Nov. 11, 2009

This story first appeared in the football gameday magazine Kickoff, Nov. 7, 2009

A pair of Olympians, a Pac-10 Swimmer of the Year and a National League Most Valuable Player are among the former student-athletes and coaches who have been selected as the Class of 2009 for the Cal Athletic Hall of Fame. Clearly representing the diversity of the Golden Bears' 27-sport intercollegiate program, this year's group is the first not to include a football or men's basketball player. Formal induction ceremonies took place last night at the annual Hall of Fame banquet, and the new inductees will be honored at halftime of today's football game. 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 Chiang capped her Cal career in 1999 when she set a U.S. Open record in winning the 100-yard backstroke at the NCAA championships in a time of 52.36, becoming the first Golden Bear women's swimmer to capture a national crown in 11 years. Her time still makes her Cal's second-fastest woman in the event, trailing only Olympic champion Natalie Coughlin. In addition, Chiang, a three-time team MVP, won the 100 back at the '99 Pac-10 meet and was NCAA runner-up in the 200 individual medley.

George Greenfield, Men's Gymnastics Greenfield earned NCAA and USGF All-America honors in each of his three years at Cal from 1969-71. The Bears did not lose a dual meet during his tenure, claiming Pac-8 championships each season. Greenfield finished fourth in the all-around at both the NCAA and USGF Nationals as a junior, and he placed second in the all-around at the 1971 USGF Nationals. Following his Cal career, Greenfield 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.

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). The Heaston Trophy, named in his honor, is presented to the winner of the annual 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 on 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 and was voted to the All-Star team five times and was also named the National League MVP in 2000. 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. Ranking among the Top 10 in the USTA in doubles four times from 1965-71, as well as in the top 10 in singles on three occasions, McManus represented the United States at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics. 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 and 1961 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. Of the 14, 11 went on to earn advanced degrees, including four Ph.D.s, two JDs and two MBAs.

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 person who has made an outstanding long-term contribution to ideals of the Athletic Department. A three-year letterman for the Golden Bears football team from 1947-49, Brunk's biggest impact on Cal Athletics has been 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.