CWU hall of fame set to induct six

ELLENSBURG, Wash. — Six athletes — two with local ties — and one team will be inducted into Central Washington’s athletic hall of fame.

West Valley’s James Atterberry and Prosser’s Mike Huard, both of whom excelled in football for the Wildcats, will be enshrined on April 21 in Nicholson Pavilion.

Huard played fullback and tight end for coach Tom Parry from 1968-71, earning all-Evergreen Conference, all-district and NAIA West Coast honorable mention honors as a senior.

He later embarked on a 26-year football coaching career, including 17 years at Puyallup High School during which his Vikings won the 1987 state championship. Huard also coached three sons at Puyallup, quarterbacks Damon, Brock and Luke.

Damon and Brock both went on to stardom at Washington and later played in the NFL before starting careers in broadcasting. Luke went to North Carolina and is presently the offensive coordinator at Illinois State.

Atterberry caught 151 passes for 2,379 yards from 1990-93 for coach Mike Dunbar. His receiving and yardage totals rank seventh and fourth, respectively, on CWU’s career lists.

Atterberry was a four-year starter and three-time Columbia Football Association all-star who also ranks sixth in career 100-yard receiving games (six), ninth in yards per reception (15.75) and sixth in single-season yards per reception (19.11).

Also to be inducted are Mark Brown, a track and field standout in 1978-79; Rob Hippi, baseball pitcher from 1968-70; Robin McAlpine, wrestling (1981-84); Dr. Jean Putnam, field hockey player and coach from 1968-80; and the 1988 baseball team that was Central’s last such squad to qualify for the NAIA World Series.

Also, current hall of famers Dave Heaverlo and Bill North, both baseball standouts, will have their jerseys retired.

Ceremonies will include with a social hour starting at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner and the program at 6. The event is open to the public and admission costs $35.

Tickets can be obtained by phoning Kim Thomas at 509-963-2762, and are also available at mycentral.cwu.edu/hof.