Modesto Junior College announces Hall of Fame Class
The Modesto Junior College Athletics Hall of Fame Executive Committee has announced the 2020 class of inductees. This new class will join the ranks of MJC legends such as NFL Hall of Famer Gino Marchetti, Olympic gold medalists Cy Young and Wilbur “Moose” Thompson, Wimbledon Champion Alex Olmedo, NFL head coach/player Paul Wiggin, All-American Dot Jones and Major Leaguer Ray Lankford. The walls of the MJC Gym lobby include an additional 178 hall of famers who represent MJC’s rich athletics history dating back to the 1920’s.
The Hall of Fame inductees:
Bo Aiello (Baseball Coach): Head baseball coach at MJC for 28 seasons from 1982-2008 and 2012-2014; Accumulated a record of 666-481; recognized by the California Community College Baseball Coaches Association with induction into the CCBCA Hall of Fame in 2016; received scholarship to play baseball at the University of Oregon.
Marcus Allen (Football): In 2008, achieved the status of JC Gridiron All American, Conference MVP, Conference Offensive Player of the Year and All Conference wide receiver for the Pirates; MJC’s all-time leader with 99 receptions, 1,986 receiving yards and 27 TD’s; transferred to New Mexico State and played wide receiver and returned kickoffs.
Brandon Bear (Wrestling): Two-time MVP for the MJC Pirate wrestling team; in 2000, finished 5th in the State and in 2001 finished 2nd in the State with a 30-5 record; transferred to UC Davis achieving 3rd place honors in 2002 and 2003 wrestling in the Pac 12 Conference, as well as being a Division 1 qualifier; two-time All-Army Champion.
Bobby Boswell (Contributor): MJC’s head athletic trainer for 38 years; numerous accomplishments including Athletic trainer at 1984 Summer Olympics with Greco Roman and Freestyle Wrestling, worked for the Oakland A’s for 13 Spring Trainings, worked at 7 Olympic and World Trials events; named Community College Athletic Trainer of the Year for the National Athletic Trainers Association in 2014; and inducted into the California Community College Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame in 2016.
Bobby Cole (Basketball): All-League and Pirate MVP during the 1967-1968 year; finished #6 in state with 24.6 points per game and over 10 rebounds per game; played at Stanislaus State and held assistant coach position there on team that advanced to the Final Four; founder and director of the Valley Basketball Association/Modesto Slam-N-Jam non-profit AAU organization for youth basketball; long time coach for many area high schools; 1996 Sportsman of Stanislaus (SOS) Jay Pattee Award winner.
Allison (Gibson) Mitchell (Diving): MJC student athlete 1995-97; won State championship and set MJC records for both the 1m and 3m boards in diving; played on traveling team “All Valley Divers”; member of the Sacramento State women’s crew team.
Brant Gilbert (Track & Field): 2005 State champion in the 200 meters; transferred to Abilene Christian University in 2006; member of the 4x100 relay team at Abilene Christian that won the national championship; in 2007 qualified and ran at the USA Track and Field Championships in the 100 meters; coached sprints and jumps at Metro State.
Bryan Haile (Swimming/Water Polo): State champion in the 100m and 200m breaststroke in 2005 and 2006; held the MJC school record for 8 years; transferred to Cal Baptist in 2006 and served as team captain; finished 3rd in the breaststroke at the 2012 Speedo Championships and participated in the 2012 Olympic Trials.
Ron Martella (Contributor): Title sponsor of the annual MJC Basketball Tournament (Grower Direct Nut Company) since 2013, continuing at least through the 2023 tournament (86th annual); the MJC’s men’s tournament is one of the longest standing tournaments in the United States; played basketball for MJC 1962-64 and also played on the Pirates Tennis teams; member of the Senior Softball Hall of Fame.
Ron McGuire (Contributor): MJC’s men’s athletic equipment technician for 28 years from 1991-2019; during this time frame, only missed 2 football games; MJC athletics volunteer for 17 years from 1974-91; associated with over 1,000 Pirate athletic contests; known as “Reno” to staff, was an MJC athletics fixture.
Vanessa Stanfield (Soccer): In 2006 earned 1st-team All-American as well as the League Offensive MVP; in 2007 received 2nd team All-American honors and was named the Sportsmen of Stanislaus (SOS) woman Athlete of the Year; broke current Hall of Famer Kate Cooke’s record for goals scored during two seasons, in which she scored 67.
Joseph Turner (Track & Field): 2007 State champion in the 400 meters; named Nor-Cal Runner of the Year in 2006; Juco All-American who qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trails in the 200 meters; transferred to the University of Washington and was a member of the 2008 4x100m relay team that won the Pac-10 Championship in 39.52; in 2009 qualified for a second-straight NCAA Championship in the 4x100m relay.
Tom Van Groningen (Contributor): Chancellor of the Yosemite Community College District for 18 years from 1974-92; long-time supporter of the MJC athletics program; played football at Fresno State from 1950-52; contributed over 35 years of service as a board director at Modesto Irrigation District, Memorial Hospital, Modesto Chamber of Commerce, Community Hospice and other local agencies.
Jesse Vazquez (Wrestling): State champion in 2002 for MJC wrestling; in 2001 was 1st in regionals and 3rd in the state with a 31-12 record; transferred to Menlo College where he was a member of the national runner-up Menlo team; awarded All-America status and reached 3rd in the Regionals – National Qualifier; captain of the Menlo team in 2005-06 and current MJC head wrestling coach since 2010.
Patricia Wallace (Contributor): 42 year career at MJC, 29 years with PE and Athletics as the Administrative Secretary; provided support to the organizing committees of the MJC Annual Men’s Basketball Tournament, Graffiti Bowl and the MJC Athletic Hall of Fame; received MJC Woman of Distinction Award, Shining Star Award and Purdy Award for Excellence in Education.
Sam Young (Football Coach): Winningest head football coach in MJC’s 96 year history with a record of 93-67; also coached track and field at MJC; of his 24 years at MJC, 15 years were as football head coach; prior to coming to MJC, was an assistant coach at UC Davis from 1975-90; won back-to-back Golden Gate Conference titles in 2007 and 2008 and advanced to 8 postseason bowl games.
The MJC Athletics Hall of Fame began in 1990. Longtime Hall of Fame executive committee member Jack Albiani passed away earlier this year, but was able to participate in this 11th class selection. The MJC Athletics Hall of Fame Awards Ceremony (held every 5 years) will be at the MJC Gymnasium on May 7, with additional opportunities to acknowledge some of the recipients at the following upcoming events: MJC Football Homecoming (October 19) and the 82nd Annual MJC Basketball Tourney (December 12-14) leading up to next May.
Tickets and event information will be available in 2020. For anyone wanting to be on the MJC Hall of Fame mailing list and directly receive MJC Hall of Fame information when it becomes available, please contact the MJC Athletics Department at (209) 575-6269.