1953 -1980)
In 1953, Andy Darby began teaching Math and Physical Education, and coaching at Wasco High.  Andy began coaching lower level basketball and football teams.  But it was in track and field and cross-country that Darby became an innovator and leader of coaches throughout the state.  Andy, along with George Kroeber, organized the Wasco 20/30 Club Relays in 1954.  Soon, this meet attracted over 700 athletes.  In 1954, Darby organized Cross-country competitions for Kern County schools, and he also started the Wasco Invitational Cross-Country Meet.  Darby’s coaching record in track is one that will be hard to eclipse.  In dual meets on the varsity level, Andy finished with 201 wins and only 41 losses.  At one point, his teams won 75 consecutive dual meets.  Thirty-one of Andy’s athletes throughout the years participated in the California State Track Meet, and he also coached two national record holders, high jumper Otis Haley and 3000 meter steeplechase runner Gilbert Perez.  Andy served as an official at prestigious meets throughout California.  Darby was selected as the Central Section Coach of the Year in 1976, and in 1981 awarded for his contributions as San Joaquin Coach of the Year. 

Chuck Emerson – Athlete (Class of 1955)
Chuck Emerson, known affectionately as “Moose”, was a starter on three football league championship teams, as well as three Valley Championship games.  The 1952 team went undefeated to capture the Valley title, the 1953 squad were Co-Champions, and the 1954 Tiger team was never scored on in league play on their way to a second place valley finish, losing 13-7.  On the basketball squad, Emerson played an important role on two league championship teams in 1954 and 1955, and he also played in two Valley Championship games.  Awards included being selected Captain in 1955, Leading County Rebounder in 1954 and 1955, and 2nd leading scorer in 1954 and 1955.  Chuck continued his football career at Bakersfield College, where the Renegades won the 1956 championship.  He also played football for the University of Idaho.

Clarence (C.O) Crawford  - Contributor
Clarence Crawford, known to most as just “C.O.”, was a long-time supporter and sponsor of Wasco Athletics for almost fifty years.  C.O. not only attended all types of Wasco High sporting events, but he personally sponsored baseball, softball, and basketball city or county league teams.  His favorite groups of athletes were the “Termites”, a club softball team he sponsored in the 1940’s.  Another County league team C.O. sponsored was the Wasco “Dons”, a team made up of Wasco, Shafter, and Bakersfield high school players. 

Dale Knox – Contributor (Class of 1952)
Dale Knox, a 1952 graduate of Wasco High, spent a lifetime involved in Wasco High track and field. His induction into the Athletic Hall of Fame is a reflection of both his personal athletic accomplishments and his lifetime dedication to the school and sport. During Dale’s senior year, he set the school record of 50.1 in the 440 yard dash, a record that still stands 56 years later. His tireless dedication continued as an adult helping as a starter for track and cross country meets, and coaching young track athletes. He also served an an unofficial ambassador of Wasco athletics as he travelled the state, the nation and the world promoting his home town and the sport he loved.

Dan Forth – Athlete (Class of 1955)
Don Forth, a 1955 Wasco High graduate, was a three sport varsity letterman in football, basketball, and track.  Don started on Wasco High’s 1954 Valley Championship and 1955 League Championship football teams, as well as a Tiger Valley Championship Basketball squad.  On the track, Don was an all around competitor, especially excelling in the grueling decathlon, winning the event in 1954 and 1955 and setting the Wasco High school record.  Don continued his education at Fresno State, and his winning ways in track as well.  As a member of the mile relay team, he won league titles and prestigious West Coast Relay titles in both 1956 and 1957, and an individual 440 yard dash title in 1957.  During Don’s enlistment in the United States Coast Guard, he was a member of the 12th Navy District basketball team.  After the service, Don continued to compete in decathlon events and continued his winning ways as the Santa Maria Champion in 1969 and Salem Oregon Champion in 1970.

Frank Thiessen – Coach (1964 - 2002)
Frank Thiessen grew up in Wasco attending local schools and graduated from Wasco High in 1956. He was one of the top tennis players in high school throughout the southern valley. On the Fresno State tennis squad, he was selected Most Valuable Player during his sophomore year. Frank began coaching in Wasco in 1964. He taught biology, math, was an academic counselor, and coached football, basketball and tennis for over thirty years. In his almost 40 years of coaching tennis at Wasco High, his record was 588 wins and only 130 losses. His teams won 28 South Sequoia League titles and 12 Central Section Championships. Frank retired from Wasco High in 2002 and then began teaching and coaching at Bakersfield Christian High School, where he has continued his winning tradition. His overall record to date is 734 wins and only 137 losses, making Thiessen the winningest tennis coach in California’s history.

George Terry – Coach (1947 - 1979)
George Terry came to Wasco High in June, 1947. His distinguished career at Wasco High lasted thirty-five years. He continued his education while working at Wasco High and received a Masters Degree in Administration from Stanford University in 1951. George taught Boys’ PE, Orientation, and Social Studies. In 1962, Terry moved into Administration serving as Coordinator of Student Affairs, Vice-Principal from 1968 to 1979. He became Principal of Westside School, which was established for Independent Study, in 1980 – 1981. As well as being an outstanding high school and college athlete himself, Terry coached track, basketball, was the Tigers football coach from 1947 through 1961. Terry also coached four league baseball championship teams during his 18 year tenure as the Tigers Varsity Baseball coach.

Gerald Penner - Athlete (Class of 1953)
Gerald Penner, a 1953 magna cum laude graduate of Wasco High, was a three year varsity letterman on both the football and baseball teams. On the football squad, Penner played tackle on both offense and defense, and it was his extra point kick that proved the winning margin in the Tigers 1953 Valley Championship team that defeated Shafter 14-13. After his senior year, he was selected to play in the prestigious East West Shrine game. He was selected Captain of the football team his senior year, and was one of forty eight High School All Americans. Penner received a scholarship to UCLA for football and went on to become a tree year letterman. In the 1956 season, he played in the Rose Bowl during the Bruins undefeated season.

Harvel Pollard – Athlete (Class of 1950)
Harvel Pollard attended Wasco High School from 1946-1950, playing varsity football, basketball, baseball, and track. In football, he was selected team MVP in 1948, Captain in 1949, All League in 1948 and 1949, All San Joaquin League in 1948 and 1949, All Valley Southern Section in 1948 and 1949, All Kern County Team in 1949. Harvel continued his football career at Bakersfield College and was a member of the 1952 Air Force championship team. In 1956 and 1957, Harvel played football at San Jose State, leading the team in rushing. Harvel began coaching at San Jose State and moved to Bakersfield where he coached for over 30 years, most of them at Bakersfield College. Harvel coached on two Junior Rose Bowl Team National Championships. Two highlights to cap off Harvel’s playing and coaching career were his induction in 1999 as a charter member of Bakersfield College’s Hall of Fame, and then in 2001 selected to the Bob Elias Hall of Fame.

Holloway Gypsum  - Contributor
It was during the Depression of the early 1930’s that Harvey “Dad” Holloway discovered the mineral that was to change his destiny and the destiny of the Valley’s agricultural lands. The substance was calcium sulfate, or gypsum, a mineral known to neutralize alkali in soil, improve water penetration, and increase crop yields. The Holloway Gypsum business grew with the assistance of son Albert and daughter Marian. In the 1950’s Marian’s husband Claude Knox also joined the family enterprise. These pioneers became involved in the Wasco community, supporting many recreational and high school programs. In recent years, Vard Terry has continued the Holloway way in supporting Wasco High athletics, and states that he couldn’t begin to count the thousands of dollars the company has donated to help our teams and athletes. The Holloway Gypsum company continues to thrive today, as well as continuing to support the local community and Wasco High athletics.

Jack Burtner – Coach (1949 -1984)
Jack Burtner created an outstanding legacy during his tenure at Wasco High. He was a teacher, coach, Athletic Director. When Burtner began at Wasco High in 1949, he coached football, basketball, and baseball. Later, he devoted his coaching to baseball. An excellent baseball player himself, Jack played and coached the highly competitive and successful Wasco Merchants Baseball team during the early 1950’s. He worked with all of the local baseball programs for over twenty years and helped to organize the “Hot Stove” dinners that helped promote the youth baseball programs in Wasco. Because of his vast knowledge of baseball, the Cincinnati Reds employed Burtner as a scout. In 1980, former major league baseball player George Culver’s Foundation awarded Jack with the “Good Guy” award, which perfectly fit his fond nickname, “Happy Jack”. For all of his efforts, which were tireless for Wasco High athletes and the youth and community, Burtner was selected as the 1983 California State Athletic Director of the Year. In 1994, he was inducted into the Bob Elias Kern Country Hall of Fame.

Jim Boyett – Athlete (Class of 1956)
Jim Boyett, a 1956 graduate of Wasco High, was an all-around athlete for the Tigers, participating in football, basketball, and track. Jim was a standout halfback during his junior and senior years for Coach George Terry, competed on Coach Jack Burtner’s basketball squad, as well as showing his versatility for Coach Andy Darby on the track team, running the 100 yard dash, the 440 yard dash, running relays and long jumping. After graduating from Wasco High, Jim went on to Porterville College where he earned a Back-of-the-Year Award, a Most Valuable Player Award, was All-Conference, also selected to the 1958 Junior College All American squad. Boyett’s collegiate football career continued during 1959 and 1960 seasons at the University of California at Santa Barbara. Jim was a first team CCAA League selection. After his football playing career was over, a successful teaching and coaching career followed. A highlight of Jim’s coaching career was in 1977 when he was selected as Orange County’s Football Coach of the Year.

Jim Eskew – Athlete (Class of 1956)
Jim Eskew, a 1956 Wasco High graduate, participated in cross country, basketball, and track. He was a member of the Tigers first cross country team, and at that time, schools were restricted to races of under two miles, with most races of 1.2 to 1.9 miles. These races, often ran at halftime of football games and in parks with hills, saw Jim consistently ranked near the top by the Fresno Bee and Bakersfield Californian, and in 1955 he set the Wasco High 1.4 mile record with a time of 6:51. On the basketball court, Jim was a starting junior guard on the 1955 Valley Championship “B” team that defeated Clovis 50-43. During his senior year, the Tigers went on squad, Eskew ran on the record setting 4 mile relay team at the Fresno Relays, and was an outstanding 880 distance runner, low hurdler, and high jumper. His senior year, Jim was named MVP and he earned a track scholarship to Fresno State.

Jim Napier – Athlete (Class of 1956)
Jim Napier graduated from Wasco High in 1956 and played football and baseball for the Tigers. On the baseball team, Jim was the starting catcher for three years. His senior year he was selected All State Catcher, the Tigers took the league title. Napier played two years of college football at Bakersfield Junior College as quarterback. Jim signed a baseball contract with the Chicago White Sox, which led to a very successful career in baseball. He was a catcher in the White Sox organization for fifteen years earning All Star Team honors in 1958 in the Midwest League, as well as in 1959 in the Northern League. He played for the Triple A San Diego Padres and Triple A White Sox. Jim was named to the Sporting News All Star Double A in 1964. After his playing day, Jim became a very successful coach for Chicago White Sox, Cubs, and Indians, where he won several league titles and Manager of the Year honors.

John Stowe – Contributor
John Stowe, a 1950 graduate of Wasco High, was an outstanding baseball player for the Tigers as well as also participating in basketball.  After graduation John went on to make an everlasting mark in our community as a coach, umpire, and volunteer.  For eighteen years, John could be seen calling balls and strikes for the Wasco Little League and Babe Ruth programs.  When not on the baseball field, Stowe would be found in the gym refereeing Adult Basketball games.  During the early 1990’s John went back into coaching, assisting the Wasco High JV Girls’ Softball team, and recent coaching stints have found him at Thomas Jefferson, Palm Avenue, and most recently, John coached 5th and 6thgrade Boys’ basketball team at Palm Avenue Elementary School.   John Stowe has been a positive influence for Wasco’s young people for over 50 years. 

Jon Hallmark – Athlete (Class of 1950)
John Hallmark, a 1950 graduate of Wasco High, played varsity football, basketball, and track. An outstanding football lineman, John was selected to the All County Team in 1949, All Valley Southern Section in 1948 and 1949, All League in 1948 and 1949, and in 1948 was his Wasco High’s Most Valuable Player and Team Captain. Coach Ned Wolfarth said that John was, “Perhaps the best lineman in Tiger history, he was in on at least 85% of all tackles”. He also started on the Wasco High basketball team and was a high jumper on the track team. John went on to a successful career as a teacher, coach, and administrator.

Ned Permenter – Athlete (Class of 1955)
Ned Permenter graduated from Wasco High in 1955 and competed on the football, basketball, and baseball teams.  Ned was selected  Captain, Most Valuable Player, and Tiger of the Year on the 1954 football squad.  On the baseball squad, he earned another MVP award, as well as the highest batting average award.  After graduating, Ned played football and baseball at the University of Idaho, and then began his sophomore year at Bakersfield College, competing in football and baseball, winning Most Valuable Player and All Conference Baseball honors, as well as the Tyack Award for Outstanding Athlete at Bakersfield College.  His athletic playing career continued at the University of California at Santa Barbara where he again competed on the football and baseball teams.  On the football field, he led his team in scoring and rushing one year, was selected Most Inspirational, and was 1st team All Far Western Small College.  On the baseball team, he earned Most Valuable Player and All Conference honors.  Ned coached at Santa Barbara a few years, then went on to a very successful high school teaching and coaching career in Bakersfield.  He coached varsity baseball, frosh-soph baseball, assistant football, and then served thirty-seven years as the Foothill Trojan’s Varsity Football Head Coach.  During his tenure as the head coach, his teams won ten league championships.  Ned was also named Coach of the Year several times, and in 1996 he was inducted into the Bob Elias Hall of Fame, as well as selected as Wasco Alumnus of the Year in 2002.

Paul Wise – Coach (1929 – 1967)
Paul Wise started teaching and coaching at Wasco High on September 1, 1929, after his graduation from UCLA. He helped develop the very first football and basketball teams on the Tiger campus, as well as help design the old Wasco High gym and basketball court that was mostly torn down after the 1952 earthquake. In the 1930’s Wise did what would be the unthinkable today, as he coached every sport on the Wasco High campus. During World War II, Paul left Wasco High and served his country in the United States Navy. Upon his return to Wasco, Wise continued his teaching and coaching duties. In addition to his many years of service to Wasco High School, Paul also served the community; he worked with the Parks and Recreation, Little League, VFW, Wasco Rifle Club, Henrietta Weill Child Guidance Clinic and North Kern Golf Association.

Ray Buechler – Athlete (Class of 1950)
Ray Buechler, a 1950 graduate of Wasco High, competed in varsity track, basketball, and football.  He also was Wasco High’s Student Body President.  Track was where Ray excelled.  In his senior year, he was the Kern County 100 and 220 yard sprint champion, as well as the Valley 220 yard champion, which qualified him for the State Meet.  Ray continued running track at Bakersfield College, competing in the 100 and 220, placing 3rd in both at the conference championships.  He also ran on the mile relay team that won the Metropolitan Conference finals.  In 1995, Ray was inducted into the Bakersfield College Track and Field Hall of Fame.  Ray never ran track after the 1952 season, he graduated from UCLA and spent two years in the Navy.

Walt Napier – Athlete (Class of 1953)
Walt Napier graduated from Wasco High in 1953 and played varsity football, basketball, and baseball for the Tigers. Walt, a big offensive threat from the halfback position, scored thirteen touchdowns his senior year and was a member of the 1952 Tiger football team that won the Valley Championship. On the Tiger baseball team, he also excelled, leading the team in hitting with a .406 average. After high school, Walt went on to Bakersfield College and then Fresno State, where he again played football and baseball. Napier was then signed by the Boston Red Sox professional baseball team, where he played for five years in their minor league system. Walt taught and coached at Tulare High School for three years and then on to East Bakersfield High School. In 1967, Walt began officiating basketball, and continued for twenty years. Besides many great local games, Walt officiated two California Junior College championship games and four California High School State Finals for girls and boys.

Walt Napier, Sr. – Contributor
Walt Napier, Sr. came to Wasco from Arkansas in 1936, and while raising his family in Wasco, he loved taking the kids and watching the very successful Wasco Merchants baseball team play. In the late 1940’s, he and Bill Condit started a local junior baseball team called the Eagles, a team he coached throughout the 1950’s. Members of his team include his three sons, Walt Jr., Jim and Jerry, along with Leo and Lonzo Stowe, Theodeus Harrison, Dan Hammonds, Pat Mills and many others. Walt was an avid follower and supporter of Wasco High athletes, rarely missing any athletic events, especially baseball. Those that benefited from his work, fondly remember the strict code of discipline that he helped to instill in them.