Alameda High School (AHS) will celebrate its first AHS Athletic Hall of Fame class with a ceremony at the Alameda Elks Lodge on June 10. The Athletic Hall of Fame will recall the accomplishments of athletes from the school’s 143 year history. 

The school will induct 10 athletes into its first Hall of Fame. The athletes chosen had storied athletic careers in high school, college and/or professionally. 

Dick Bartell spent 18 years in the major leagues. He was chosen as the National League shortstop in the very first All Star game in 1933. 

Bob Blomberg, class of 1963, was a top amateur golfer who won the Alameda Commuters Championship a record six times.

Patricia Canning Todd, class of 1940, was a top-ranked tennis player in the post-World War II era. She won four grand slam championships in 1947-48 (one singles, two doubles, and one mixed doubles).  

Eric Cross, class of 1968, scored 25 touchdowns for the state number one ranked AHS football team in 1968. He played in the NorCal all-star Shrine Game and scored 4 touchdowns. He then played in two Rose Bowls for Stanford. He set the record for most receptions in a game.

Willie Davis, class of 1954, led the AHS basketball team to a win in the Tournament of Champions in 1953. He was selected as the 1954 Cal-Hi Sports Player of the Year. He was also a track athlete and ran the first leg on the state champion 880-yard relay team in 1954.

Christine Fairless, class of 1985, is AHS’ all-time women’s basketball scoring leader, with an average of 27 points per game as a senior. She was named Northern California player of the year. 

James Jackson, class of 1954, tied the national high school record in the 100-yard dash held by Jesse Owens in 1954 with a time of 9.4 seconds. 

He won the California state championship in the 100, 220, and anchored the winning 880 yard relay; leading the AHS track team to the 1954 state championship.

Steve Markey, class of 1979, was the North Coast Section (NCS) and California state wrestling champion at 138 lbs in 1979 for AHS. In 1984 he won the NCAA Division II national championship at 134 lbs for Cal State Bakersfield.

Whitney Reed, class of 1949, won the NCS tennis doubles championship three times (1947, 48, 49). He won the California state tennis championship four times. He also won the NCAA singles championship in 1959.

Bill Weeden, class of 1937, won NCS 100-yard back stroke championship in 1937. 

The athletes were selected by an eight-member panel that includes Ken Arnerich, current AHS baseball coach, and Mike Janvier, a former AHS prinicipal. 

Other committee members include Philly Jones, Don Sherratt, Rick Warnick, John Zugnoni and current AHS athletic director Brad Thomas.

“This Hall of Fame is long overdue,” said Thomas. “It had been in my mind for some time now.”

The event will be held at Alameda Elks Lodge, 2255 Santa Clara Avenue. Tickets of $50 in advance and $70 at the door; $30 for children 10 and under. 

Buy advance tickets at Eventbrite.com. For more information, visit http://hornetfootball.org/boosters.htm.