North state's top-tier athletes recognized

They rose from the local ranks of high school stardom to reach the top pinnacles of their respective sports, defying the odds to "go to the show."

The Northern California Sports Association celebrates its 40th annual Hall of Fame ceremony with a lineup of 12 athletes who reached the top of their professional ranks.

To qualify, each athlete must be at least 50 years old.

This year's honorees are:

• Mike Hancock (NFL)

• Pat McGowan (PGA)

• Doug Mayberry (NFL)

• Bob Grim (NFL)

• Ken O'Brien (NFL)

• Rolf Benirschke (NFL)

• Hal Anton (NFL)

• Rod Curl (PGA)

• Harry Dunlop (MLB)

• Craig Penrose (NFL)

• Stan Swanson (MLB)

• Aaron Thomas (NFL)

The dinner is being held at St. Isidore's Church multi-purpose room, 200 Clark Ave. in Yuba City. A reception begins at 4:40, dinner is at 6 p.m., and the program begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person with a tri-tip or chicken dinner being served.

All donations are directed to the Scholarship Fund at Yuba College. Dinner costs cover the operating expenses.

To order tickets call Joel Guthrie 743-2089, or John Rice 916-296-1501.

Mike Hancock

Hancock attended Williams High from 1964-68, and was a standout on the football and basketball teams, where he played all four years.

Hancock was named all-league in both sports in 1967 and '68, and was basketball MVP in '68.

After playing football for Yuba College and Idaho State University, he played as a tight end from 1973-75 under legendary coach George Allen for the Washington Redskins.

As a pro, Hancock put on several summer clinics for high school football players and was a frequent speaker on "attitude in athletics."

Pat McGowan

McGowan was a four-year letterman at Colusa High from 1969-73 in football, basketball and golf.

He was all-league his junior and senior years in both football and basketball, and all four years in golf.

At Brigham Young University, McGowan was a second-team All-American in golf his senior year.

After qualifying for the PGA tour at Pinehurst, where he met his wife, Bonnie, McGowan was named PGA Rookie of the Year in 1978, when he finished second in the Canadian Open.

In 1982, he led starting the last round at the Quad Cities Open; finished foruth in the tournament at the Riviera in 1983; and in 1989 was elected to a four-member PGA policy board, beating Tom Watson on a tie-breaking vote.

He is the director of instruction at Pine Needles in North Carolina.

Doug Mayberry

Mayberry was a four-sport letterman at Colusa High from 1951-55 in football, basketball, baseball and track, also earning all-league status in all four.

After a collegiate career that included Cal, Yuba College and Utah State University, he played in the NFL as a fullback for the Minnesota Vikings in 1961-62, and for the Oakland Raiders in 1963.

Bob Grim

Grim was an all-league selection in football, basketball and track while at Red Bluff High from 1959-63.

He played football all four years and basketball for two at Oregon State University, before being the first pick in the second round in the NFL draft and beginning his pro career with the Minnesota Vikings, where he played from 1967-71, and again from 1976-77. He also played for the New York Giants from 1972-74, and was with the Chicago Bears for the 1975 season.

He played in Super Bowls IV and XI.

Currently residing in Bend, Ore., Grim's community involvement includes serving on the boards of the Oregon Youth Conservation Corp, OSU Foundation and the High Desert Museum, as well as chairing the Central Oregon Boys & Girls Clubs.