I recently saw that your organization was honoring Coach Clyde Forrest. Though words may fail to capture the depth of his impact, I felt compelled to reach out upon hearing of his induction into your organization's Hall of Fame.
I had the privilege of being under Coach Forrest's guidance as a member of the 1983 College Park high School Varsity Wrestling team. Stepping into that preseason workout room for the first time, I was met with the unmistakable scent of industrial cleaner, a fragrance forever tied to Coach's memory. He was a man forged by hard work, integrity, and honor, qualities he imparted to us daily in both the metal shop and the wrestling room.
I may not have been the star wrestler, lacking in raw talent and potential, but Coach Forrest saw something in me. He taught me the value of perseverance, the importance of believing in my abilities, and above all, how to lead. Those post-workout runs are etched into my memory - Coach never missed one, never took shortcuts, and always led by example. Even now, as I approach my 60s, I marvel at his ability to keep pace with a group of high school athletes during "Happy Hour".
Coach Forrest's influence extended far beyond the wrestling mat. He instilled in me an "old school" work ethic that I've carried with me throughout my life. He was not just a coach but a teacher and mentor, shaping not only our athletic skills but also our characters.
I am grateful for the opportunity to witness your organization honor this remarkable man. Through your organization, and this recognition, Coach Forrest's legacy will continue to inspire generations to come, reminding us of the power of hard work, integrity, and leadership.
Best regards,
Mat Andresen
CPHS class of 1983
Testimonial from Jack “Scooter” Warren
When I heard that Pleasant Hill High School was creating an Athletic Hall of Fame and that one of the first teams to be honored was the 1967/68 football team, my first thought was ‘finally’! I never attended PHHS; I spent four years at Ygnacio Valley High School. However, my connection to PHHS couldn’t be stronger for a number of reasons.
I would like to share those reasons here. Let’s start with the year 1958. My dad, Jack Warren, was a young, successful football and track coach in a tiny farming community in rural northeastern Colorado – Julesburg. My dad had graduated a few years earlier from the University of Colorado where he was the starting third basemen on the baseball team. It so happens that one of my dad’s best friends at Colorado was a football player by the name of Hal ‘Red’ Briggs. In 1958, Coach Briggs called my dad and told him he had an opening on this staff in Pleasant Hill, CA. It paid more money than Julesburg so the Warrens (Mom, Dad, and four kids) were off to California. Dad taught and coached at Pleasant Hill for 22 years until it closed in 1980.
All through elementary school and junior high, I would attend Ram games with my dad. I was a huge Ram fan and all my parents’ friends were fellow teachers and coaches at PHHS. It became a tradition for us to spend Thanksgiving with the Briggs. Some of my earliest memories were spending time with the Timms, Poulins, Lockyers and, of course, Tom Webb. I loved Tom. My dad taught me (or tried to teach me) how to follow the rules and to be the best person possible. Tom Webb, on the other hand, let me know it was okay to stretch the rules and ignore them altogether at times.
We moved from the College Park area at the time I was going into my freshman year of high school at Ygnacio Valley. I actually played against my dad’s teams during my 9th and 10th grade years … and yes, we lost both games. Most of the guys that were on those teams are now being inducted into your Hall of Fame … and were considered the best high school football team for the decade of the sixties in the DVAL.
I also want to add that during the summers of 5th – 8 th grade, my favorite thing in life was playing Little League baseball in the Pleasant Hill Baseball Association. My first year I was a teammate of Trent Osmer and his dad was our coach. I also played one summer with Rick Hansen who would become one of my closest friends at 10 years of age and he still holds that distinction today – some 60 years later.
One of my darkest moments in high school was when I came home from a Friday night victory for Ygnacio and my parents had just received a call from Red Briggs to let us know that Rick Hansen had broken his neck in a game earlier that evening. Red was aware of the close friendship between Rick and myself. I immediately drove up to John Muir Hospital but, of course, I wasn’t allowed into his room. In my mind, there are a lot of reasons to love Red Briggs – but for him to not allow anyone to remove Rick’s helmet on the field that night … likely saved Rick from a lifetime of paralysis.
A final remembrance – twenty years ago my dad was moving toward the end of his life. He was 85 and had lived a great life. He was surrounded by my mom, my brother and sister and myself at Mt. Diablo Hospital. The last non-family member to visit him just before he passed was Roger Leonard, who is being inducted into the Hall of Fame at this time. I do him a disservice to call him “non-family”; he was an important member of the PHHS family!
So Pleasant Hill High School was more than a rival school to me – it had a profound impact on my life. I am thrilled that you guys are celebrating and recognizing many of the special people and teams that made Pleasant Hill High School what it was! Enjoy!
Jack Scooter Warren
YVHS Class of 1969
Tribute to Roger Foulk
Dear PHHS,
I'm so thrilled that this event has been established and being held. My father, Roger Foulk, has always been my Legend, Hero, Inspiration and Example. His athletic ability was one of the reasons I was in Varsity Sports in High School; in Track, Basketball, and Volleyball. I was also a cheerleader, and because of my dad, was the only Cheer that knew all about sports, scores, and strategy. I always wanted him to be proud because he made me proud to be his daughter. In track I ran the Hurdles, threw Shot Put and Discus, and my daughter followed me and her grandpa in the same sport, so it became generational. He was also a Leader in our community and church; his actions lead me to be a run and hold student body offices. He has been a Pillar to me.
I wish I could write an epistle to all my father’s accomplishments and posterity, tho it would be vast. As you see I am one of his biggest fans and I am delighted to be able to attend this tribute event and highlight my father who is deserving.
Thank you!
Michelle (Shelly) Foulk
