NWAACC Hall class boasts many Spokane connections

Eight individuals or teams with Spokane ties make up two-thirds of the Class of 2006 for the 18th Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges Hall of Fame induction.

Ceremonies will be June 1, starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Pasco Red Lion Inn.

Heading the list of seven honorees from Community Colleges of Spokane is Maury Ray, athletic director and dean of physical education for 31 years, and recently retired volleyball coach Irene Matlock, who had a career record of 715-246 and won four conference championships in 19 years.

Also to be recognized from CCS are Cor van der Meer, who started both the men’s and women’s soccer programs at the school and won three league titles; former gymnastics coach Rick Harrison, a four-time national coach of the year and fixture at CCS since 1976; and Heidi Simmons, a two-time conference all-star and region MVP in soccer in 1997 after leading CCS to back-to-back appearances in the NWAACC tournament.

Also honored will be the 1974 Spokane men’s tennis team, which capped a 17-3 season with the NWAACC title and singles and doubles champions, and the 1988 volleyball team that went 54-2 and won the conference title.

The eighth with a Spokane tie is longtime former Wenatchee Valley athletic director, football coach and baseball coach Sandy Cooprider, a graduate of North Central High School.

Also slated for induction are three from Yakima Valley – Ralph Bishop, basketball player; Herman “Bif” Hopf, considered the “father” of YVC athletics; and Jerry Ward, former athletic director and coach – and the 1995 Columbia Basin volleyball team.