The Class of 1996: ATHLETES

DAN HALL (1972-76)

Dan Hall lettered four years each in cross- country and track and field at Willamette. He is regarded as the most accomplished male distance runner in Bearcat history. Hall still holds school records in the 8,000- meter (24:02.7) and 4-mile (19:29.0) cross- country runs, and the 5,000- meter run (14:10.9) on the track. His senior year was to remember: he finished third in the NAIA cross country championships and was runner-up in the 1976 NAIA track and field meet in the 5,000 meters. In both races, he was the first American finisher and was named to the respective All-American teams. In four seasons in cross-country and track and field, Hall won six Northwest Conference and four District II titles.

DOUG HOLDEN (1968-1972)

Doug Holden lettered four years in basketball and led Willamette to the NAIA national championship tournament in 1972. He was a prolific scorer, leading the Northwest Conference in scoring as a junior and senior and topping the Bearcats in that category three straight seasons (1969-1970, 1970-1971 and 1971-1972). Holden was a three-time Conference all-star and was named to the first team in 1971 and 1972. He was selected to the NAIA All-American honorable mention list following his senior season, during which he led the Bearcats to a 23-6 record. Holden’s career scoring record stood for 19 years, and as of his induction, he ranks No. 2 in school history in career (1,897 points) and single season scoring (650 points, 1971-1972).

BILL LONG (1956-1959)

Bill Long enjoyed a stellar three-year career in football at Willamette, winning all- Northwest Conference honors each year and capped by an invitation to play in the 1959 All-American Bowl. The Bearcats’ record improved each year with Long at center, including an 8-1 mark his senior season in 1958. Long was named to the Little- All-American first-team as a senior, and was a second-team pick as a junior. Long’s service to WU includes serving as a trustee and providing major financial support, including a gift that enabled Willamette to construct Ogdahl field and renovate McCulloch Stadium in 1993.

KARA CRISIFULLI SCOTT (1982-1986)

Kara Crisifulli lettered four years each in cross- country and track and field at Willamette. She is regarded as the most accomplished female distance runner in Bearcat history. Crisifulli still holds the 5,000 and 4,000-meter cross country school records, and the 1,500, 3,00, 5,000 and 10,000 records on the track. In cross- country, she was a two-time Northwest Conference champion (1984, 1985) and ran four years at nationals, placing fifth as a junior and third as a senior. She was a three-time All-American in the sport. In track and field, Crisifulli was a three-time NCIC champion in the 5,000-meters and in 1986 District II champion in the 5,000. Twice she placed in the national meet in the 5,000, garnering All-American honors by finishing fifth in the 1984 NAIA championships and sixth in the 1985 NCAA Division III meet.

DAVID WONG (1977-1980, 1985-1986)

David Wong lettered four years in football and three in baseball at Willamette. He was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in 198 and played five minor league seasons, twice being named to all-star teams. Wong returned to the Pacific Northwest and graduated from Willamette in 1986. Before being drafted, Wong had three stellar collegiate seasons in football and baseball. In football, he was a two time, first-team all-Northwest Conference and NAIA District II defensive end. In 1979, he was the District Player of the Year and first-team NAIA All-American pick. In baseball, Wong was a first-team all-Conference and all-District pitcher three times, winning 19 games and posting a 2.42 ERA during that span. Wong has been Willamette’s head baseball coach since 1991, with four of his six teams qualifying for post- season tournaments.

The Class of 1996: MERITORIOUS SERVICE

TOM WARREN (1947-1949)

Tom Warren has been a devoted supporter of Willamette athletics since 1966, when he became a timer for Bearcat football and basketball games, and officiated track and field meets. He worked for the Salem-Keizer School District for 28 years as a teacher and administrator, retiring in 1982. Warren has been a member of the Salem Sports and Breakfast Club and Cardinal Round Table-Willamette’s athletic booster club- since 1983. He is active in many other university pursuits, including serving on the Alumni Association board of directors, and homecoming committees. Before coming to Willamette, Warren was a staff sergeant for the United States Air Force, flying 29 missions over enemy-held territory from 1943-45. He started two years on the Bearcats basketball team, played on the baseball team as a junior, and was a member of the tennis team as a senior.

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