Art Bloom – First Principal

Attended University of California Berkeley and was a member of the varsity Baseball Team. He taught at Oroville High School prior to moving to the Bay Area. He taught and was an Administrator at Mt.Diablo High School and then became the first principal of PHHS and formed its first staff for the 1953-54 school year.

Charlene Forrest summed up the vision of Art Bloom for Pleasant Hill High School:

“Art Bloom was a man of integrity and honesty and he loved PHHS. He wanted Pleasant Hill to be like a family, and he made it into just that. He admired and trusted his faculty, staff, and students. He supported them in all their endeavors. In return, everyone respected Art. Under his leadership, PHHS became a well-rounded school and excelled in academics and athletics.”

Coach Bob McGuire

Coached Cross Country & Track and taught Math at PHHS from 1957 – 1977. DVAL titles: 6 Boys Cross Country and 2 Boys Track and Field. 4 North Coast Section Boys Cross Country Titles. 4 Modesto Invitational Boys Cross-Country Titles and Boys Cross Country Teams of 1965, 1966 & 1972 ranked in nation’s “Top Ten.” Pioneer of Women’s Sports: 3 Girls DVAL Track & Field Titles and 3 Girls Cross Country Titles. Coached and taught at Cal State Hayward (now East Bay University) from 1978-1992. McGuire guided the Pioneers to the NCAA Division Two Track and Field National Championship in 1981. His Cross-Country teams captured back-to-back AIAW Division Two National Titles in 1979 & 1980. He coached numerous All-Americans during his 14-year tenure in Hayward and was named Northern California Athletic Conference Coach of the Year Six Times. In addition, ten of McGuire’s former student-athletes have been inducted into the East Bay Hall of Fame

Roger Leonard

Roger was hired at PHHS in 1964 and taught and coached until 1974 when he was hired as the Head Football Coach for the newly opened Northgate High School. He taught and coached at Northgate High School from 1974 until 2001 when he retired. Roger taught in the Industrial Arts Department including Architectural Drawing, Drafting, & Electronics. He also coached Golf at PHHS along with coaching Football with Coach Briggs & Coach Timms. Coach Leonard graduated from Utah State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree and later attained his Masters in Education & Administrative Credential from Chapman University.

Hal Briggs

Taught and coached at PHHS from 1953 through 1980. Also known as “Big Red” and so appropriate for the “red” of PHHS. Coach Briggs coached Football from 1953-1976, he also coached Track from 1953-1956. Coach Briggs taught in the Physical Education Department at PHHS. Famous for his session in PE to the Freshmen class on “How to put on a Jock strap.” His football teams had two top Five Teams in the East Bay rankings and he was Coach of the Year in 1967. He coached the “Team of the Decade” which was the 1968 undefeated Championship Team. As an athlete, played football for the University of Colorado Buffaloes. Later he obtained his Masters Degree at Colorado State University. The trio of Coach Briggs, Coach Timms, & Coach Leonard were certainly the backbone for the success of the Rams Football Teams.

Jimmie Timms

Coach Timms attended and graduated from the College of the Pacific in Stockton. He played football and rugby at COP and was selected as an All-American Center for small schools. After college he played for the US Army traveling football team for two years. He played all over the world with the Army team including Germany & other European countries. He started teaching PE and coaching at PHHS in 1959. Coached football and track. Coach Timms is being honored for his dedication to teaching and coaching football along with Coach Briggs & Coach Leonard. Coach Timms was selected as the Head Coach prior to PHHS closing down and did continue coaching and teaching at Ygnacio Valley High School after PHHS closed.

Charlene Forrest

Taught and coached at PHHS from 1963-1980. Continued teaching after PHHS closed down at College Park High School. Charlene was a key part of the Physical Education and Athletic Department at PHHS. She was a woman of honesty, integrity, and fairness. Charlene was the Head Tennis coach from 1972 – 1975. She also led the Song and Cheerleaders from 1963 through 1967. Charlene was the first female Physical Education teacher in the Mt. Diablo Unified School District to teach an “all-boys” PE class. She loved her time at PHHS ands till today you can find her at several of the class reunions.

Clyde Forrest

Taught metal shop and coached at PHHS from 1963 through 1980. Clyde was a leader in the Industrial Arts Department. He was a man of integrity and believed in hard work, in both the classroom and the athletic field. Coach Forrest was the Head Wrestling Coach where he coached numerous athletes to succeed including 14 league champions, 5 North Coast champions and 2 CIF State champions. He coached two top 15 North Coast Section teams. In 2019 Coach Forrest was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the California State Wrestling Hall of Fame. Coach Forrest was also a key part of the Football Staff in his time at PHHS, where he coached at all three levels. Coach Forrest is revered by many of his former students, athletes and coaching colleagues.

Dick Egan - Class of 1955

Football, Basketball & Baseball - All League in Football, Basketball & Baseball, played quarterback on the Football Team. Played professional baseball with Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Angels, & Los Angeles Dodgers.

Jim McMillin - Class of 1956

Football, Basketball, & Baseball - All League in Football, Basketball & Baseball. Played at Diablo Valley College and then transferred and played at Colorado State. Played professional football with Denver Broncos & Oakland Raiders.

Tom Larscheid - Class of 1958

Football, Basketball, & Baseball - All League in Football, Basketball & Baseball. Played Running Back at Diablo Valley College and then transferred to Utau State. Played professional football in the Canadian Football League with British Columbia Lions.

Roger Leonard - Class of 1959

Football, Basketball, & Baseball - Voted “Most Athletic” at Pleasant Hill High School, played 3 years varsity football and was Captain of the Football Team, starting guard on Basketball Team both Junior and Senior years. Starting outfielder on the Baseball Team both Junior and Senior years. Played halfback and cornerback at Utah State University (1959-1963) under Head Coach John Ralston.

Roger Foulk - Class of 1960

Football, Wrestling, & Track - Two years All League Fullback on the Football Team. 1960 DVAL Champion at 191 lb. Weight class and the Bay Area Invitational Champion in the 191-weight division. Excelled in Track & Field in the Shot Put, Discus and 120-Yard-High Hurdles, setting DVAL and school records in each at the 1960 DVAL league meet, winning all three events. Coach McGuire in the newspaper called in his “greatest performance.” Attended Utah State University on an athletic scholarship and played football on the Aggies national ranked team and played in post season Bowl games.

Lennis Cowell - Class of 1961

Football, Wrestling & Baseball - played two years varsity Football and varsity Baseball, excelled in Wrestling. In both junior and senior years was DVAL wrestling champion, senior year won North Coast Section and was Champion at the Northern California State Wrestling Championships. Lennis was Most Outstanding Wrestler in the DVAL. He wrestled at Diablo Valley College and was League Champion. Lennis was Most Outstanding Wrestler at Regionals and took 3rd place as the State Community College Championships. He also played shortstop on the Baseball Team. Wrestled at Cal Poly where he continued to excel and was Two Time NCAA College All American and was on Cal Poly’s first NCAA Championship Team in 1966. Inducted in California Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2006, Diablo Valley College’s Hall of Fame in 2007, National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2009, Cal Poly’s Hall of Fame in 2015, and now inducted in Pleasant Hill High’s School first ever Hall of Fame in 2024.

Tom Foster - Class of 1962

Football & Wrestling - played three years on Varsity Football Team; Junior year 2nd Team all DVAL at Fullback, Senior Year, All DVAL 1st Team at Fullback, voted Most Valuable Player & Captain, and was selected as an “All American” by Wigwam of America. Wrestling: four years on varsity: DVAL Champion as Freshman & Sophomore, Junior Year was League Champion plus North Coast Champion and Senior Year; DVAL Champion at 194 lbs, plus North Coast Champion and Norther California State Champion.

Gene Hansen - Class of 1967

Football, Wrestling, & Track - White Block Award Status, Outstanding Three Sport Athlete in Football, Wrestling & Track & Field.Football: Running Back – 2nd Team All-DVAL. Wrestling: DVAL Champion Junior & Senior Years. Track: DVAL Champ in Shot Put, top mark in the Bay Area, qualified for State Meet. Diablo Valley College: Football, Wrestling (League Champ), Track (2nd in league in shot). awarded the “Norseman Award” for Athlete of the Year in 1969. Fresno State: Continued with Varsity Football, Wrestling: League Champion, & Track: 6th in state final in Javelin. Awarded Athlete of the Year in his Senior year at Fresno State.

Pat Riley – Class of 1969

Football, Basketball, & Baseball – Football: All League Running Back, Led the league in Rushing Yards, First Team All East Bay, played on the Undefeated 1968 Football Team and League Champions. Varsity Baseball, Junior Year, played Basketball Freshmen & Sophomore seasons. Selected and played in the prestigious All State North-South game in 1969. Played football at Diablo Valley College and was inducted into Diablo Valley College’s Hall of Fame. He transferred and played Football at Boise State.

Alvin Davis – Class of 1969

Football, Wrestling, & Track Varsity Football: played offense and defensive line, 1st Team DVAL as Defensive Tackle. Wrestling; Record: 28-2, DVAL Champion, North Coast Champion, Team MVP. Track: Varsity 3 years, Shotput placed 3rd DVAL. White Block Recipient as well as Athlete of the Year for Class of 1969. Diablo Valley College; Football & Wrestling, Football: Team Captain 1970 & 1971, All Conference 1st Team, Golden Gate Conference Lineman of the Year, All CA Junior College 2nd Team, Most Valuable Lineman Award, received 22 full ride scholarship offers. Wrestling: Heavy Weight Division, Record 38-6, Golden Gate Conference 1st place, JC CA Stave Tournament 4th Place.Boise State: All Big Sky Left Offensive Tackle, All American Left Offensive Tackle. Drafted by Atlanta Falcons.

Vince Ujdur – Class of 1970

Football, Basketball & Baseball - Three Sport Star in Varsity Baseball, Basketball, & Baseball. Football: All League as Defensive End in Football, also played Tight End, and was the kicker. Basketball: All League in Basketball, lead the DVAL in scoring and rebounds. Baseball: Varsity Baseball catcher and was All League in Baseball. Signed Major League Baseball Contract with the Texas Rangers. Male Athlete of the Year for Class of 1970.

Ed Miller – Class of 1971

Football, Basketball & Track - Varsity Football, Basketball & Track. Played Defensive End & Tight End for Football team. Started center for Basketball Team. Track – holds High Jump (6’ 9”) and Triple Jump records (46’ 10”). First place league in High Jump & Triple Jump. Qualified for State Meet and took 2nd at State Meet. Held DVAL and North Coast records for High Jump and Triple Jump.

Diablo Valley College – Set High Jump record for Junior College at 7’, took 2nd place at Junior College State Meet. Inducted in the inaugural Hall of Fame Class at Diablo Valley College in 2006. Received track scholarship to UC Berkeley, NCAA Decathlon Champion in 1976. Decathlon school record holder at Cal. Participated in the Olympic trials for Decathlon in 1976 & 1980. Inducted in Cal’s Hall of Fame in 2002. Retired as Associate Head Coach at Cal after 30 years.

Kathy Costello McGuirk – Class of 1975

Outstanding in Cross Country, Basketball & Track.

Basketball: Varsity team both Sophomore & Junior years.

Cross Country: Sophomore – 1st place League, 3rd place North Coast. Junior - 1st place DVAL, team Champs, 5th place North Coast. Senior – 1st place league, team champs, 1st place North Coast, team 3rd place.

Track – Junior – National High School Record in 880 and Mile, State Meet 1st Place in 880. Senior – Broke again the National High School Record for the Mile and 880. State Meet: 1st place in 880 and mile. Ran in college at UCLA, Northridge, & Oregon State.

John Raeside – Class of 1976

Football, Basketball, & Baseball – Outstanding all-around athlete and leader, White Block Award recipient, Gold Cup Award winner. Baseball: Team Captain, All League Sophomore & Senior years, All East Bay Senior Year. Played on the 1975-76 PHHS DVAL Champions and 1976 North Coast Championship Baseball teams. Basketball: Junior & Senior Year, Point Guard, 2nd Team in DVAL his Junior Year, Team Captain. Led DVAL in assists. Football: Senior Year - MVP, 1st team All-DVAL defensive Backfield, 2nd team offensive team. Played centerfield on the 1977 Diablo Valley College State Championship team, which was inducted into the DVC Inaugural Hall of Fame in 2006. Voted on to the DVC All Half Century Baseball Team…played two year in the New Your Mets minor-league system in 1981-1982. Hit .282 with 11 home runs, 61 RBI’s, and 21 stole bases.

Bob Clark – Class of 1976

Baseball - 1973-76: Played varsity all 4 years, Three times selected 1st Team all DVAL Pitcher (Sophomore, junior, senior years), Team MVP Junior & Senior Years, 1975-76. Member of the 1975 & 1976 DVAL Championship team. Overall High School Record of 33-6. All East Bay for two years, played on the Baseball team that was the North Coast Champions in 1976. Selected as All East Bay Player of the Year in 1976. Selected to the All-Tournament North Coast Section Team. Selected to the All-Northern California All-Star Team. Received Baseball scholarship to Arizona State.

Selected in the 8th round of the 1976 Major League Baseball Draft by the Chicago Cubs. Played for Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros from 1976-1980. Overall minor league record of 19-6 with 21 saves. Two time all star as a minor leaguer. Member of the Venezuelan National Team and played in the Caribbean World Series in Mazatlán, Mexico in 1978.

Cathy Costanza – Class of 1980

Basketball, Volleyball, Track & Softball – Lettered all four years in Basketball: All DVAL 1st Team both Junior and Senior years, Selected Most Valuable Player on Basketball Team, selected First Team All Northern California, and Basketball team was League Champions. Track & Cross Country – ran 400 and ran on both mile relay and 400-meter relay teams. Volleyball – 2nd Team All League and Team was League Champions and awarded Most Improved Player on team. Softball – made varsity Senior year. Received the White Block Award and earned FLECTO Athlete of the Week and CC Times Athlete of the Week Award. Played Basketball at Sacramento State University.