Burbank HOF class set

BURBANK HIGH — After months of hard work, countless hours of research and probably some spirited debate, the list has finally been completed.

The list of the first-ever class for the Burbank High Athletic Hall of Fame was announced Thursday.

And what a list it is.

The first group of 10 inductees includes athletes who have played in the major leagues, set national records, won NCAA championships and captured Olympic gold.

The Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be part of the Burbank High centennial taking place in September. Under the theme of “Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Present, Impacting the Future,” the centennial committee will oversee more than 30 events and projects to bring together current and former students.

The Hall of Fame group will be honored at a special evening ceremony on Sept. 12 in the Burbank gymnasium. In addition to the ceremony, inductees will be commemorated in a display case located in the foyer of the main gym.

The display case will also pay tribute to coaches, administrators and others who have contributed to the success of the athletic programs at Burbank for the past 100 years. Additional honorees are set to be inducted every two years.

This year’s inductees include:

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FRANK SULLIVAN

Sullivan, class of 1948, earned All-CIF Southern Section accolades in baseball and basketball.

He went on to play for the Boston Red Sox and was a two-time All-Star. This year he will be inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame.

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PAUL CAMERON

Cameron, class of 1950, was an All-American back in football for the Bulldogs.

He went on to a record-breaking career at UCLA, finishing third in the Heisman Trophy voting in 1953. His number was retired by the Bruins.

He also played in the NFL for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1954 and starred on the Canadian Football League.

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CATHY FERGUSON

Ferguson, class of 1966, won two gold metals and broke two world records in swimming at the 1964 Tokyo Summer Olympics.

In her swimming career, she broke five world records, 10 American records and had 13 national titles. In 1978, she was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame.

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1967 BOYS’ SWIM TEAM

The team of John Ferguson, Ken Powers, Tim Thomas, and Pat Fligg captured a CIF Southern Section championship in 1967.

All four members were All-Americans and they all had top-20 national times in their events that year. One of the team’s relay teams also set a CIF record.

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JOHN MUSICH

Musich, class of 1974, won a title in the boys’ 880-yard race at the 1974 CIF-California Track and Field Championships.

In addition to winning a Foothill League title in cross-country, he still holds school records in the 880 and the mile.

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JEFF NELSON

Nelson, class of 1979, set a record for high school runners in the two-mile race that lasted nearly 30 years.

In addition, he won a 3A championship in cross-country in 1978 and captured back-to-back state two-mile titles in 1978 and 1979.

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GREG COAUETTE

Coauette, class of 1982, was the CIF Southern Section 3A champion in the pole vault in 1981 and the 3A long jump champion in 1982.

Also a standout football player, he went on to play at USC and was drafted in the NFL by the L.A. Rams. He played in the World Football League.

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TODD WATKINS

Watkins, class of 1984, was a three-time CIF Southern Section 3A diving champion and was the first diver in the 73-year history of the CIF to win three straight titles — doing so in 1982, ‘83, ’84.

He went on to become a two-time Pacific 10 Conference diving champion at UCLA.

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DEBBY DAY

Day, class of 1987, was a three-time all-CIF Southern Section pick in softball as a pitcher for the Bulldogs.% She is still ranked among the top 10 in CIF in most consecutive perfect games and with four perfect games in a season.

She went on to success at the University of Arizona, leading the Wildcats to an NCAA championship in 1991.

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FREDDY SANCHEZ

Sanchez, class of 1996, was a three-time All-Foothill League selection in baseball. He earned All-CIF Southern Section and league player% of the year honors his %senior season with the Bulldogs.

Currently a second baseman for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Sanchez is a two-time All-Star who won the 2006 National League batting championship.

Although this year’s group of inductees is already set, the public can nominate deserving individuals for the next group by logging on www.burbankhigh100.com.

A complete list of events and project details can be found at the school’s 100th anniversary website, www.burbankhigh100.com.