Hall of Fame
Athletes, Coaches and Community Heroes
Dana was a standout basketball and football player at Piedmont High, who went on to play collegiately for Stanford University. He was a reserve on Stanford's 1942 national championship team, but in the championship game, starting forward Jim Pollard had the flu and was unable to play. Dana started in Pollard's place, played all 40 minutes, and scored 14 points, one point behind high scorer Howie Dallmar.
As a member of both the football & basketball teams while at Piedmont High School, Robert Kurkjian won the Optimo (MVP) for both sports. He was also President of his junior class. As a member of the 1941 ACAL football championship team that was ranked #1 in the country, he was named to the All-League and All-County teams, as well as the All-County basketball team. The Piedmont High School football program annually awards the Kurkjian Award, which is named in honor of Robert. He was killed in 1945 while serving our country in Okinawa Japan. Robert received both the Bronze Star and Silver Star for gallantry in action.
More photos:
Piedmont Football’s Kurkjian Award (click photos to expand).
The Kurkjian family provided this photo of Robert while stationed in Hawaii in 1944.
Leo was a student body president and star basketball player for the Highlanders. He was the Optimo Award winner for Piedmont’s 1937 ACAL Basketball Championship team. Leo later played on the 1942 Stanford team that won the NCAA Championship.
In 1942 Leo enlisted in the Marine Corps and was with the Marines in the pacific from 1944 to 1946 and took part in several campaigns, including Saipan and Okinawa, and then spent tour months in Japan.
Links:
Chicago Tribune - Stanford’s magical title run of 1942
Leo’s Obituary - San Francisco Chronicle 2005
Jim Peters was a successful member of the Piedmont High School football and track teams. He was named to the All-League, All-East Bay and All-Northern California teams as a linebacker in 1965. That particular team was undefeated in the FAL. On the track team, he participated in the shot put and discus events where he currently holds the Piedmont High School record for discus at 189 feet. He was ranked number one in the state of California for his discus throwing success during his senior year. He also won the State Championship meet that year. During his college career, he participated in the track & field team at UCLA.
Jim Peters passed away on December 20, 2022. Read his obituary here.
Unquestionably one of the finest athletes, male or female, in the history of Piedmont High School. She competed in volleyball, soccer, softball, swimming and track. Varsity soccer and softball as a Freshman; MVP and All-League swimmer as a Sophomore; All-League volleyball and softball as a junior; All-League volleyball as senior. Varsity Track as a senior, she set records in the triple jump; 400 meters; 100 hurdles; went to State meet in 300 hurdles and long jump; still holds school records for long jump, 200 meter hurdles, 300 hurdles.
Coach Johnson was one outstanding football and track coach. He was the varsity football coach at Piedmont High School from 1930 to 1949, won many ACAL and FAL championships, and established a 36-0 record during the 1938-1941 seasons. He was also a teacher from 1930 to 1960. In 1942, Brick was awarded the California High School Coach of the Year honor. During his tenure, Piedmont High School was known as a consistent power in northern California.
He also coached the Piedmont High School varsity track team; winning several ACAL and FAL league championships, and helped develop many outstanding track and field athletes. He also established cross-country as a sport in the ACAL and the entire East Bay area. As a physical education instructor, he developed a strong, well-rounded program with minimum facilities, and then installed a boxing program, physical testing program, and a wonderful rainy day program. He held the positions of Department Chairman and Athletic Director.
Johnson was a veteran of both World War I and II, and was a lightweight boxing champion in the U.S. Navy during WW I. Brick lived in Piedmont with his wife and two children and was very active in the community. Helped establish chess in the physical education department. He was also an active kayaker and founded the Bag Pipe Band at Piedmont High School. Brick Johnson's name is synonymous with athletic excellence at Piedmont High School. His leadership skills and compassion make him fondly remembered by all that he touched during his time at PHS.
After transferring to Piedmont Junior High School in 1946, Bob began to show that he was a great athlete in the making. He played all sports really well, but was a great basketball player. He played four years on the Piedmont High School varsity team and was an absolute mainstay during his junior and senior years of 1950 and 1951.
During the 1950 season, Bob and his team (all were in the junior class) defeated Berkeley High School on Piedmont's home court. Piedmont had not accomplished this feat in any sport versus Berkeley High School during the preceding five years. During his senior year he led the Highlanders to a victory over St. Mary's High School of Berkeley that was ranked number one in northern California, won the Alameda County Athletic League (ACAL) Championship and the Norcal Tournament of Champions. Bob, at 6 7-1/2" and 215 pounds led in both scoring 9 and rebounds while gaining AII-County honors. During Bob's senior year he also participated on the Highlander track and field team (coached by "Brick" Johnson) where he won the ACAL shot put event.
After graduation he went on to become a four-year starter on the University of California, Berkeley basketball team. McKeen became Cal's all-time basketball scoring leader during his AII-America senior season of 1955, and his 1,654 points remained the standard for 32 years, until Kevin Johnson broke it. McKeen remains Cal's all-time leading rebounder with 1,034. He was a three-time all PCC Southern Division selection.
After being drafted to play professional basketball, Bob decided that other career plans took precedence. He was a successful real estate businessman and served as a member of the Oakland City Council for four years.
Links:
https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Bob-McKeen-Star-Athlete-At-Cal-Ex-Oakland-2786570.php
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_McKeen
Cal Bears Hall of Fame - https://calbears.com/sports/2016/6/27/210281408.aspx
It has been said that Bob Muenter's life and his teams are synonymous with Piedmont High School's athletic prowess. He joined the staff in 1949 and retired in 1983 after coaching varsity football, baseball and swimming. He served as an assistant coach for track and field, "B" basketball and golf teams. In addition, he was also a Physical Education instructor, department chairman and athletic director during his career at Piedmont.
His teams won football championships in 1959, 1960, 1965 and 1972. Bob won individual honors as a Co-Coach of the East-West High School All-Star football game and served as an advisory coach for the Cerebral Palsy Alameda-Contra Costa game for 26 years. Bob has been recognized for a number of awards including the East Bay Coach of the Year on two occasions, the Joe Verducci Award for Northern California, the Pepsi Coach of the Year Award for Northern California and named to the University of the Pacific Hall of Fame.
The players on his 1952-1972 teams have also recognized Bob. Known as "Muenter's Boys", they have met for get-aways in Sea Ranch, hosted an annual golf tournaments and dinners to honor Coach Muenter and reminisced over old game films for years.
Archive of photos from Coach Muenter’s great career.
About This Iconic Photo:
It was our last game of the season, homecoming, and a hard fought battle. We were up 7 to 6 with a few minutes to play. We had stop Acalanes and I thought we were going to win. They lined up for a field goal, and made it. In our time field goals were a last ditch effort. I think most of us were still in some what of shock. Coach called us all over to the sidelines, grabbed the mike, and asked the stands to stay and listen. He thanked the fans for their support, and then announced that it was the last time that #22 would be worn. It was a bitter-sweet moment in time for all of us. In the locker room after the game he talked to us and said how proud he was of our effort throughout the season. That was the kind of man he was. He taught us not to gloat after a win, and if you gave it your all, not hang your head after a loss.
With regards,
Doug Duncan
PSHOF Inductee
