Idaho Athletic Hall of Fame opening doors

The Idaho Athletic Hall of Fame will open its doors to two former Vandals greats, a coach who helped Dan O’Brien win a gold medal and a pioneer of girls’ sports programs in Kellogg.

The newest members of the Hall are ex-Vandals football standout Dick Litzinger, former UI basketball star Phil Hopson, ex-Idaho track coach Mike Keller and Mary Jean Hinkemeyer, who started the GAA (Girls Athletic Association) program in Kellogg in 1962. They will be inducted into the Hall at the Idaho Sports Banquet, which honors top teams, athletes and coaches, on April 14 at the Coeur d’Alene Inn.

Litzinger, a Santa Ana, Calif., native, was at Idaho from 1963-65 where he became a co-captain. He went on to join Calgary in the CFL but played in only six games before suffering a knee injury. Litzinger came to UI from Santa Ana College. He was a J.C. All-American in 1962.

After retiring from football, Litzinger coached and taught at Mater Dei, his alma mater, and in Spokane. He currently lives in Ladera Ranch, Calif., and works in the insurance business.

Hopson, a Portland native, was a primary contributor on Don Monson-coached Vandals teams that won 25, 27 and 20 games in the early 1980s and went to the NCAA tournament in the 1980-81 and 1981-82 seasons. Hopson ranks on numerous career top 10 lists – No. 4 in games played (115), No. 7 in points (1,226), No. 4 in field goals (515), No. 4 in field-goal percentage (56.6), No. 4 in rebounds (733), No. 3 in steals (127) and No. 5 in blocked shots (69).

Hopson was named second-team All-Big Sky three straight years. He played professionally in South America, Australia and Argentina. Hopson works for Self Enhancement, an inner-city youth program in Portland. His son, Mac, is a sophomore guard at Washington State.

Keller’s 25-year tenure as track and field coach at Idaho is the longest coaching tenure in school history. Keller’s track teams won eight Big West, Big Sky or Mountain Pacific Sports Federation titles. Idaho had never won a conference track championship before Keller’s arrival. Keller joined Rick Sloan as co-coaches for O’Brien, who won World and Olympic titles.

Keller, who also coached track and cross country at Spokane Falls Community College from 1968-73, boxed and participated in track at Washington State University. He is a North Central High graduate.

Hinkemeyer, a graduate of Mullan High, helped institute girls’ sports programs in Kellogg and then devoted more than 30 years to teaching and coaching. She coached the Kellogg High track team from 1972-88 and led the Wildcats to the 1985 A-2 state title. She also coached the Wildcats’ volleyball team from 1973-88.

In 1985, Hinkemeyer was named Idaho track coach of the year and Kellogg High teacher of the year. The Kellogg resident received a distinguished service award for District I from the Idaho High School Activities Association in 1993.