Local legends inducted into PC Hall of Fame

Class was the name of the game at Porterville College’s 17th Annual Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet, held Saturday at Pirates Gym.

It wasn’t only in style as members of PC’s current batch of athletes tended to several hundreds guests, but class seemed to prevail among the three individuals and one team who were named to the college’s Hall of Fame for their athletic contributions.

Randy Quiram, Fred Wren and Donald Russell — all of whom excelled for the Pirates’ football team in the 1960s and ‘70s — along with the 1986 women’s cross country team were inducted.

Each were presented with a plaque while introduced by various coaches and friends. Former PC football coach Nick Nelson presented for Quiram, who currently serves as athletic director for Monache High, where he also coached football, track and cross country.

Quiram, as did the other inductees, gave thanks to former coaches, Porterville College, family and friends before sharing anecdotes of his childhood in Terra Bella. Quiram said his football career began with his days of playing ball with his father and brothers.

“My dad hiked me the ball and I ran through his legs about 15 yards for my first touchdown,” said Quiram, who went on to become the Pirates’ all-time leader in all-purpose yards. His single season performance of rushing 968 yards is second to fellow inductee Russell, who had 975.

“I remember where I got that speed,” Quiram explained. “I was on the front porch at my house one day. My mom... said, ‘Randy, you get in this house right now.’ I had a screen door between she and me and the steps were right behind me. I said, ‘You’re gonna have to catch me.’

“So I turned, I ran and I didn’t even get to the street. My mom had me by the horse collar, which is illegal nowadays.”

After Quiram graduated from PC in 1968, he attended Fresno State and returned as an assistant coach.

Russell led the Pirates in 1976-77 and was chosen as a member of the Central Valley Conference’s first team both seasons. He also helped lead the 1977 PC track team to a California Community College Athletic Association track championship before playing football at UNLV. Russell has since returned and resides in Porterville with his wife, Diane.

Wren, who lives in Australia, was unable to attend. He earned All-American honorable mention as a 5-foot-11, 260-pound nose guard from 1961-63.

Wren attended Strathmore and helped PC win a championship.

The 1986 women’s cross country team was one of the most dominant in school history, posting a perfect 8-0 record and winning the CCCAA cross country title.