2014 Inductees
NORTH HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME: 2014 Induction Class
Aubrey Allen, Ronny Beaman, Bill Bimat, Fred Bundy, Ray Ermigarat, Bob Ezell, Rick Harvick, Rick Hitchcock, Karen Langston, Lloyd Mosley, Dick Ross, Tony Silver, Barry Townsend, Jill Turner, Eddie Van Fossen, Don Ward, George Williamson
Scroll down ⬇️ for Inductee Biographies
2014 Inductee Biographies
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Born in Lawton Oklahoma in 1921, Aubrey attended early school in Lawton and played football at Cameron State Agricultural College where they won a state championship.
Aubrey entered the University of Colorado in 1942 and played 2 years before serving in the Army Medical Corp from 1944 to 1946.
Returning to the University of Colorado, he starred as an offensive tackle, also earning his Masters Degree and served as athletic trainer.
He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in 1948, but turned them down because they refused to pay the $300 cost of moving the family to Green Bay. Prior to the draft Aubrey was also contacted by the Pittsburg Steelers.
In 1953, Aubrey moved his family west to Bakersfield and was with the first group of teachers to start North High School. There he taught biology and was chairman of the science department. Additional duties included coaching varsity football with Coach Eliades, C class basketball, and diving coach on the swim team.
Other duties included Director of Student Activities, Executive Board Advisor and Key Club Advisor. Since Aubrey and his wife had no sons to play football, they encouraged their three daughters to become swimmers and they were all very successful.
Currently, Aubrey is living in an assisted living facility in Bakersfield and will not be able to attend the induction ceremony.
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Barry Townsend never entered a 50 yard swimming race he didn’t think he could win. Although he did not win them all, this competitive and positive attitude has remained constant throughout all of his academic, personal, and professional pursuits.
Barry earned his first national ranking at the age of ten, and went on to receive All-American Consideration and All-American Recognition three out of his four high school years. He is the second person to ever be a three year high school All American. The first was Mark Spitz. He broke the National 50 meter freestyle record for 15-17 year olds in 1969. In his senior year of high school, Barry broke the National High School Record in the 50-yard Freestyle as well as the Valley Section High School Record. This record lasted 15 years and has only been beaten on four separate occasions in 30 years. Also in his senior year, he anchored a medley relay team along with brother, Jeff Townsend, Robert McCowen and Barry McCowen, that received All-American Recognition as well. Barry was recognized as Kern County High School Athlete of the Year as a result of his football and swimming accomplishments.
After graduating from North High, Barry was awarded a full athletic scholarship to the University of California, Los Angeles, in 1970. During his tenure at UCLA, Barry was ranked in the top four swimmers in the nation each year and was a nine-event All-American Swimmer. He helped lead UCLA to the Pac 10 Championship in 1971, 1972, and 1973 earning All-American Honors in all four years in college. While at UCLA, Barry studied and earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Kinesiology and a post-graduate degree in Prosthetics and Orthotics.
After earning his degrees, Barry practiced prosthetics and orthotics for a short time in Los Angeles before moving back to his home town where he practiced for over 30 years. He opened Valley Institute of Prosthetics and Orthotics in 1980 with his brother Jeff, and, in 1982, became the sole owner and manager of the small business which still operates today at the hands of Barry’s son, Trevor. Helping patients conquer obstacles and achieve goals has been his passion from the start, which is why Barry started designing his own high-functioning prosthetics for the second business he create, BioQuest Prosthetics. During this endeavor, Barry applied for and was awarded nine prosthetic foot patents from the United States Patent.
Over the years, Barry has dedicated himself to his work, his community, and his family, including his wife Karen, his four children, and six grandchildren. He still resides in Bakersfield and is collaborating with his brother, Ernie, on a project again driven by ingenuity and creativity.
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William Bruce Bimat was born in Bakersfield in 1947. At nine years of age, the family moved from the big city to Oildale where he officially became a “Dalian”. Bill’s family home was located on an oil lease off of Porterville Highway and very near North High. He attended Beardsley Elementary and Junior High before becoming a North High Star.
Bill was a skinny, 6 foot 2 inch freshman, and was referred to as Bill “The Beanpole” Bimat by his coaches. He participated in football, basketball, and track all four years lettering in all three sports. Bill still holds the North High long jump record of 23 feet 7 inches, which he set in 1965. Bill was given a dual scholarship for football and track to U.C. Berkeley when he graduated from North in 1965 at the age of 17. After playing football for Cal his freshman year, Bill followed his football coach to U.C. Santa Barbara where he played the next three seasons until his graduation in 1970.
Bill married his high school sweetheart, and fellow “Dalian”, Linda Ogelsby, in 1969. They returned to Bakersfield in 1970, and, in 1974, welcomed their first daughter Angie, followed by Katie in 1976. Of course, the girls would follow their Dad to North High. Bill would later receive his Masters in Education and his Administrative Credential from CSU Bakersfield.
In 1972, much to Bill’s delight, he was hired as a history teacher at his alma mater. He would spend his entire professional career at North as a teacher, coach, Activities Director, Counselor, Assistant Principal, and finally as the Principal of North High School until his death in 1994 at the age of 47. In 2001, the Norris School District, where Bill served as board member for a number of years, named its newest elementary school after him; an honorable tribute to a man who dedicated his life to education.
For Bill, North High was not just the place where he worked. North High was Bill’s second home. He literally spent more than half of his life on this campus, either walking the halls and running on the fields as a student-athlete, or walking the halls and running on the side-lines as a teacher-mentor. As a kid from Oildale who had attended this school, and, who was able to further his education because of the athletics program here, Bill had a unique and special connection with the kids he taught and coached. He could commiserate with the students who were struggling in class because he too had struggled in those same classes, and in some cases, even with the same teachers. He knew exactly what it was like for his students, who spent countless hours in tackling drills, or shooting baskets, or running around the track, because he had done the same thing on the same fields, courts, and tracks. This life-long connection with Oildale in general, and with North High specifically, caused him to cheer a little louder from the sidelines, help a little more in the classroom, and listen a little better in the Principal’s office.
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Bob, the Gazelle, Ezell was a true “River Rat”. Born at Kern General Hospital, his parents brought him home to his first house on Beardsley Avenue. A product of the tent city that bordered the north bank of the Kern River, Bob’s Dad moved them to various military bases during the war. Later, as a student at Standard School, his family moved to the “projects”, former WWII Army/Air Force barracks, at the corner of Francis and Diane streets. In the fifth grade they moved to their home on Barnett Street and lived there throughout his high school years.
Bob enrolled as a freshman at North High School and earned 10 letters in three sports; four as a varsity player in football, basketball and baseball. During 1957 and 1958, Bob led the football team to an SYL Championship where he received the award for All-League Quarterback. Also during his senior year, he led the basketball team in league scoring and lettered in baseball. This three sport athlete received the Harry Coffee Award for the most outstanding football player at North High, the Sam Lynn Trophy as the most outstanding high school athlete, and, was selected as a quarterback for the Senior Bowl All-Star game.
Following high school in 1958, Bob went on to Bakersfield College to play football, but, due to an injury in the All-Star game, he was only able to practice his freshman year. Because of his effort on the practice field, he was awarded a Potato Bowl jacket for the game-winning Renegade team. In 1959, Bob was the quarterback on the team that won the Junior Rose Bowl, and, in 1960, led the “Gades” to another Potato Bowl win. Bob is probably the only former BC Renegade to have all three championship jackets in his closet.
Upon leaving Bakersfield College, Bob entered the University of Nevada at Reno on a football scholarship. At Reno, he played quarterback and safety, because in those days, you had to be a “two-way” player.
After graduating from the University of Nevada, Bob worked as a teacher/coach for the Kern High School district at Foothill High School. While at Foothill, he coached football for 37 years winning nine league championships. In addition, Bob coached girls’ softball for the Trojans for 10 years. Bob grew up in Oildale with sisters Alva Jean and Shelia and brother Billy. Bob has two daughters, Kim and Lonnie, and, two sons, Vance and Kevin. He and his wife of 32 years, Claudia, now call Morro Bay home.
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A true Dalian, Dick Ross, or Dickie as he was also known, was raised in the 700 block of Wilson Avenue and attended Beardsley School from Kindergarten through eighth grade. He entered North High as a freshman in 1953 when the school opened, and, was the first class to attend North High all four years. This was a special time at the brand new school; developing friendships, setting goals, and establishing traditions while being encouraged and inspired by a young and dedicated team of teachers.
Dick admired all his coaches including “B” class football coaches Dusty Rhodes, John Harp, and Dick Westbay, and, his varsity football coaches, Aubrey Allen and Turk Eliades. Turk was not only an outstanding coach, but, also a world-class math teacher who inspired Dick to follow his footsteps and explore the awesome field of mathematics with the next generation.
As a freshman and sophomore, Dick played on the “B” class football team on both the offense and defense as right guard and linebacker respectively. Both teams went undefeated, and, he was voted MVP at the end of his sophomore year. By his junior and senior years, this 145 pound football player was now on the varsity team playing both ways again. This time he was an offensive right guard and a defensive nose tackle which garnered him All-League First Team honors both years and MVP his senior year.
Dick was also an outstanding track athlete competing in the 880 and the 1320 as a sophomore on both the “B” class and varsity track teams. That same year, he anchored the “B” class distance medley team at the Kern Relays where they set the meet record. As a junior and senior, he ran either the 880 or the mile since you could not compete in both events in the same meet. Dick held the school record in both those races running a 4:45 in the mile and a 2:02 in the 880.
After North High, Dick attended Bakersfield College where he lettered in both cross-country and track. In December 1958 he married Barbie and the two moved to Northern California where he received his BA and teaching credential at San Jose State. Returning to Bakersfield in 1963, Dick began his teaching career at Foothill High School. During 1968 through 1969, he received a National Science Foundation Grant from San Diego State where he obtained his master’s degree in math. In 1972, Dick “returned home” to North High where he taught “groups of outstanding students” until his retirement in June 1997.
Dick and Barbie have two children, four granddaughters and twin grandsons. Their son Jeff, a CPA, graduated from North in 1983, went to BC, and graduated from Cal. Daughter Linda, graduated from North in 1985 and the University of San Diego, and, is now a math teacher in Vista, California. Dick and his daughter Linda are the only father/daughter pair to win the coveted Sam Lynn Trophy depicting the most outstanding athlete at North High.
Dick Ross left his mark at North High as not only a student but a beloved teacher as well. His students were truly blessed to have had such a great mentor and inspiring role model, and, the entire Oildale community has prospered by having him as one of their own.
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Don is a true product of the 08 area, growing up on Lincoln Street and China Grade Loop in Oildale. He attended Standard School from Kindergarten through the 8th grade. After one year at Bakersfield High School, he, along with hundreds of other Oildale “River Rats”, was fortunate to be the in the first group of students to enter North High School. This group of sophomores is responsible for the school colors being red and grey and the team names being the Stars, Comets and Twinks when the school opened.
While at North, Don participated in football and baseball for 3 years, and, basketball for 2 years. In 1953 he was named the Most Outstanding Player on the first undefeated football team in North’s history, the B class Comets. In 1954 & 55 he earned the top “Student Athlete” award on the varsity football team. He played B class basketball for 2 years, playing in the B class Valley finals in 1955. He was a 3 year starter at 3rd base for the varsity baseball team. His proudest moment at North High occurred in the fall of 1954, when he quarterbacked the varsity football team to its only Valley Championship to date. During his athletic participation years, he was fortunate to play for 2 coaches who are also members of the North High Athletic Hall of Fame, Jordan “Turk” Eliades and Dick Heber.
After high school, Don attended Stanford University for one year. He was then drafted into the U.S. Marine Corps through the Reserve Program, but, got an ‘’early out” to go back to school. In 1959, he was a member of the National Champion B.C. Renegade football team. In 1960 he entered the University of Nevada at Reno to play football and finish his college education. During fall practice he broke his right shoulder, which finished his playing days. In the fall of 1961 he was asked to help coach the freshman football team at the University of Reno, thus beginning the career that would last for 40 years.
Don returned to Bakersfield in 1963 to begin his teaching and coaching career at South High School. For 28 years he was a math teacher and coach at the school. He coached football for all 28 years including being head varsity coach for 15 of those years. He also spent 15 years at South with the baseball program, eight of those as head varsity coach. During this time, he was lucky to have come in contact with hundreds of outstanding young men who have grown up to be contributors and leaders in their communities. He was also fortunate to coach athletes who have gone on to the professional ranks in both football and baseball. During the last 10 years in education, he served as Athletic Director of the first new high school in the Kern High School District in 21 years. While at Stockdale High, Don created an exceptional coaching staff for this brand new school.
Don is happily retired now and enjoying life with his wife of 52 years, Lorraine. They spend time traveling, golfing, and spending the time together that they missed during his teaching and coaching years.
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When Eddie Van Fossen entered North High school your athletic classification was based on a thing called exponents. That was a combination of height, weight and age. So if you didn’t have enough exponents you were allowed to play “B” Class sports even as a senior. So, Van Fossen was one of the most dominating “B” Class athletes ever at North High, excelling as a running back in football and a guard and MVP of his basketball team as a senior. He also played baseball as a freshman, ran track as a sophomore and was on the swimming team as a senior. And with all of that, he still found time to serve as President of the Associated Men Students. In addition Eddie was involved in several clubs on campus and even played the trumpet for two years in the school band!
After graduation from North High he joined the US Army and while stationed at Sandia Base, Albuquerque, NM, he played on the bases’ football, basketball, track, volleyball and horseshoe teams. Bored he was not.
While in the Army he learned to fly and became involved in air racing in 1984. Over the next 11 years at the Reno Air Races he was the top qualifier 5 times, won 17 heat races, and was National Champion 7 times. In 1994 at the Phoenix 500 Air Races, he won 2 heat races and the Championship Race.
Because of his success he was awarded the Pulitzer Trophy by the National Aeronautic Association for 1993.
Also in 1993 he was inducted into the Bob Elias Kern County Sports Hall of Fame. His greatest memory of North High was being involved with all the fellow athletes, students, coaches, and teachers and of course graduation day. His class of 1958 was the 2nd full graduating class of the school.
Eddie still lives here in town with his wife Tracy, sons Mark, Darren and Jeff and daughter Tobey. Plus 11 grandchildren. Still involved with flying as part of the Old River Crop Dusting Team.
Congratulations Eddie and welcome to the North High Athletics Hall of Fame for an outstanding career both on the ground and in the air.
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Fred was raised in Oildale as a youngster, attending local elementary and junior high schools. After one year at Bakersfield High School, along with hundreds of other “River Rats”, he opened North High as a member of the sophomore class.
During his 3 years at North, Fred was the true high school athlete. He competed in football, basketball, baseball and track, the only four sport athlete during that time. He was a member of the first undefeated team in the history of North High, the “B” class football Comets in 1953. He was a starting end on the South Sierra League and Valley Champion 1954 Stars football team and a starting forward on the 1953-54 South Sierra League Champion basketball team. Fred was also a 3 year starter at 1st base on the varsity baseball team. He has the distinction of being the very first to receive the “Sam Lynn Trophy” for North High as its outstanding athlete. Fred’s most memorable time at North was the 1954 football game against Garces. Though decided underdogs, North defeated Garces 7 to 0 to win the South Sierra League Title.
After high school, Fred began his life long career as a businessman and convenience store owner. Shortly after graduation from high school, he married his sweetheart Donna. They have been married for 55 years, are the parents of two children and grandparents of 4. He has lived the past 49 years in Lake Isabella, where he can participate in his favorite activities of hunting and fishing. For 12 years he served on the South Fork Union School District Board. He is enjoying retirement, traveling, hunting, fishing and spending quality time with his wife.
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George Williamson was appointed principal of North High School in 1955 after the untimely death of Jack M. Hill. He started his teaching career at Lompoc High School in 1932 where he also served as the head football coach. He was hired by Kern County High School in 1934 where he coached on the staffs of the football, basketball, baseball and golf teams. After many successful years in the classroom and on the field he was appointed athletic director and eventually director of counseling.
As a youth, Williamson attended Kern County High School from 1917 to 1920. He lettered in football, baseball and track all four years. In 1920, he was part of the state football championship team. Williamson still holds the state record for kicking 60 consecutive extra points by a kicker. After graduating from high school, he attended the University of Southern California from 1926 to 1930. While at USC, Williamson lettered in baseball all four years where he excelled as a right handed pitcher. After graduating, he was drafted by the Detroit Tigers where he played in the minor league system for two years until an arm injury ended his career. Williamson eventually went back to USC and earned his Master of Education degree in 1946.
Williamson was a 40 year resident of Oildale living less than one mile from North High School. Although he worked for Kern County High School, he watched North High built from the ground up in the 1950’s and felt his destiny was to be a “Star”. His dream became reality in 1955 when he was appointed principal of North High School. His interests and experience in both academics and athletics made him a perfect fit for the job. Being a new school in the district required a lot of hard work to establish North High as one of the prominent schools in the area. Working off the foundation set by Jack Hill, Williamson dedicated himself to that end, diligently establishing North High as a premier high school where the students excelled in academics, athletics and extra-curricular activities.
North High School became a focal point of the Oildale community under Williamson’s leadership. Under his direction, North High School became firmly entrenched as a place that all students, teachers, staff members and the residents living North of the River could be proud.
Williamson retired in 1965 after a decade of selfless service to North High School. He always expressed his pride in the school and was ever grateful for the support he received from those he worked with and the entire North of the River Community.
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Jill Turner was 5’10” tall when she was 12 years old. She claims she was uncoordinated, tall and lanky. The 8th grade girls’ basketball coach saw her walking to class and asked if she was a substitute teacher. When she found out that Jill was in 6th grade she quickly put a basketball in her hands and her love for the game began!
Turner attended North High from 1975-1979. She was a 3 sport athlete all 4 years. In basketball, she was MVP twice, all SYL team all 4 years, had 708 career points, and set a school record for points in a game, 27. She was also on the All-star basketball team that went to Japan to compete in basketball. Turner averaged 28 points in Japan and scored a game high 53 points. In volleyball she was all SYL 2 years. She was also on the swim team for 3 years, where she still holds the JV record for the 50 Breaststroke. She also competed on the track team for one year where she was 5th in the CIF championships in the high jump.
Jill attended Bakersfield College from 1979-1981 and competed in basketball and volleyball both years. As a Freshman she averaged 17.4 points per game, 12 rebounds and had an overall shooting percentage of 46%. She was awarded MVP and was on the first team All-Metro conference team. As a sophomore, Turner averaged 18 points per game, 13 rebounds and had an overall shooting percentage of 59%. She was awarded MVP, was selected on the first team All-Metro conference and received Sophomore Athlete of the year. In volleyball she was selected All-Metro team for both freshman and sophomore seasons and was awarded the MVP as a sophomore. Turner was the only athlete, male or female in the Metro conference history that was selected on the first team All-Metro team in two sports for two consecutive years. After BC, she attended CSUN on a full ride scholarship for basketball. Turner was a 2 year starter at CSUN and averaged 11 points per game with a 54% career shooting average.
In 1984, she began her coaching career at BHS as the frosh-soph girls’ basketball coach. She coached at BHS for 3 years and had a record of 33 wins, 9 losses. She was hired by Lloyd Williams in 1986 as the North Highs girls’ frosh-soph basketball coach and teacher under the direction of varsity coach, Curt DeRossett. Turner coached the frosh-soph team for 5 years and compiled an overall record of 97-9, with 5 consecutive league championships. She was the NHS varsity coach for 2 years with a 25-23 record. Turner has taught Special Education at the Kern High School District for the last 28 years. She has been blessed to have had two loving, supportive, amazing parents who encouraged her and came to every game she participated in or coached. She has also been blessed with three beautiful children Keyon 17, James 9 and Madison Marie 1.
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Before arriving at North High School, Karen Langston began her life long love for sports at Norris School and NOR Recreation and Parks District. She signed up for every sport that was available and she excelled at all. Her abilities came naturally and she had an unmatched desire and work ethic. One of her most notable accomplishments as a young athlete was setting NOR records in the 9 and under age group in the 50-yard dash and the long jump that stood until after she was out of college. In Jr. High, she was a member of the Norris School basketball team that advanced to the Southern California playoffs in 2 consecutive years, finishing 2nd and 3rd.
At North High, she was a 3-sport standout athlete competing in volleyball, basketball and softball. She played on 4 league championship teams, was All SYL 5 times, MVP 4 times, and was nominated for the Star Award 8 times – winning twice. As a sophomore, she was the starting short stop on the softball team and she was on the varsity basketball team that advanced to the state playoffs and faced future super star Cheryl Miller.
This star shined brightest in her senior year. Langston was the first Kern County athlete to be selected to first team All-Area in 3 sports in the same year and is one of only a few to ever do so – male or female. During this year, Langston led the basketball team in scoring (5th overall in league) and assists. She was 3rd on the team in rebounds as a guard standing only 5’6”. During this year, Langston was named Jockey Club athlete of the month 3 times. She was also selected to the California All-Star basketball team. In addition to sports, she was ASB Vice President, the first female President of the Big N Club, Homecoming Princess, and was involved in 4H showing a lamb at the Kern County Fair. With a demanding schedule, Langston remained an excellent student, receiving a 4.0 in her last semester at North with a tough college prep schedule.
Langston capped off a stellar high school career winning the Sam Lynn award (1984) and was a finalist for the Tyack award. She received both Norris School and North High Booster Club scholarships and the Coca Cola Scholarship for most outstanding athlete. She was awarded the Rick Holloway Scholarship and received the National Guard Scholar Athlete Award.
Langston went on to become a standout volleyball player in a powerhouse program at Cal State Northridge reaching the NCAA finals 3 times, winning the National Championship in 1987. Her coach at Northridge, Walt Ker, called Langston, “one of the best athletes to ever play for me”. She was a “Jill of all trades” at CSUN, playing all but one position on the court until her senior year when she took over the reins as the starting setter. While playing at Northridge, she was conference Player of the Year and All-American. At the premier Air Force Academy Tournament, she was selected to the All-Tournament Team. However, the individual award she is most proud of was the final award she received her senior year: All-Tournament at the NCAA finals in 1988. Later, Langston went on to win a second national championship at the 1992 USVBA Open co-ed Nationals.
Langston is still an impact player in the Bakersfield sports community. As the Associate Athletics Director at CSU Bakersfield, she is one of the University’s top fundraisers.
Karen Langston credits her success in sports and life to her parents, Stan and Carol (both attended North High), who have always supported her unconditionally and encouraged her to shoot for the Stars.
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Lloyd was born in Arkansas and the family moved to the San Pedro, Wilmington area in greater Los Angeles when he was a small boy. He stared school there but was only able to attend half days because of the overcrowding in the schools during and after the war.
When he later moved to Bakersfield, he was held back a year because of the half year credits down south. This would later prove to cause a problem in his athletic eligibility in high school but at the time no one gave it a second thought
At Beardsley Jr. High School, Lloyd was developing skills in all sports and also exhibiting leadership skills.
Upon entering North High School in 1954, Lloyd quickly established himself as one of the top athletes in the school. As a junior, he was the starting QB and arguably the best in town. In basketball and baseball he excelled and led he teams in many categories.
Lloyd was one of 2-3 baseball players that actually went up to the stadium to run track in his baseball uniform between innings. He was that good.
Prior to the beginning of football season for his senior year, it was discovered that Lloyd was actually 19 which made him ineligible to play any sports as a senior. He still came out for football and spent the year running the opposing teams offense against the varsity defense in practice, never missing one practice and never complaining one time. Consider that sacrifice and try to imagine someone doing that today! His contribution was instrumental in the varsity having a championship 9-1 season. He was named Most Inspirational Player that year and will not be forgotten by those who knew and played with him. Lloyd Mosley, truly one of North High’s finest.
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Ray Ermigarat’s parents immigrated from France in the early 1900’s and settled on a small farm near Greenfield. After transferring from Bakersfield High School at the end of his freshman year, Ray went on to become a seven-time North High Star Letterman and a legitimate Basketball STAR. Talk to anyone about the basketball greats of North in the early years of the school, and Ray Ermigarat will be one of the first names mentioned.
His late arrival at North did not keep Ray from leaving his mark in the Star gym as he was a three year starter on the varsity basketball team his sophomore, junior and senior years. As the starting point guard, he was MVP in 1962 as well as First Team SYL in 1962 and ’63. Ray missed being the top scorer in the league by only two points both his junior and senior years. He was a member of the All Tournament Basketball team and the Kern Prep Invitational All Tourney Team in 1962, and, the Kern County High School Cage Tournament Team in 1963. In his last year of high school basketball, Ray and the rest of the North High varsity team beat BHS by a score of 48-44 to win the Kern Prep Invitational. That was the first time any other high school team besides BHS had won that tournament. The overall record for the Stars in 1962-63 was 18-3 and is probably the best league record of any North High basketball team to date.
Ray’s talents didn’t stop with basketball, however. He also played junior varsity baseball in 1961 and varsity baseball in 1962 and 1963. But, I’m sure there is one sport you might not associate with Ray Ermigarat, and, that’s cross country. He originally went out for cross county in order to get in shape for basketball but soon found out that he was pretty good at it. So good, in fact, that he placed fifth in the SYL Cross Country Championships in 1961.
Upon graduating from North in 1963, Ray entered Bakersfield College and played basketball for one year averaging 19.9 points per game and was elected to the All Metropolitan Conference Team that year. After his freshman year, he had two knee operations and sat out one year. He tried to return to the court, but his knee just wasn’t the same thus ending his basketball career forever. But, good things came out of his time at BC; that’s where Ray met his wife, Judy, to whom he’s been married for 45 years. Ray and Judy have two children and six grandchildren. Their son, Jason, graduated from West High in 1990 and Pointe Loma in 1995. Following in her Dad’s footsteps, daughter Kori graduated from North in 1992 and the University of South Carolina in 1997.
Playing for great coaches such as Tom Bailey and Joe Goode are at the top of Ray’s fondest high school memories’ list, along with being on the same team with outstanding basketball players such as George Culver, Guy Rounsaville, Larry Tolliver, Danny Moore, Roger Palmer, Larry Hudson, Jim Windes, Paul Crissman, and Barboza Teixeira. He also remembers receiving overwhelming support from the faculty and student body. Thankfully, Ray Ermigarat came to North High via Bakersfield High School to become one of the premier basketball stars this school has ever produced.
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Rick Harvick was a three sport athlete at North High School between 1965 and 1969 earning his varsity letter six times in four years. He was not only an outstanding athlete at North, but, he was also a member of the executive board of the school by being voted senior class vice-president.
Rick played varsity football his junior and senior years and was voted to the All City team his senior year. He was also a three year member of the varsity wrestling and baseball teams, and, was selected to the All City Baseball team his senior year.
From North High, Rick enrolled at Bakersfield College where he continued his athletic career. He was a member of two Metropolitan League Championship teams in football and was also on the baseball team. In 1974, Rick graduated from Cal State University Bakersfield with a Bachelors Degree, graduated from Cal Lutheran in 1994 with a Masters of Arts in Administration, and earned his Administrative Credential from Fresno Pacific University in 2001.
Rick started his coaching career as head JV wrestling coach at North in 1972 guiding his team to an SYL Championship. He also held the head JV football and baseball positions from 1980-84, and, was head varsity football coach from 1985-1989 winning the SYL championship one time. As head baseball coach at McFarland, Rick won the league championship and earned League Coach of the year two times. At Shafter, he won the league as head varsity football coach, was runner-up in the valley game, and, was All Area Coach of the Year in 1984.
After retiring from coaching, Rick went into Administration where he held positions at three different schools in the Kern High School District from 1991-2013. From North, to Stockdale, to BHS, Rick was Athletic Director, Dean of Students, Dean of Athletics and Activities, and, Vice Principal. Rick said his final goodbye to education on January 1, 2013.
Rick is proud to have been coached by three charter members of this Athletic Hall of Fame; Turk Eliades, Win Bootman, and Sam Barton. He credits his parents, however, for his success in athletics and life in general. As excellent role models for Rick and his siblings, Mike and Becky, Charlie and June Harvick never missed a sporting event or any other school activity. In fact, his Mom kept a pretty close eye on her young son by being on campus everyday as attendance secretary.
Rick and Tish will be celebrating their 42nd anniversary in June and keep busy traveling and spending time with the grandkids. Their son, Matthew, played baseball at North, graduated from Oral Roberts University and lives in Bakersfield with his wife and two daughters. Their daughter, Misty was a cheerleader at North, graduated from Long Beach State and lives in Virginia with her husband and two sons.
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Rick Hitchcock’s two mile record time of 9 minutes 12.1 seconds that he set as a senior in 1968 still stands today. That’s a forty-six year old record at North High. Before he graduated, Rick had piled up the awards in both track and cross country. Between 1964 and 1968, he ran on the varsity teams in both sports all four years, was MVP in track all four years, and, MVP in cross country for three of those years.
Rick’s accomplishments as a runner at North were many. While running on the varsity track team, and, always in the two mile, he was a three-time SYL Champion, a two–time Division and C.I.F. Valley Champion, and placed seventh in the State Meet his senior year where he set the school record. His high school coach, Stan Ingram, has said that he knew whatever race Rick was in, he could count on him to be at the front or very near the front of the race. This 4’10” 98 pound runner was “just like a machine” according to Coach Ingram; very driven and sometimes like a “vicious animal” if he had to come from behind, a place he didn’t like to be.
As a cross country runner, Rick earned the title of SYL Champion his sophomore, junior and senior years, and Divisional Champ his junior and senior years. As a culmination of all of his hard work and dedication to his sports, he was award the prestigious Sam Lynn Award for the top male athlete in 1968.After graduating from North High, Rick went on to win the Metropolitan Conference and Southern California Regional J.C. cross country races as a freshman at Bakersfield College. That same year he placed second at the State Cross Country Meet and was named the Metropolitan Conference Cross Country Runner of the Year. Rick started off his junior college track season just as well by winning the Metro Conference one mile and 2 mile races, the So Cal two mile in 8:59.6, and the State Meet two mile in a time of 9:06.4 minutes. He was once again awarded the Conference trophy for Track and Field Athlete of the Year.
Rick’s sophomore year, he went undefeated in J.C. cross country winning at the prestigious Mt. Sac Invitational where he ran 18:52 for four miles; a time that was rarely seen back then according to his Cross country coach, Bob Covey. He went on to win the Metro Conference Meet, the So Cal Meet, and, the first State Meet held at Fresno’s Woodward Park in a time of 19:49 minutes for four miles. That year, he received the Conference trophy for Cross Country Runner of the Year again. Track season his sophomore year started out with Rick dominating the early races in the mile and two mile, but, an injury to his Achilles tendon got him off the track for a three week rest. Even after his injury, he still competed in the State Meet and placed second in the mile that year.
In the fall of 1970, Rick transferred to Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas, and became a five-time All American. On April 31, 1972 the “K-State” Distance Medley team won at the Drake Relays in a World Record time of 9:31.8 with Rick running the third leg (three quarters of a mile) in 2:55.4.
Following his tenure at Kansas State, Rick ran as a professional for the International Track Association which had just been founded making it the first time in history that track athletes were paid to perform. The ITA had several meets over the next two years in Europe and Asia but closed after that due to lack of financial support. Once Rick became a professional athlete, he could no longer compete as an amateur. Those rules were changed a few years later, but, by then his life was heading in a different direction.
Rick Hitchcock loved a challenge and loved to win, and, that’s what made him a force to be reckoned with on the track or in cross country. With his B.C. and Kansas State careers, Rick must be considered as one of the top distance runners to ever come out of Bakersfield and Kern County. He is also a member of the Bob Elias Kern County Sports Hall of Fame, the RenegadeTrack and Field Hall of Fame, and, still resides in Bakersfield.
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Christian, Scholar, Athlete, Leader, Patriot, War Hero.
Ronny Beaman, a member of the 1959 graduating class at North High, was much more than an outstanding scholar/athlete. In addition to being the center on the football team, he was also the catcher on the baseball team and still found time to serve as the student body Vice-President.
After playing baseball at Bakersfield College, he then went on to play at Pepperdine University, becoming one of the first North High athletes to play Division-I College baseball. And all this at an imposing 5’9” and 170 pounds.
In 1964 Ronny was drafted into the Army during the Vietnam war. Later he would become a Green Beret and Captain in the 5th Division Special Forces. He was also an Infantry Unit Commander and an Airborne Ranger Paratrooper. He lost his life on June 27, 1969 while retrieving an Australian officer’s body that had been killed near him.
As a result of his heroic acts, Beaman was awarded multiple medals and citations. Among them the Purple Heart, 3 Bronze Star Medals, a Silver Star, the Air Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Gallantry Cross and Presidential Unit Citation. In addition, he was honored by the Vietnamese Government with the National Order of Vietnam, the US equivalent of our National Medal of Honor.
In May of 2011, North High honored Ronny with a plaque on the varsity baseball field bleachers, listing his accomplishments. In addition there is now a Ronny Beaman Memorial Scholarship Fund, with proceeds benefitting a deserving North High student. The North High Athletics Hall of Fame is so proud to honor one of its favorite sons, Ronny Beaman.
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Tony Silver was born on May 6th, 1946 in Asheville, North Carolina. At a young age, his family moved to Lakeland, Florida where he attended Kathleen High School, playing basketball and baseball. Tony played baseball and graduated from Bethany Nazarene College (now Southern Nazarene University) in Bethany, Oklahoma. His first teaching job brought him to Bakersfield in 1969 as a Physical Education teacher in the Fruitvale District.
In 1972, Tony began coaching football at North High School, which would be the beginning of a long coaching career in both football and baseball at North. He coached FS and JV Football from 1972 to 1977. In 1978, Tony moved to the Varsity coaching staff as an assistant and remained on the Varsity staff until 2002.
Tony’s baseball coaching career began in 1975 as the freshmen coach at North. After two seasons, he became the JV coach in 1977. After two seasons as the JV coach, Tony replaced Sam Barton as the Varsity baseball coach, a position he held until 2006. During his 28 year tenure as a head coach, Tony lead the Stars to eight (8) league championship titles in his career, including SYL titles in 1981, 1982, 1984, 1987, 1989, 1992, and SWYL titles in 1995, and 1997. Among those league titles, the 1992 league championship included an undefeated league record in the old SYL. Tony’s coaching career was highlighted by the 1981 CIF (Valley) Section Championship.
During Tony’s 28 year tenure at North, he amassed a record of 483-275-6. His total career wins for baseball ranked 5th all-time in the central section at the time of his retirement.
Tony taught at North for 38 years from 1971 to 2007. During his time at North, he was a physical education teacher, physical education department chair, Assistant Dean, and Athletic Director. His retirement from coaching in 2006 and from teaching in 2007 did not end his coaching career. He has remained an assistant baseball coach continuously since stepping down as head baseball coach and has been an assistant football coach at Bakersfield College since 2008.Since retirement Tony spends time with his wife Judy, three children, Crysta, Todd, and Cy, as well as three perfect grandkids.
