Former Bulldog gets hall honor

GLENDALE — Upon learning of his induction into the Glendale Community College Athletic Hall of Fame, Steve Messmer had a curious response.

“Did you run out of people to induct?” the former tennis standout asked.

The answer was, of course not, as Messmer’s accomplishments earned him — and a handful of others — a rightful spot among past Vaqueros legends.

Joining Messmer as part of the sixth annual induction ceremony at Glendale college on Saturday night were inductees Ron Wielochowski, Burbank High graduate Marji Morosi, who was inducted as Marji Gilles, Don Bennett, Ted Tiffany and the 1961 men’s swim team.

“This is a thrill being here,” Messmer said. “When [Sports Information Director] Alex [Leon] called I said, ‘You guys are just scraping the barrel here.’ ”

While Messmer might be modest about his accomplishments, his résumé speaks for itself.

As a member of the Vaqueros, Messmer won the Western State Conference singles title in 1967 before transferring to San Fernando Valley State University — now Cal State Northridge — where he helped the Matadors win a conference title and captured Division II singles and doubles crowns for the in 1969.

Messmer continued his play after college, as he qualified and competed at Wimbledon in 1973 and the U.S. Open in 1976.

A few years prior to Messmer’s arrival at the college, Bennett was doing remarkable things with the Vaqueros football program.

Considered one of the most successful coaches in the program’s history, Bennett led the Vaqueros from 1961-65. His teams won 36 games, losing only nine, won two conference titles and competed in three bowl games.

“He really built a program that was the best in the nation,” said former Glendale college player and coach Jim Sartoris of his mentor. “He deservingly receives this award.”

Bennett went on to teach and took an active role in community colleges from Glendale college to Delta College in Stockton for the past 48 years.

“Community colleges are truly the people’s colleges,” Bennett said. “They drive kids to excellence.”

No stranger to excellence, Gilles was the face of the Vaqueros track and field team in the early 90s.

Some call her the greatest all-around women’s athlete in the history of the Vaqueros track and field team, and with good reason.

Competing in as many as 10 events in a meet, Gilles never seemed to take a break. Her dedication carried her to a state championship in the triple jump in her final meet as a Vaquero in 1990.

“You are only as good as your coaches and I had some really good coaches,” Gilles said. “I would like to thank all of my coaches.

“This gave me an opportunity to think of all the people that helped me. It’s a huge honor.”

Wielochowski’s name was one linked with honors, as he competed for the basketball team in the 60s.

One of the most complete offensive players to ever suit up for the Vaqueros, Wielochowski holds the record for highest scoring averages in conference with 33.5, in a season with 30.5 and a career with 23.8 points per game.

Unable to attend the ceremony due to illness, Wielochowski also holds the team record for most points scored in a season with 855 and conference play with 467, which were set during the 1963-64 season.

Staying on the basketball court, Tiffany also left a lasting impression at Glendale college.

Between 1952-54, Tiffany was an all-conference selection and the team’s most valuable player. He took his skills to Occidental College, where he became an All-American and the Tigers all-time leading scorer.

“This college was probably a savior for me,” Tiffany said. “It was a great start for me. It put me on the road to get into college.”

While in college, the 1961 men’s swim team dominated the competition.