Nov. 6, 2009
BERKELEY -
A pair of Olympians, a Pac-10 Swimmer of the Year and a National League Most Valuable Player were among the former student-athletes and coaches who were inducted into the Cal Athletic Hall of Fame Friday night during a ceremony at the Greek Othordox Church.
The new inductees will also be honored at halftime of Saturday's Cal football game vs. Oregon State at Memorial Stadium.
The Class of 2009 consists of swimmer Marylyn Chiang, the 1999 Pac-10 Swimmer of the Year; gymnast George Greenfield and tennis player Jim McManus, who both represented the United States in the Olympic Games; Jeff Kent, who developed into one Major League Baseball's greatest second baseman and was named the National League's MVP in 2000; the late Steve Heaston, who guided the Cal men's water polo team to three NCAA championships; and the 1960-61 men's varsity 8s that claimed back-to-back national rowing titles.
In addition, the first Hall of Fame Service Award was presented to Frank Brunk, a former football player who has been a long-time advocate for the Golden Bear golf programs.
With the addition of the six members, the Cal Athletic Hall of Fame now features 234 individuals and six rowing teams. The school's Hall of Fame was inaugurated in 1986, with this year's group representing the 24th class of inductees.
Marylyn Chiang, Women's Swimming
Chaing earned Pac-10 Swimmer of the Year honors for the Bears during her senior year in 1999 when she was also chosen for the Pac-10 All-Academic team. The 100-yard backstroke championship at the '99 conference meet, she capped her career with a U.S. Open record time of 52.36 in the 100 back at the NCAA championships to become the first Cal women's swimmer to win a national crown in 11 years. Her time still makes her the second-fastest woman ever in the event, trailing only former Cal star Natalie Coughlin. In addition, Chiang was NCAA runner-up in the 200 individual medley and third in the 100 butterfly. A three-time team MVP in 1996, '97 and '99, she held school records in the 100 freestyle, 100 back, 100 fly and 200 IM when she graduated.
George Greenfield, Men's Gymnastics
After transferring from Pasadena Community College in 1968, Greenfield earned NCAA and USGF All-America honors in each of his three years at Cal. The Bears did not lose a dual meet during his tenure, claiming Pac-8 championships each season. Those 1969-70-71 teams also placed among the nation's top four at each NCAA meet. Greenfield was first in the free exercise event and second in the all-around competition three years in a row at the 1969, 1970 and 1971 conference meet. He finished fourth in the all-around at both the NCAA and USGF Nationals as a junior in 1970, and he placed second in the all-around at the 1971 USGF Nationals his senior year. Greenfield earned the title of the leading male gymnast in the USA in '71, as he was the highest American finisher at the '71 USGF Nationals. Following his Cal career, he earned a spot on the six-member U.S. Olympic team that competed at the 1972 Games in Munich after placing third in the all-around at the Olympic Trials. In addition, he was selected to the 1970 U.S. World Championship team and the 1971 U.S. National team.
Steve Heaston, Men's Water Polo Coach
Head coach of the men's water polo team from 1989-98, Heaston amassed a record of 224-56 (.800) over his 10 seasons. He guided the Bears to three consecutive NCAA titles from 1990-92, and his 1992 squad finished the year with a perfect 31-0 record. During his tenure, Heaston coached 44 All-Americans, including five NCAA Players of the Year, and he was twice honored as NCAA Coach of the Year (1990 and '92). He was also named conference Coach of the Year on five occasions. On the national level, Heaston served as an assistant coach on the 1988 U.S. Olympic team that captured a silver medal in Seoul, and he guided the U.S. to a gold medal at the 1993 World University Games. The Heaston Trophy, named in his honor, is presented to the winner of the annual Big Splash match between Cal and Stanford. Heaston passed away after a long battle with brain cancer on July 15, 1999.
Jeff Kent, Baseball
A three-year starter for the Bears at shortstop from 1987-89, Kent set a school record with 25 doubles during the 1987 season, a mark that stood for 11 years. He was a key member of Cal's 1988 team that won the NCAA Central Regional and advanced to the College World Series. After college, he developed into one of the greatest second basemen in Major League history. A five-time All-Star, he was voted National League MVP with San Francisco in 2000 when he batted .334 with 33 home runs and 125 RBI. Overall, Kent played 19 years in the Major Leagues and is the all-time home run leaders among second basemen (377). The Jeff Kent Batting Cages are part of the Carl J. Heuit Training Center at Cal's Evans Diamond, and Kent helped raise several hundred thousand dollars for women's athletics scholarships through his Women Driven program while he played for the Giants.
Jim McManus, Men's Tennis
An All-American in both 1961 and '63, McManus helped Cal to the NCAA semifinals and a No. 3 national ranking in 1961, the same year he reached the NCAA doubles final with partner William Hoogs Jr. In 1968, Ranking among the Top 10 in the USTA in doubles four times from 1965-71, McManus represented the United States at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics. He reached the fourth round of singles at Wimbledon in 1972 and was the U.S. Hardcourt doubles champion in 1961 and '67, as well as the Hardcourt mixed double champion in 1961. Recipient of the 1971 William Johnston Award from the USTA for character, sportsmanship and contribution to the growth of the game, McManus was one of the founding members of the ATP in 1972.
1960-61 Varsity 8, Men's Crew
The 1960-61 crews won back-to-back titles at the Pacific Coast championships and the IRA national regatta under head coach Jim Lemmon, who was inducted in the Cal Hall of Fame in 1991. The 1960 crown was the first for the Bears in 11 years, and they were the first crews to win back-to-back titles since 1934-35, a feat that wasn't accomplished again until 1999-2000. A total of 12 oarsmen and two coxswains comprised the boats, with four rowers competing both years - Martin McNair, Robert Berry, Jack Matkin and Chris Barnes. Of the 14, 11 went on to earn advanced degrees, including four PhDs, two JDs and two MBAs. The members of the 1960 boat were: 1. Gary Yancey, 2. Bruce Hansen, 3. Robert Berry, 4. Martin McNair, 5. Jack Matkin, 6. Chris Barnes, 7. Elmore Chilton, 8. Don Martin, Cox: Arlen Lackey. Members of the 1961 boat were: 1. Jack Matkin, 2. Tim Lyman, 3. Robert Berry, 4. Rich Costello, 5. Steve Brandt, 6. Chris Barnes, 7. Kent Fleming, 8. Martin McNair, Cox: Charlie Orman.
Hall of Fame Service Award
Frank Brunk '50
Frank Brunk is the recipient of the first Hall of Fame Service Award, an honor that recognizes a former student-athlete, coach, administrator or friend of Cal Athletics who has made an outstanding long-term contribution to ideals of the Athletic Department. The award, which will not necessarily be given on a yearly basis, is presented to a deserving individual for demonstrating exemplary leadership and setting a standard for excellence in enhancing the Cal student-athlete experience.
A three-year letterman for the Golden Bears football team from 1947-49, Brunk once returned a kickoff 102 yards for a touchdown against USC that helped secure Cal's spot in the 1950 Rose Bowl, However, his biggest impact on Cal Athletics may be through his three decades of work as chair of the Cal Men's Golf Committee. In 1979, he led an effort to reestablish men's golf as a varsity sport at the University - a vision that came true in 1982 - and he was a key factor in creating the Women's Golf Committee 13 years ago. In addition, Brunk was instrumental in a fundraising effort to built a state-of the art practice facility for both programs that opened at Metropolitan Golf Links in Oakland in 2007.
2009 California Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees
Name Sport Years
Marylyn Chiang Women's Swimming 1996-99
George Greenfield Men's Gymnastics 1969-71
Steve Heaston Men's Water Polo Coach 1989-98
Jeff Kent Baseball 1987-89
Jim McManus Men's Tennis 1961, 63
Varsity 8 Men's Crew 1960-61
2009 Hall of Fame Service Award
Frank Brunk '50
