Burroughs Inducts 2012 Athletic Hall of Fame Honorees

By Dick Dornan
BurbankNBeyond Sports Editor

John Burroughs High School held their annual athletic “Hall of Fame” ceremony recently in the school’s gymnasium. This years “Hall of Fame” recipients included All-American Brady Riggs, Jayleen Romberger-Budwig, Ron Stillwell and Coach Bill Flora’s 1955 CIF runner-up basketball team.

A video of the ceremony is now available to view at the bottom of this article.

Athletic Director Marty Garrison honored the newest members and their families in a special ceremony prior to the football game between the Indians and North Hollywood.

Brady Riggs was presented his HOF plaque by former JBHS athletic director and golf coach, Brian Hurst.

Jayleen Romberger-Budwig was presented her HOF plaque by former JBHS physical education coach, Terry Scott.

Ron Stillwell was unable to be at the induction but was represented by good friend and teammate, Pete Hillman.

Jack Flora, son of Coach Bill Flora, honored his late dad and the 1955 basketball team with a heartwarming speech.

Members of the 1955 squad, the program’s first league championship team and the school’s first CIF championship finalist, included King Archer, Terry Arnold, Bill Bloom, John Casprowitz, Tom Crawford, Burton Dole, Steve Foster, Mickey Foster, Nick Georgino, Jack Marshall, Brian Marshall, Roger Morris, Gordon Muhethaler, Jerry Persinger, Don Pulford, Tom Shollin and Tom Waterman.

 Here is a brief summary of the newest JBHS athletic Hall of Fame members:

Brady Riggs (GOLF)
1986

Brady Riggs – Coached by Brian Hurst, Brady led his team in scoring average all 4 years. This is the only time in JBHS golf history this has been done. Brandy was All League the last 3 years, once a runner – up finisher for the Foothill League Individual title and Foothill League Individual Champion in 1985. In 1985 he advanced to the finals of the CIF and received All American status.

After High School he was ranked in the top 20 players in the country and received a scholarship to San Jose University. Brady Riggs is now recognized by Golf Magazine as one of America’s Top 100 Teachers. He is Class A PGA Professional and the Director of Instruction at Woodley Lakes GC in Van Nuys.

One of Brady’s students, Danielle Kang, became the first woman to win back-to-back United States Amateur Championships in 2010-2011 and was ranked #1 in the world before joining the LPGA.

As a Lifelong Burbank Resident, he dedicates his time to Burbank’s youth on a daily basis as a  volunteer and a Coach. He has served on the Board of the Burbank AYSO for the past five years and coaches multiple teams in other sports throughout the year.

Jayleen Romberger-Budwig (TRACK)
1982

Jayleen Romberger-Budwig played basketball and participated in track and field. When she was in high school she dreamed of going to a college and playing basketball. She attended Glendale Community College and played basketball and participated in track. She still holds the school discus record for GCC. She received an athletic scholarship to attend Fresno State.

After graduation Jayleen started her coaching career. She started coaching at Clovis High school and eventually landed a job with Fowler High School in 1988. She had been the Head Coach since 1995. Through her administration as Head Coach, Fowler High has won 15 league Championships and 4 small schools Valley Championships.

She also has taken athletes to the State Track and Field Championships 10 years straight and was named “Track and Field Coach of the year” Her track  teams have finished in the CIF: 10th in 88, 5th in 89, 4th in 90, 2nd in 95, 4th in 96, and 5th in 97.  Her teams also have finished 4th in the state in 95, and 7th in 96. She also has coached 3 State champions and 5 All-Americans.

Ron Stillwell (BASEBALL)

JBHS-ASB President-1957

Played Basketball and Baseball for JBHS and graduated “cum laude,” earning a full Academic Scholarship to USC. After coming in second at the College World Series in 1960, he was able to return the next year to win it all. Ron was the captain of the best team in college baseball. He was awarded student/athlete at USC.

Following their College World Championship, Ron signed a bonus contract with the Washington senators. He played two years and a serious on field accident led to a premature retirement. In 1977 he was selected as the head baseball coach of the USA College all Stars against Japan. This led Ron into teaching. He Coached 32 years for Thousand Oaks High School. He was just inducted into the Ventura Sports Hall of Fame in June, 2011.

1955 Basketball Team

The 1955 Indian basketball squad has done more than any other single team in the history of the school. They not only were league champions, but also came out the second top team in Southern California. Four of their members, Bloom, Crawford, Archer and Muhelthaler, were placed on the All-Foothill league team. The Team was coached by the “Hall of Fame” Coach Bill Flora.

King Archer – Sports occupy the greatest part of Kings time. Team play, he says, is more important than individual achievement. King played baseball, football, and basketball at JBHS. Archer’s highest single game in basketball was a healthy 24, against Pasadena. At 6’3”, King tops the squad. Inaddition to his outstanding cage work King lettered at left end for the ’54 football team. Says Archer about coach Bill Flora, “We’ve got a good coach – a great coach.”

Terry Arnold – Played Basketball and Baseball at Champman College on a Scholarship. Terry worked over 25 years as a Private Investigator. He and his wife Rosie, will celebrate their 54th anniversary this year. They have a daughter and sons.

Bill Bloom – Played basketball at USC. A retired community College Basketball Coach and Athletic Director. Bloom, who has been heralded as the greatest athletic in the history of Burroughs High School. During his senior year he was All Tournament in both the Burbank open and Fillmore invitational. He was unanimous All League in Football and Basketball. He was also voted MVP of the Foothill League Basketball.  In addition, he was 1st Team All CIF and was runner up in voting for CIF Player of The Year.

Tom Crawford – Burroughs basketball squad captain ranks high among the great athletes of John Burroughs. In his senior year at JBHS Tom finished the basketball season with a total of 77 points and a 7.7 average. Coach Bill Flora says “ Tom is the greatest defensive player in all high school basketball”  Tom played basketball at Stanford 1956-59. He is a retired attorney who is an accomplished portrait painter who has one of his painting of Jackie Robinson hanging in the Black Baseball players “Hall of Fame in Kansas City.”

Burton Dole – After graduation Burton attended Stanford University on a US Navy scholarship and earned a Bachelor and MBA. He then served as an officer aboard ship for three years in the Pacific Fleet. After the Navy, He began a career in the medical device field. This work entailed in manufacturing and sale of equipment used in the diagnosis and treatment of critically ill patients throught out the world

Nick Georgino – After graduation Nick joined the Navy. While in the Navy, Nick played on the baseball, basketball, and boxing teams. In 1956 Nick won the welterweight championship for SubPac and in 1957 was selected to 1st team sub Pac were they toured San Diego, Mexico City, San Francisco and Hawaii, playing other military teams.

Gordon Muhethaler – 1st team All-Foothill League

Jerry Persinger – All American football player for “USC” 1957-59, Jerry was class president at John Burroughs High School. Besides playing basketball, Jerry was also a All League Football Player.

Don Pulford – The five foot, ten inch set shot artist was an important factor in the Tribe’s late season drive for the pennant. Pulford racked up 31 points during league play and his highest single game output was against Burbank when he dunked 16 markers. Tom Was also a All-League Football player, and pitched for the championship baseball team.

Tom Shollin -1954 1st team All-CIF Baseball- All American Catcher for the 1957-58 USC baseball team. Bonus baby with the Phillies. Now a Executive for Signal Oil Land Development. Married for 55 years to his high school sweetheart Fran Feary.

Tom Waterman, Jack Marshall, Brian Marshall, Roger Morris, Steve Foster, Mickey Foster, and John Casprowitz were also honored as part of the team.