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San Clemente Journal

Sports Hall of Fame 2013

May 22, 2014 09:50AM ● By Don Kindred

Inductees from 2013

Edited by Anne Batty

Former Mayor’s Jim Evert’s year-long quest to formally honor the stars of San Clemente sports will come to fruition in May. The Friends of San Clemente Foundation will celebrate the nine athletes that will be inducted to the inaugural San Clemente Sports Hall of Fame at the annual “Friend-Raiser” hosted on Saturday, May 11 at the San Clemente Aquatics Center.
“We’re highlighting the extraordinary athletes that have touched our community through their talent and contribution to their various sports,” said Evert, who led the selection committee.
“We had an exceptionally difficult task of narrowing down the first individuals to be recognized on the wall! It was surprising to learn how many noteworthy athletes grew up in San Clemente or lived here when they earned their accolades.”
Following is a list of the accomplishments of the inductees as well as facsimilies of the tiles which will be installed on a designated wall inside the Aquatics Center.

BOB LUTZ – TENNIS
Top amateur/professional player 1960/1970
Best doubles team of all time with partner Stan Smith
1967-1977 among top 10 American players eight times
1968/1970 No. 5 doubles player
Nine singles titles/43 doubles titles
ITF Tennis Hall of Famer
San Clemente resident since 1973

RYAN SHECKLER – SKATEBOARDING
Youngest participant to win X Games Gold Medal - capturing three
First Place winner Gravity Games, Vans Triple Crown, Slam City Jam, Thrasher’s Bust or Bail and X Games
2005 National Street Champion, World Street Champion, Athlete of the Year
2006/2007 AST Dew Tour Title
2009 IFC Skateboarding World Champion
Four big screen movies, MTV reality series, and RS by Sheckler clothing line
2008 established Sheckler Foundation

KARCH KIRALY – VOLLEYBALL
UCLA All American four straight years
1984/1988 Six Man Indoor Volleyball Gold Medalist (Los Angeles/Seoul)
1993 UCLA Hall of Famer
1996 Beach Volleyball Gold Medalist (Atlanta)
2001 Inducted into the Volleyball Hall of Fame and awarded the FIVB
 (International Volleyball Federation) Best Volleyball Player of the Century
2008 Sports analyst for NBC Olympic Beach Volleyball coverage
2009 Academic All-American Hall of Fame
2012 Head Coach American Women’s 2016 Olympic Volleyball team
Receiver of San Clemente’s “Key to the City”
San Clemente resident since 1989
 
MITCH KAHN – WATERMAN
South Coast Conference Player of the Year and MVP
1981 All-American Water Polo Champion
1990 Surf Ski Race Champion – Lubeck, Germany
1991 Silver/Bronze Medal Winner US Pan American Games, Cuba
1992 Kayaking US Olympian Champion
Most wins US National Lifeguard Competition and US Representative Lifeguard Championships worldwide
Model for character in Baywatch TV series
San Clemente resident 48 years, Fire Captain and water polo coach

BILL KENNY – FOOTBALL
1973 San Clemente High School graduate
1978 drafted 12th round by Miami Dolphins - branded “Mr. Irrelevant.” (Award given to last selection of draft – he was second-to-last)
1980 Kansas City Chiefs backup to Steve Fuller – 1981 starter
1983 set records for yards (4,348) and completions (346) – only “Mr. Irrelevant” to 
  earn Pro Bowl berth
Threw over 300 yards in four games topping out at 417 yards
Left Chiefs as most prolific passer in team history behind Len Dawson
1989 signed with the Washington Redskins
2001 Majority Floor Leader of Missouri Senate

SUE ENQUIST – SOFTBALL
Holds 11 National Championships – most in history
UCLA Softball’s All-American, National Champion and Hall of Famer
UCLA head coach 27 years – 
  highest win percentage among Div. 1 coaches
Hailed a “coaching legend” by ESPN
Holds UCLA Athletes, National Fastpitch Coaches Association, 
  Women’s Sports Foundation and San Juan Unified High School District 
  Hall of Fame honors
National Coach of the Year and Pac10 Coach of the Year Awards
Author – 101 Offensive Drills for Softball and 25 instructional videos
Inventor of SB401 training bat, Kwik-Slide sliding wrap, and co-developer of  
  XproTex protective hitting glove
Grew up, attended school and presently lives in San Clemente

MARY MULLIGAN-CRAPO – BASKETBALL
1981 SCHS and Orange County Athlete of the Year
CIF Champion - Girl’s Basketball/Softball
SCHS Head Coach 25 years
13 consecutive South Coast League Basketball Championships, 
  five CIF Championships - career record 500-211
Three time CIF Southern Section Coach of the Year Awards
Named Female Coach with Most Wins in Orange County history
Earned 10 letters, 3 sports, SCHS
Resident San Clemente - Teacher/Coach SCHS

COLIN MCPHILLIPS – SURFING
Turned Pro at 18
Three time Longboard World Champion –
   1999 Australia; 2001 
   Jeffrey’s Bay, South Africa; 
   2002 Cabo San Lucas, Mexico 
1994/2007 Huntington Beach US Open Surfing Champion
Four time winner Toes on the Nose Rabbit Kekai Classic, Boca Barranca, 
  Costa Rica
Stunt double for Baywatch, Beverly Hills 90210, and movie Chasing Mavericks
2012 ISA World Games of SUP (stand-up paddling) Surfing 
   US Representative, Peru
Resides in San Clemente with wife and four children

GREG LONG – SURFING
Most decorated surfer Billabong XXL big wave surfing
Age 15 began big wave surfing career at Todos Santos, Baja, CA
2001 NSSA National Men’s Open Title – age 17
2003 Red Bull Big Wave contest Dungeon’s, Africa – age 19
2008 Maverick’s Surf Contest winner - 20 foot (6.1m) waves – split purse between
  self and five other finalists
2009 Quicksilver Big Wave Invitational winner – 40 foot (12m) waves, Waimea Bay, Oahu, taking down Kelly Slater
Only surfer to win Quicksilver Big Wave Invitational, Maverick’s Surf Contest and Red Bull Big Wave Africa events
Actor/advisor for film Chasing Mavericks
Featured star of documentary about psychology of surfing
Born and raised in San Clemente