This past week Linn-Benton Community College announced the induction of the 1971 Men's Baseball team into the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges Hall of Fame. The NWAACC will also recognize LBCC staff member Teresa Thomas and former staff member Edwin Watson by awarding them the Outstanding Service Awards for their contributions to the Linn-Benton athletic department.
The year of 1971 marked the first year that the Roadrunners had a baseball team compete inter-collegiately. The team was led by former staff member Dick McClain and consisted of just 17 players. LB went on to rack up more than 30 wins on their way to claiming the Southern Division Oregon Community Athletic Association League Championship title. They join the 1980-81 Women's Basketball team as the only LBCC teams to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Current baseball coach Greg Hawk said of the teams induction, "We have a very rich baseball tradition here at Linn-Benton. Dick (McClain) started the Athletic programs here at LBCC and he coached the baseball team from 1971-76. I'm very proud of the history of our school and for what has played out during my years here at LBCC. We also have two NWAACC Championship teams ('88 & '91) that I have coaches that I hoped someone would nominate in the future. Dick McClain is an outstanding gentle man and a awesome coach."
Thomas was hired at Linn-Benton in 1980 by, ironically, McClain and has played a major role in athletics at LBCC for the past 30 years. She has served as LB's Women's Athletic Commissioner, participated in fundraising activities and done a stand-up job promoting Roadrunner's athletics throughout the community. During the time that the NWAACC was housed on campus at Linn-Benton Thomas served as it's secretary as well.
Watson retired in 2006 after educating for more than 36 years, including working as the LBCC vice president of Academic Affairs. Watson has been involved with Linn-Benton since 1993. He has served as the dean of the Liberal Arts and Human Performance Athletics Division. He also directed and led the Roadrunner Athletic program for more than 13 years.
The 24th Annual Hall of Fame Banquet will be held June 2 in Vancouver, Washington. The event will honor the Hall of Fame inductees, as well as the recipients of Outstanding Service Awards.
At a Glance
What: Hall of Fame Inductee
Who: 1971 LBCC Baseball team
When: June 2nd
Where: 24th Annual Hall of Fame Banquet in Vancouver, Wash.
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