Bakersfield College hosted their 30th annual track and field and cross-country hall of fame induction ceremony on March 22 in the BC cafeteria. They inducted 10 former athletes as well as handing out two awards.
The 10 athletes inducted into the hall of fame were: Eldora DeMots, Bill Van Osdel, Richard “Dick” Wahl, Alvino Lujan, Chris Glover, Kara Ragland, Jeff Caneta, Mike Rexroth, Clarissa Rivera and Nick Cramer.
Michael Tivnon was awarded the “Life-Time of Service to Bakersfield College Athletics” plaque, and Gary Frank was awarded the “2012 Bill Heffernan Memorial Track and Field Official of the Year” plaque.
Bob Covey, former BC coach and current member of the hall of fame board of directors, commented on the ceremony.
“It was really good,” he said. “This might be our last one since we’re trying to go for an all-sports hall of fame, so I thought it was really nice. There were just under 200 people here, so I thought we were fortunate to have this kind of support.
“We don’t expect to make too much money, but it’s nice to get this kind of support.”
He added that he enjoyed seeing some of the former athletes that hadn’t been at BC in a while.
“I really enjoyed seeing people like Dick Wahl and Alvino, who haven’t been back here in a while,” he said. “It was special for me to see every athlete, and I’m really glad that we were able to get everyone here.
“The committee was in charge of that and it was great that they got them to come here. It’s important to honor good people, and they’re good people. We spend too much time talking about the jerks, so it’s good to honor the good ones.”
Tivnon commented on how he felt getting the award and being at the ceremony.
“It’s really special because my dad came here in the ’30s, I came in the ’60s and my kids came here in the ’90s, so we owe a lot to this school. It’s nice to be recognized for taking care of the guys, and it’s nice that they’re thanking me for that.“
He added that he enjoyed the ceremony because he liked seeing all the old friends and their families. Tivnon graduated from BC in 1965 and received his Medical Doctorate in 1971 from the University of California, Irvine. He became a team doctor for BC in 1980.
Wahl commented on being inducted to the hall of fame.
“It’s a great honor to be treated this way, so I’m glad that so many people showed up,” he said. “It’s quite an honor and it’s not something I expected. I’m just so appreciative that they remember all my achievements. It’s wonderful to see old friends and see how the school looks now because I attended it when it was a co-university with BHS, so it’s good to see all the advancements this school has made.”
Wahl attended BC in 1952-53 and was on the track team both years.
Wahl finished second in the shot put at the 1952 Metropolitan Conference, and then in 1953 Wahl broke the BC record in the shot put and the final record held for 13 years.
Rexroth explained what it meant to be inducted to the hall of fame.
“It’s a great honor,” he said. “It brings back great memories and it brings back how my coaches helped me develop into a good student athlete and all the life lessons they taught me.
“Its good to see some familiar faces and it’s good to have my family here during this day.”
He added how BC was a good stepping-stone for him.
“I think coming here first helped me out a lot because I gained a lot of knowledge here, and that helped me out when I went to ASU [Arizona State University].
“I hope they continue to have these ceremonies because I really want to come back to another.”
Rexroth attended BC in 1998-99 and was BC’s track and field team co-captain in 1999.
At the 1999 Western State Conference meet, Rexroth placed first in the discus throw and second place in the hammer throw.
He tied for third in the discus throw in the Southern California Championships and qualified for State in both the discus throw and hammer throw.
He was also the Western State Conference Athlete of the Year in 1999.