After a two-year hiatus, the 15th annual CBC Hall Of Fame Banquet will return on Friday, February 24th on campus in the Byron Gjerde Center. A social hour will begin at 5pm with silent auction, followed by a sit-down dinner at 6:15pm.
The ceremony will include a presentation of the inductees, live auction packages, and catered dinner. This year's inductees include 1977 Volleyball/Basketball player Janet Esparza, 1962 Football player Bud Hare, the 1999 NWAC Champion Men's Soccer team and the 1965 NWAC Champion Football team. Individual tickets are on sale for $75 per person. All proceeds will go to CBC athletic scholarships and facility development. Please contact Athletic Director Scott Rogers at srogers@columbiabasin.edu or by phone at 509-542-4834 for additional information.
Janet Middleton Esparza
Janet transferred to CBC in the fall of 1976 and played volleyball and basketball – being named the Mid-Columbia Basketball Player of the Year in 1977, while earning her AA Degree. In the announcement from May 11, 1977 "Sophomore Janet Middleton Esparza, a transfer from EWSC, was a major contributor to the success of the Hawks this year. As CBC's post player, listed at 5'9", Janet proved herself to be one of the top rebounders in Northwest Community College play. Her explosive rebounding ability enabled her to consistently out-rebound much taller and bigger opponents. Esparza shot 46% from the field and 60% from the foul line. Janet was a key factor in leading the Hawks to second place at the Northwest Regional Championships. The Hawks were defeated by Flathead CC who went on to finish 5
th at Nationals."
Janet returned to Eastern in the fall of 1978, where she played volleyball in 1978 and 1979. She was named a team captain and made the all-conference volleyball team in 1979.
Her team qualified for the Division II Nationals in Orlando, Florida and she graduated with a BA in Physical Education and Secondary Reading in the winter of 1980.
Bud Hare
Leading a talented rushing attack for the 1961 Hawks, Hare helped propel CBC to the first undefeated season in school history. Hare, a stubby piston-powered speedster whose gridiron antics resemble the open-field capers of his four-legged namesake, was the busiest back in CBC history, carrying the ball 130 times.
Leading the team in rushing, yards per game, and scoring, Hare was selected to both the All-State Team and the All-American First Team for his efforts. As a sophomore, Hare led the 1962 CBC football team to an 8-0-1 record and a number 3 ranking in the nation according to the All-American Gridiron Index. They also secured the first northwest invitation to the Jr Rose Bowl.
CBC's high-powered offense outscored opponents 304-47 on the season. As a sophomore, Hare was again featured in the rushing attack. His sophomore campaign saw him shatter 12 school rushing records and improving his career rushing total to over 1,000 yards. Once again, Bud Hare was selected to the All-State First Team as a running back. nHis efforts also tabbed him as an Honorable Mention All-American selection.
Hare was also a standout baseball player, earning All-Conference Honors as a second baseman on CBC's first championship baseball team in 1963, under the direction of CBC Hall of Fame coaching legend Len Pyne.
Hare's exploits took him to Idaho State University, where he starred in both football and baseball.
1999 Men's Soccer Team
The Hustlin' Hawks capped a magnificent 18-2-1 season, winning their first NWAC Championship in what was only the second year of a brand-new soccer program. CBC stopped Tacoma 2-0 in the quarterfinals. In the semi-finals at Pop Keeney Stadium in Bothell, CBC edged Clark 3-2, and then came back the next day to win the title in an exciting overtime finish. Freshman Troy Swallow came off the bench to score the only goal of the game as CBC bested Spokane 1-0 in overtime.
In only it's second year of men's soccer, CBC captured the NWAC title. An incredible CBC attack led the NWAC with 78 goals scored (3.71 PG), while a resolute defense surrendered a league-low 11 goals against (.52 PG). Posting 13 shutouts on the season, including two in the postseason, the Hawks posted shutouts in 62% of matches played.
1965 Football Team
Dwight Pool lost the first football game he ever coached at CBC. Since that defeat at the start of the 1959 season, CBC went 53-5-3, reflecting how dominant CBC football was on the national stage. Three of those losses came in the 1960 "rebuilding year." Despite the impressive record, the Hawks had only one perfect season, going 9-0 in 1960.
The 1965 CBC Hawks football team claimed it's fifth consecutive NWAC Championship with a 9-0 record, dominating opponents all season long. Outscoring opponents by an average of
31-5, they also rewrote the CBC record books setting new college records for total offense, yards per game, passing yards, passing attempts, and passing touchdowns.
All four coaches – Dwight Pool, John Howard, Dale Gier, and Wally Brown are members of the CBC Hall of Fame. Despite ending a perfect season and being ranked #4 in the country by JC Grid-Wire, CBC was one of the few nationally ranked teams not participating in a post season bowl game.
CBC Honors:
Bob Lake –Center, All-State and All-American
Ron East – Defensive Tackle; All-State
Terry Blanchard – Guard; All-State
Jerry Baily – Halfback; All-State and All-American
Otis Thomas – Guard; All-State
Ray Biggs – Tackle; All-State
Ray Brum – Quarterback; All-State
Bob Beers – Linebacker; All-State
Dick Brown – Fullback; All-State
