Hall of Fame
Athletes, Coaches and Community Heroes
Norman Green was the NCS Mile Champion in 1950. While he broke the NCS mile record, he was also the ACAL Mile Champion (undefeated) and was named All-County in both 1949 and 1950. He was the Track Optimo winner at PHS in 1950. At Cal, he was the 2nd best miler, running a 4:24 mile. Green went on to become a Masters Mile runner as a top distance winner for 50+ age group.
Norman currently resides in West Brandywine, PA.
Ken Rawlings was part of the 1951 ACAL Basketball Championship Team, where he was named All-County at the 1951 Tournament of Champions. Rawlings was an avid supporter of Piedmont High School becoming one of the most active educational and athletic contributors in the Piedmont community.
His support includes the creation of the Lois Blair Rawlings Scholarship Fund, contributions toward teacher professional development, the re-development of the Witter Field Complex, the remodeling of Piedmont High School's William "Binks" Rawlings Gymnasium, sponsorship of men's varsity basketball tournaments, and sponsoring the development of Coaches Field in Piedmont.
Bebe was also instrumental in the founding to the Piedmont Sports Hall of Fame in 2003 and hosted the first several events at his beautiful home in Piedmont.
Vic Nelson was a four sport letterman in football, track, baseball, and basketball. It was in football where he stood out, being named to the All-County and All-Metro Football Teams as a top lineman. While at PHS he won the prestigious Samuel Moyer Award and was President of the Block P Society and a member of RIGMA.
Huber (#68) with the carry
Gordon Huber was a stand-out football player, who was named All-County three times and All-Metro in 1955. He was also awarded the Optimo and earned the Robert "Slugger" Kurkjian Award in 1955. During his PHS tenure, he lettered in Track and Field and was the Student Body President. Huber took his gridiron skills to Berkeley, where he was the starting defensive end on Cal's 1959 Rose Bowl Team and was also named an Academic All-American.
Richard Carlson is acknowledged as one of the top male tennis players in PHS history. In 1977, he played #1 singles at PHS, with the team ranking #7 in the nation. During that same year, Carlson was ranked #1 in Northern California and #15 in the nation. In 1978, he was the NCS Doubles Champion, playing on a PHS team that ranked #5 in the nation. He was also ranked #9 in Northern California and in the top 75 in the nation. In 1979, Carlson played #1 singles at PHS and was ranked #1 in Northern California and #33 in the nation.
He went on to play at San Jose State and authored Don't Sweat the Small Stuff, a NY Times best seller with 26 million copies sold.
Kristina Kliszewski was a three-time All-League volleyball player, a two-time NCS Scholar-Athlete and was named league MVP. As captain of the volleyball team, PHS routinely placed 1st or 2nd in league each year. As a club volleyball player, she went to the Junior Olympics five straight years, and her club team was ranked #7 in the nation her senior year.
Kliszewski was also an outstanding softball player. As co-captain and winner of the top hitter award, she was named all-league in softball and led the team in RBI's, runs, and extra base hits. She continued her volleyball career at Yale University, where she was named All-Ivy League for 2 years and holds season and career records at Yale for digs, kills, and service aces.
Ashley Paris was a star athlete on the 2004 girls basketball team (#1 CA , #7 U.S.) and the 2005 team (#1 CA , #4 U.S.), consecutively winning 2 NCS, 2 Nor-Cal, and 2 State Championships. She was named 4-time CIF All-State from 2002-05. In 2005, she was a McDonald's All-American, and a Nike All-American. She went on to play at Oklahoma University where she is amongst the all-time leaders in rebounding, field goal percentage and wins.
Courtney Paris was a star athlete on the 2004 girls basketball team (#1 CA , #7 U.S.) and the 2005 team (#1 CA , #4 U.S.), consecutively winning 2 NCS, 2 Nor-Cal, and 2 State Championships. She was named 4-time CIF All-State 2002-05 and was a 3 time CIF Player of the Year from 2003-05. In 2005, she was a McDonald's All-American, a Nike All-American and Naismith National Player of the Year for High School. She went on to play at Oklahoma University where she is the all-time leading scorer, rebounder, and shot-blocker. She is the NCAA Career leader in double-doubles, was named a 4-year AP All-American, and was named Big 12 Player of the Year for 3 consecutive years.
Hayden Tollas was a football team captain and a 2-time Optimo Award Winner, who was named All-League Offense and All-League Defense for 2 consecutive years. He was also named All-League as a running back, and earned All-Bay Area as part of the 1995 PHS Football “Team of Destiny". Tollas was also the recipient of the Coach Fox Award for sportsmanship and character. As a multi-sport athlete, Tollas was also a 4-year starter on the PHS Baseball team and participated in the PITS club rugby program.
Hayden continued his athletic career at Princeton University playing light-weight football and rugby for the Tigers.
Team of Destiny - Piedmont Beats O’Dowd
