The Bakersfield College Renegades Athletics Hall of Fame, sponsored by the Southern California Orthopedic Institute (SCOI) https://www.scoi.com, unveils its second class of inductees.
A combination of seven former athletes, coaches, and administrators from the nearly 100-years history of BC's athletics were selected for enshrinement by an 11-person committee of community members.
The list of inductees includes Dr. Romain Clerou, Duane Damron, Stan Greene, Brandon Kurtz, Octavio Martinez, Jeremy Staat, and Sandi Taylor. Bruce Burnett and Aisha Harrison-Maston were a part of last year's inaugural class but could not be in attendance so they will be honored at this year's ceremony.
Dr. Romain Clerou (Team Physician/Benefactor) was a former lineman for Bakersfield College, Romain Clerou combined his medical profession as a general practitioner with a lifelong romance with sports. The result was his perennial role as a familiar team doctor on the sidelines at Bakersfield College Renegades. As "twelfth man" for the 'Gades, his contributions were so highly regarded that when a new facility was built several years ago, it was named Romain Clerou Fieldhouse.
Duane Damron (Assistant Football Coach) was on the staff of four head coaches, Ray Newman, Gerry Collis, Carl Bowser, and Dall Grider. He spent 35 years as an assistant football coach at BC, working with the offensive line. Played football at UC Davis and was an All-Far West Conference pick 1955-1956.
Stan Greene (Football Player) was a starting quarterback for BC's 1988 National Championship Team. He ranks second all-time in career passing yards (3,450) and fourth all-time in career touchdown passes (32). Passed for 1,974 yards with 21 touchdowns and 6 interceptions in leading BC to a national championship in 1988.
Brandon Kurtz (Basketball Player) was arguably the greatest men's basketball player in BC history. The 6-foot-10 standout center led the Renegades to the 1998 CCCAA State Championship game. He averaged 19 points, 11 rebounds, and shot nearly 60-percent from the field his sophomore year at BC. Also had 24 double-doubles that season. He went on to play at Tulsa for Bill Self, where he started 62 games and averaged 11.5 points per game in two seasons. With Kurtz's help, Golden Hurricanes made NCAA tournament in 1999 and 2000. Played 12 years of professional basketball. He was inducted into the California Community College Men's Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2018.
Octavio Martinez (Baseball player) was an All-American catcher for BC in 1999, Martinez was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 10th round of the 1999 MLB Draft. He played 13 years in the minors, reaching as high as AAA. He currently serves as the bullpen catcher for the Washington Nationals.
Jeremy Staat (Football Player/Track & Field Athlete) was a two-sport standout at BC 1994-1996. Staat was a three-time state champion discus and shot-put thrower for the Renegades, while also learning Western State Conference MVP accolades and setting school records in both. He lent his prowess to the football team as well, helping Bakersfield to a 20-2 record and two Potato Bowl championships over his two-year career, while adding all-conference recognition both seasons. Staat was selected as Bakersfield College's Freshman Athlete of the Year in 1995 and, subsequently, was the Most Outstanding Sophomore Athlete a year later. After a standout football career at Arizona State, Staat was a second-round NFL Draft Pick in 1998 by the Pittsburgh Steelers, beginning a professional tenure that lasted until his retirement in 2003.He then joined the Armed Forces. Staat served a tour in Iraq before returning to finish his education and begin the Jeremy Staat Foundation.
Sandi Taylor (Softball Coach/Athletic Director) was head coach of the BC softball team from 1991-2013. She posted a career record of 500-441-3. She then served as BC's athletics director from 2013-2020. Was the school's associate athletics director for the 15 years before that. During her tenure as head softball coach, BC made the postseason 15 of 23 years and won league titles in 1997, 1998 and 2005. Western State Conference and Southern California Coach of the Year in 1997 and 2005. A four-sport athlete at Tulare Western High School, Taylor played college softball at Fresno St., helping the Bulldogs finish second place in the NCAA College World Series in 1982. Helped start the BC women's golf program. Taught physical education at BC. Recently inducted in the CCCAA Hall of Fame class of 2020.
The Inaugural Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place on October 20, 2022. Ticket information will become available in August.
For more information regarding the Hall Fame sponsorships or BC Athletics visit gogades.com