Blue Devil Athletic Hall of Fame names Class of 2013 - Induction Ceremony Saturday at 7:15 p.m.

Blue Devil Athletic Hall of Fame names Class of 2013 - Induction Ceremony Saturday at 7:15 p.m.
Walla Walla High School Athletic Hall of Fame is inducting five new members Saturday, January 12 during the Kennewick basketball game. The ceremony will be held between the girls’ and boys’ double header basketball games at approximately 7:15 p.m.

The Blue Devil Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2013: Eric O’Flaherty - Class of 2003, Phil Reser - Class of 1965, Bill Till - Class of 1952, Randy McDougall - Class of 1968 and Dick Turner - Class of 1952.

“In1992, the men who had played football for Coach Felix Fletcher raised over $200,000 to help build, finish and furnish the Felix Fletcher Team Room and establish the Blue Devil Athletic Hall of Fame in memory of their coach,” said Bill Bieloh, Athletic Hall of Fame Chair. “Since that time, the room and the Hall of Fame have been, and continues to be supported by donations from Wa-Hi alumni.”

These five outstanding Wa-Hi athletes will join the 43 outstanding athletes and citizens who have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. A reception will follow the induction ceremony in the Fletcher Athletic Team Room for the new inductees, former inductees, family, friends and Big Blue Boosters.

Class or 2013 Athletic Hall of Fame

Eric O’Flaherty - Class of 2003: As a senior, Eric was a Big Nine All Conference pitcher and named the leagues’ Player of the Year. He was drafted out of high school by the Seattle Mariners and was the first rookie in major league history to post a sub 1.00 ERA in 70 appearances. He is also the first pitcher in Mariners history to begin his major league career with seven consecutive wins. He is currently pitching for the Atlanta Braves.

Phil Reser - Class of 1965: Phil started 70 consecutive baseball games for the Blue Devils and led the team in hitting, RBI’s and stolen bases. In the summer, he hit .459 for the American Legion team and moved on to the University of Idaho where he earned all Big Sky honors. In 1968 he led the NCAA nationally in doubles, was third in RBI’s and eleventh in hitting with a .408 average. He finished his career at Idaho hitting .416 and was awarded the prestigious Rich Fox Award for the athlete who had the highest four year grade point average. He signed a professional contract with the Chicago Cubs and finished his career with the Triple A Tacoma team in the Pacific Coast League.

Bill Till - Class of 1952: Bill played football, baseball and basketball for the Blue Devils earning eight varsity letters. He was All District in basketball as a senior and was elected captain of his football, baseball and basketball teams. He was named to the All-State High School Football Team and was awarded a football scholarship to the University of Washington. At graduation from Wa-Hi, he was honored with the Brown Trophy which was awarded to the most outstanding athlete in the class. Bill coached football at Pasco High School and in 1962 his team was the league co-champions along with the Wa-Hi Blue Devils. He was also named the league football coach of the year in 1974.

Randy McDougall - Class of 1968: Randy played football, baseball and wrestled for Wa-Hi earning eight varsity letters. He was an All Conference running back in football and twice placed in the district wrestling tournament. He was All Conference in baseball batting .386 as a senior. He received a scholarship to the University of Idaho then transferred to Walla Walla Community College where he was recognized as one of the top five receivers in the nation. He finished his college career at Weber State where he twice earned second team All Conference honors in football and was the Big Sky 177 pound wrestling champion. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos and finished his football career in Canada where he played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders as a defensive back.

Dick Turner - Class of 1952: Dick lettered in football, boxing and track at Wa-Hi, was the student body president and played the lead role in the all school play, “January Thaw”. He was All Conference in track as a junior and senior, and was the track team’s captain as a senior. He won the state track meet with a javelin throw of 189’8" which was the third best throw in the nation by a high school athlete. He was selected as a Scholastic Coach Magazine Track All American. He was the undefeated league and district champion as a 200 pound heavyweight boxer. He was so good that he won many of his bouts by default because coaches of the other teams would not let their boxers get into the ring with him.