Santa Cruz High School
Athletics Hall of Fame
1960s & 1970s
1961 - Al McCommon
Al McCommon capped a memorable Santa Cruz High School athletic career in 1961 when he was named to the All-CCAL teams in both basketball and baseball. A potent play-making guard, he was the Cards’ captain and co-MVP. Also the MVP of the varsity baseball team, Al completed a remarkable season both on the mound and at bat. He compiled a 4-0 league record, finishing with a 1.90 ERA. Playing outfield while not pitching, he batted .447. After graduation, he went on to play basketball and baseball at Cabrillo College.
1961 - Bruce McPherson
Bruce McPherson was an All-CCAL running back who led the league in scoring and receiving as a senior. He also started at second base as a junior and senior on the Cardinal baseball team. After high school, Bruce attended the University of Oregon and would eventually play football at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. After a reporting and editing career at the Santa Cruz Sentinel, he was elected to California State Assembly, then the State Senate, and was ultimately appointed Secretary of State of California. After leaving Sacramento, he was elected to the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors.
1962 - Dave Netto
Dave Netto was an imposing three-sport athlete at Santa Cruz High School who won acclaim on the football field and pitcher’s mound. The 230-pound tackle made the All-CCAL varsity football team as a senior and was named to the All-Northern California second team. He was a pitching stalwart on the varsity baseball team for two years, unanimously making All-League in 1963 when the Cards were the CCAL and Northern California champions. In league play, he was 7-1, pitching 67 1/3 innings with 54 strikeouts and a 0.52 ERA. For the season, he pitched a remarkable 100 2/3 innings, yielding 62 hits, 12 earned runs (0.83) and 26 bases on balls. He struck out 90 batters. After graduation, Dave went on to Stanford on a football scholarship.
1962 - Steve Smith
Steve Smith was the finest Santa Cruz High School athlete of his time. In basketball, he was All-CCAL for three years, and as a junior was eighth in scoring in Northern California. In his senior year, Steve was the CCAL’s MVP and was selected to the Central Coast All-Star team, All-North Coast All-Star team, and to the All-Northern California third team. A slick-fielding, hard-hitting shortstop on the Cards’ varsity baseball team, he was a two-time All-CCAL selection and made the All-Central Coast team as a junior. After graduation, Steve went to Cal as a pre-med major and was the Bears’ starting forward for three years. He also played shortstop and was Cal’s leading hitter (.357) as a junior.
1962 - Bruce Buckner
Bruce Buckner was an outstanding member of the football and track teams while attending Santa Cruz High School from his freshman to junior years. After starting at quarterback on the JV team as a freshman, he became a starting varsity defensive back as a sophomore. The next year, he earned All-CCAL and team MVP honors as a running back. As a sophomore and junior, he was a CCAL track champion in the sprints. Like many SCHS students, Bruce was told to transfer to the new Soquel High School in fall 1962. There, he was All-CCAL at quarterback. After graduation, Bruce went to the University of Utah on a football scholarship where he set the freshman passing record. Upon completion of his college career, he returned to Santa Cruz and became the first physical-education director at the (then) new Santa Cruz Boys Club.
1962 - John Pierce
John Pierce was an excellent Santa Cruz High School athlete who transferred to newly established Soquel High after a notable career as a Cardinal. As a sophomore pitcher in 1961, he was selected to the All-CCAL team, compiling a 7-0 record in league play. John also was named to the all-Central Coast All-Star team. He again earned All-CCAL honors as a junior, with a record of 7-2 and a 1.36 ERA. Then as a senior at Soquel, John was All- League for a third time. After graduation, he was drafted by St. Louis Cardinals but moved to home state of Oklahoma and played junior college baseball there.
1965 - Larry Griffin
Larry Griffin, one of the highest scorers in SCHS basketball history, dominated MBL opponents as a junior and senior; he was selected All-League both years. In track, he was a triple threat in long jump, high jump, and hurdles, winning the league and NCS titles as a junior and league championships as a senior. He set the SCHS long jump record at 21’11.5”. Larry went on to play basketball at Cabrillo, where he was All-Conference for two years; he also played end on Cabrillo’s football team. Later at Oregon Tech, he set two Oregon Collegiate Conference records in rebounds per game and field-goal percentage. Larry signed a contract with the NFL Dallas Cowboys and attended rookie camp. He finished his athletic career with the Fabulous Magicians, a comedic-style professional basketball team.
1966 - Glenn Griffin
From 1964 to 1966, Glenn Griffin was a three-time All-Monterey Bay League selection in basketball; making the second team as a sophomore and first team as a junior and senior. Glenn was the league’s co-MVP as a senior and led the league in scoring with 281 points and a 20.1 average. He would finish the season with 375 points (19.7 average). Glenn also pitched on the Cardinal varsity baseball team where he went 2-0 with a 1.47 ERA as a senior. After high school, he would sign a baseball contract with the Reno Silver Sox of the California League in 1968.
1967 - Byron Wilson
Byron Wilson was a talented three-sport athlete at SCHS. A transfer from Cleveland, he wasted no time becoming an important player on the football and basketball team. His most impressive accomplishments came of the track. In 1966 he placed 2nd in the 100 yard sash and 4th in the 220 qualifying for the state meet in both events. In his senior year Byron won the 100 and 220 yard dashes at the MBL league meet as well as at the CCS division III meet. He won the 220 at the CCS region meet and competed at the state meet at Balboa Stadium in San Diego. He was awarded Outstanding Athlete, Outstanding Track Man, most valuable track man and the Dads Club most inspirational award for track. After graduation, Byron attended San Jose State University on a full track scholarship and was inducted into the SJSU Hall of Fame with the 1968 World Class “Speed City Track Team “.
1968 - Tom Crichton
Tom Crichton was one of the most naturally talented hitters to every play at Santa Cruz High School. In 1967 and 1968, he was selected All-MBL, and All-County as a junior. During his junior year, Tom batted .458 in league and .424 for the season; as a senior, he batted .463 in league and .444 for the season. After graduation, Tom signed with the Kansas City Royals and played several years in their farm system, including two stints with the San Jose Bees. He also played on the Santa Cruz Padres semi-pro team.
1982 - Kip Herren
Kip Herren was a dominating figure in Santa Cruz High School wrestling from 1966 to 1968. He was MBL champion as a junior and senior, third in Central Coast Section and NCI at 106 as a junior, and third at CCS and NCI as a senior. Kip had an incredible 103 wins as a Cardinal on the mat. He went to Cabrillo where he was team MVP before transferring to San Francisco State. Later, he coached wrestling at Auburn, WA, High School, where his teams were 139-28-1 in dual meets from 1978-1990. During his tenure, Kip coached eight state champions. He was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2017. Dr. Kip Herren is presently Auburn School District superintendent.
1969 - Scott Graff
Scott Graff was one of the most acclaimed football players in the history of Santa Cruz High School. He was All-MBL and All-County as a junior and senior; when he also was named the league’s most valuable lineman. Scott garnered All-Central Coast selection and All-Northern California honors, receiving team awards for most tackles (102), most valuable senior, and co-most valuable player. The 210-pound middle guard set SCHS’ single-game record with 17 tackles, recovered two fumbles (one of which he ran for 30 yards), and a touchdown. His SCHS No. 33 was retired following his senior year. After graduation, Scott was offered a full scholarship to Boise State but opted to play at Cabrillo College. He joined the Navy the following year.
1969 - Al Marshall
Al Marshall was a 1968 All-MBL football honorable mention, but it was in track where he truly stood out at Santa Cruz High School. As a junior, he finished third in CCS 220-yard dash, qualified for the state meet, and was his team’s MVP. As a senior in ’69, he was team MVP again and won the CCS finals in three events; the 100- and 200-yard dashes and was a member of winning 440-relay team. He competed in same three events at state trials, clocked at 10.0 in 100 and 22.0 in 220 at that meet. Al went to Boise State on a football scholarship and played three years. He was named to the Big Sky Conference first team, American Football Coaches Association All-American first team, Kodak All-American first team, and a United Press International and Universal Sport All-American. As a senior, he caught 59 passes for 1,003 yards and eight touchdowns. Al was then drafted in 10th round by Denver Broncos. He would go on to teach and counsel incarcerated young men at Soledad State Prison.
1969 - Tom Foster
Tom Foster was one of the most dominating basketball players of his time from 1967 through 1969 at Santa Cruz High School. At 6'5", he played center and forward and possessed exceptional shooting, rebounding, and floor skills. Tom was a three-time All-MBL and All-County selection, as well as All-CCS as a junior and senior. His last two years, he averaged 14.3 and 12.7 points per game for two well-balanced championship teams. To cap off his high school career, Tom was an All-Northern California center at the East-West All-Star game at San Jose Civic.
1969 - Kristian P Sorensen
Kris Sorensen was a towering athlete who excelled in basketball and baseball during his junior and senior years at Santa Cruz High School. In basketball, he was All-MBL and All-County as a junior and senior and All-CCS as a junior. At 6'6", Kris averaged 13.8 points a game as a senior. On varsity baseball, he was All-MBL and All-County as a junior and senior, additionally being named All-MBL and All-County MVP those years. As a senior, he went 8-0 with a 0.49 ERA. Kris was selected for the North-South All-Star game played at Candlestick Park. He would go on to play basketball and baseball at San Jose State.
1970 - Dee Herren
Dee Herren was an outstanding athlete in football and baseball at Santa Cruz High School. In his senior year, Dee was All-County in football as a running back; displaying speed and explosiveness on virtually every play. As a centerfielder for the Cardinals, his speed allowed him extraordinary defensive coverage and earned him All-MBL and All-County in baseball. Dee was drafted by the Minnesota Twins but chose to go to Cabrillo College, where he also excelled; eventually going on to play baseball at BYU. Dee volunteered untold hours coaching youth football and baseball locally and then became a P.E. teacher and coach in Washington state. His son played three sports in high school and was drafted in the first round by the Texas Rangers.
1972 - Preston Dyson
Preston Dyson is among the most dominant Cardinal pitchers in history. A strapping right-hander, he was selected All-MBL and All-County for three consecutive years. As a sophomore, he went 10-0 in league play, finishing with a 1.00 ERA. He finished that season with a 15-0 record. Preston would continue this domination of MBL opponents into his junior and senior years. In 1972, he had a season record of 10-2 with a 1.14 ERA. Among his wins was a no-hitter against Seaside. He also was a starting tackle on the Cards’ varsity football team. After leaving SCHS, Preston went on to pitch for Cabrillo College and the Santa Cruz Padres semi-pro team.
1973 - George Barbic
George Barbic was a towering individual who excelled in football, basketball, and baseball at Santa Cruz High School. He was selected All-MBL in all three sports in 1973. Blessed with both size and maturity, he went on to an excellent college career. George entered Cabrillo College and was an All-Coast Conference tackle for two years, selected unanimously as a sophomore. While there, he was defensive captain and signal caller, leading the Seahawks in tackles that year. After leaving Cabrillo, George received a full football scholarship to the University of California-Berkeley, however for his senior year, he transferred to Utah State and played football there.
1977 - Sue Dodge
Sue Dodge was an outstanding basketball and softball player throughout her four-year SCHS career, leading the Cards to several championships in both sports. Sue was critical to the Cards’ four championship basketball titles and three championship softball seasons. She earned All-MBL honors in both sports. Sue also had an outstanding post-high school career. She led Cabrillo College to two consecutive conference championships, plus the Nor-Cal Junior College championship. She received a full scholarship to San Diego State University, where she played point guard; this at a time when San Diego State was in the same conference as UCLA, USC, Arizona State, and Arizona. In her senior year, she also played softball and was a starter at shortstop and center field. Sue passed away in 2016 at age 56.
1977 - Evonne Sandas
Evonne Sandas competed for all four years in basketball and softball as well as tennis as a senior at Santa Cruz High School. She was the league’s basketball MVP in 1977 when Santa Cruz won the league championship and played in the first girls' CCS Region IV tournament; beating Notre Dame of Salinas in the championship game. As a result, the Cards qualified for the first CCS tournament and finished third. Evonne was named to the All-CCS tournament team. She received a four-year scholarship to Texas-Arlington which was starting a women’s basketball team.
1978 - Andre Wilkes
Andre Wilkes was an excellent Cardinal sprinter who burned up the track during his four years at Santa Cruz High School. As a sophomore, he ran the 100-yard dash in 11.04 in the CCS frosh-soph division. That season, he won the Cards’ Track Athlete of the Year award for scoring the most points for the team. As a junior at CCS, Andre placed second in the 100 and was fourth in the 200, missing the state meet by one place. In his senior year, he was third in the CCS 220-yard and qualified for the state meet. At the elite King City invitational, he ran his best times: 10.1 in the 100, 22.5 in the 220, and was on the 44.9 relay team.
1978 - Greg Ronnin
Greg Ronning was an outstanding wrestler for Santa Cruz High School in the 1970's. He was the SCCAL champion at 145lbs as a junior and at 157lbs as a senior, finishing second in the CCS and compiling a 23-4 record that year. Greg also was the starting varsity football quarterback as a junior and senior. After high school, Greg went on to Cal Lutheran University and wrestled for two years before the program was dropped. As a senior, he was the Southern California NAIA champion. Greg went to the nationals in West Virginia and Kansas but did not place. He became an ordained minister and served more than 20 years as campus pastor at Texas Lutheran University before joining a Southern California ministry in 2013. Greg presently is the pastor at The Table/First Lutheran in Fullerton, California.
1979 - Terri Schneider
Considered one of Santa Cruz High School's most outstanding female athletes of
the 1970's, Terri Schneider dominated cross county and track during her
four-year Cardinal career. She set school records in the cross country mile and
two-mile events. In the CCS Regional meeting in 1978, she won the mile in 5:26.0
and the two-mile in 11:49.0 and was fifth in the 880-yard run at 2:28.7. As a
senior, she placed in the CCS finals and finished 14th in the Nor-Cal
cross-country meet.
After high school, Terri went on to compete in college and would later become an
accomplished endurance athlete, motivational speaker, author, coach, and
consultant. In 1990, she won the Escape from Alcatraz and took third place at
the 1990 Ironman World Championship.
1979 - John Rembao
John Rembao excelled in cross country and track during his junior and senior years at Santa Cruz High School. He took league honors both years in cross country and competed in the CCS Region IV meet where he qualified for the state meet, becoming the first Santa Cruz High School athlete in 10 years to accomplish that goal. During his 1979 senior year, John set a school record at the UCSC 2.08-mile course with an 11:06.7 time. In track, he set a school record in the mile with a 4:25.4 clocking.
1979 - Tammy Bogard
Tammy Bogard was an exceptional athlete at SCHS excelling in both basketball and softball. In basketball, she was selected to the Cardlette Invitational all-tournament team in 1978 and to the all-league basketball teams in 1978 and 1979. She was also the SCCAL league MVP in basketball in 1979 with a 17 points per game average and a standout on the North/South All-Star game. In softball, Tammy was all-league in 1977 (.429 batting average), 1978 (.335 batting average) and in 1979 (.469 batting average). Tammy went on to play basketball at Northwestern College in Iowa.
1979 - Mike Gregoric
Mike Gregoric was the SCCAL’s wrestling champion at 133 pounds as a sophomore, junior, and senior at Santa Cruz High. As a junior, he finished second in the CCS and qualified for the state meet. In addition to winning the league tournament as a senior, he would take home top honors at the Aptos and Andrew Hill tournaments and was named tourney MVP for the latter. Mike was named his team’s MVP and also won awards for most takedowns and pins during his Cardinals career.