BILL KINNETT
ATHLETE CLASS OF 1963

Bill Kinnett was always proud to be a North High Star. His father, Bill Sr., was a Geography and U.S. History teacher at North High before his untimely death at just 50 years old. Later, Bill’s Mom, Irene became head of the Audio Visual Department at North. Many lifetime family friends were formed during those years at North High School.

One of those family friends was Coach Winfred Bootman. Bill received a lot of his desire to succeed in wrestling because of the encouragement from his Dad and Coach Bootman. In 1963, Bill’s senior year, he received Outstanding Wrestler honors and placed first in the S.Y.L. Tournament. Bill was also the very first NHS wrestler to win the Valley Wrestling Championships. After high school, Bill attended Bakersfield College and continued to be an outstanding wrestler under Coach Bruce Pfutzenreuter.

Bill was a top rated wrestling official for nearly 50 years and also became the Wrestling Instructor and Assignor for the Kern County Officials Association. He mentored new and seasoned officials. As a Wrestling State Tournament Volunteer, he took the lead in assigning table workers, coordinating groom check and weigh-ins, and, anything else that needed his leadership and expertise. In 2017, Bill was inducted into the California Wrestling Hall of Fame receiving the Lifetime Service Award.

Bill was proud to be a member of the United States Marine Corps. He served as a California Highway Patrolman for 34 years and retired as the Lieutenant Commander of the Grapevine Inspection Facility. He was atraffic school instructor for many years and became the Executive Director at STEPS after retiring from the CHP.

Bill married Ann (Yeager) Kinnett in 1968, and, they have two children, Billy and Kristina. Bill passed away in December of 2016. He would have been extremely proud to know that he was inducted into the North High School Athletics Hall of Fame.

RANDY JONES
2018 INDUCTION CLASS

Randy was a star distance runner at North High. He was the SYL and Area champion in the 880-yard run in both his junior and senior seasons. He still holds the school record in the event (1:52.6) and it’s the 10th fastest time in CIF history. As a senior he finished 4th in the State meet, one of the few North High athletes to ever make to the state meet. Randy went to Bakersfield College and had a very successful two years there, finishing 3rd in the State JC meet as a freshman and setting a school record in the process. An injury kept him from continuing after BC, but Randy became a very successful coach at Centennial High, winning 10 League championships in girl’s cross country and 5 CIF titles to boot. His Centennial boy’s cross country team won 6 league championships and one CIF title. Randy also coached cross country and track in the Norris School District for many years.

I am sure anyone who read the newspaper or followed sports in Bakersfield during 1986-1989, girls’ sports would be highlighted and North High would be one of the prominent high schools in California producing female athletes for college. One ofthose who blazed a huge trail was our own, JoEllen Jeffrey. I wanted to wait for a little bit after learning of the 2018 Hall of Fame induction to compose some thoughts and reflections regarding JoEllen and the incredible impact she has had for thousands in one sport in particular – Volleyball. I feel the need to do this because the majority of these reflections differ from what the public will remember. When the public thinks of JoEllen, they think of an unheralded recruit who came from North High as an unknown quantity. Very shortly in college, inflicted with a knee injury and despite the tragedy, made her way into playing Div I Volleyball at the University of Houston. The public would also be quick to point out that JoEllen had many honors in high school, such as MVP for volleyball and basketball her junior and senior years- noting the District MVP for girls’ basketball her senior year. She was also honored with first team all-district honors her junior and senior seasons, Here the public is remembering JoEllen, the athlete. What I wanted to reflect on was JoEllen, the person. For anyone who was associated with her during high school would be greatly dwarfed compared to now. The memories and impacts she has had on a national scale with volleyball seem to always have more to do with JoEllen, the person. JoEllen, the athlete, was incredible. JoEllen, the person, however, is special…really special.
Joellen Jeffrey-Thibodeaux Bio (PDF)

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STEVE DURRETT
2018 INDUCTION CLASS

Born and raised in Oildale after his family moved from Oklahoma in 1957, Steve was a three sport standout in football, basketball and baseball. As a junior, and playing under North High coaching legend Sam Barton, the Stars won the school’s first ever Valley Championship in 1976. They also won the league championship in his senior year. After high school, Steve attended BC and as a sophomore had a 17-game hitting streak and was named team MVP. In 1982 took a chance and walked on at D-I power San Diego State. Soon he was the starting catcher and the 1983 team reeled off 24 straight wins and were ranked #1 in the nation at one point with a 53-8 record. Steve finished his career with another 17-game hitting streak, hit .425 in WAC play and .555 in the regionals. He was named 1st team All-WAC (South), the All-Regional Team and named the Aztecs’ Most Inspirational Player. After college returned home to work in his dad’s business, Surface Pumps, which he now runs. The competitive juices still flowing, he’s been involved in coaching at Garces and Liberty.

VERN CRISSMAN
2018 INDUCTION CLASS

Some people are born to play any sports. Vern Crissman was one of those. His family moved from Pennsylvania to Oildale in 1945 . Vern started out at BHS in 1952 as a freshman because North High didn’t open their doors until 1953. He was especially talented in basketball but excelled in football and baseball as well. Vern even tried his hand in track briefly. He entered North at 5’3” and 135 pounds and left at 6’4” and 215 pounds. A 3-year starter in basketball, Vern was All-SSL as a junior and senior. He played two years at BC and led the team in scoring both years. Vern went to Fresno State and was part of a conference championship team twice. After Fresno State entered the Army and spent 16 months in Korea. After returning home, Vern opened a very successful insurance business in Delano.