SAN FRANCISCO – The San Francisco State Gridiron Hall of Fame inducted its 2018 class on Saturday during a luncheon at the Seven Hills Conference Center. The event was organized by Alumni Affairs and the Gridiron Club, a group of San Francisco State football alumni who have worked to preserve the program's history after its final season in 1994.
The Class of 2018 inductees, who distinguished themselves through outstanding achievements on and off the field:
Lyle Baucom, Defensive Lineman (1964-65)
Vic Rowen credited Baucom's intense determination and incredible work ethic, to becoming not only an all-conference player, but to be drafted by the NFL in 1967, along with teammates Elmer Collett and Terry Oakes. Originally from Vallejo and a graduate of Suisun High School, Baucom took a unique path to San Francisco State. He spent four years in the Navy, then attended both College of Marin and West Texas State with Gator teammate Elmer Collett. Lyle and Elmer then transferred to San Francisco State and anchored the 1965 championship team.
Baucom went on to coach for thirty-one years in San Francisco, including varsity football, baseball, golf, and boys and girls tennis teams. He began at Mission High before joining Lincoln High for 27 years.
When asked for a favorite San Francisco State memory, he said "Sharing my car with Elmer Collett to and from school, and meeting my wife of 51 years."
George Benkie, Center (1963-64)
Benkie was the Gators' center and long-snapper for two years. An acknowledged team leader, Benkie was elected captain for his senior year and voted an All-Conference player. He was voted the team's Most Valuable Offensive Lineman for a team that also included Hall of Fame linemen Pete Liebengood and Paul Richards. He was also a leader on the golf team.
Upon graduation he joined the football staff as a coach, named head freshman coach in 1966.
Benkie's personal reflection on playing at San Francisco State: "Those teams and players shared a common goal: winning. We cared and respected each other and those feelings made us a cohesive winning team."
Dennis Dow, Linebacker (1965-66)
Dow came to San Francisco State from a small town near Modesto. He was selected All-Conference as a senior. He also lettered for four years on the swim team, as a champion diver. Dow later earned his Masters degree in psychology at the University of Maryland, and began a lengthy career in the mental health field, as a service provider and an executive.
He sent us this personal thought: The great thing at State was that no one on the coaching staff ever gave me the feeling that I wasn't worth their time, or that I shouldn't be trying to play. They just kept moving me around until they found I spot where I could contribute. I believe they treated everyone this way. If you wanted to play, they were happy to give you a shot.
Dennis Drucker, Linebacker (1963-65)
Drucker was a proud 1961 graduate of St. Ignatius, along with golfing buddy Mike Moriarty, and eventual Gator football teammates Gil Haskell, Tim Tierney, Mike Burke, and Paul Richards. He attended City College before coming to San Francisco State. In addition to his football skills, he and Mike Moriarty were the top two golfers on the championship Gator golf team.
Dr. Jim Gray, Defensive Back (1965-66)
Gray was an exceptional player and leader, and brought a great attitude to the team. At 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds, he was fast and tough, and a
great member of the 1965 league championship squad. The following year he was an all- conference selection. His defensive coach Allen Abraham remembers Jim as, "an excellent athlete with a wonderful personality. He added intensity and fun to the defensive team." Jim earned his Masters from San Francisco State and his PhD from UCSF. He recently retired from Sonoma State as an emeritus professor of American Multicultural Studies.
Mike Heffernan, Defensive Lineman (1961-63)
Heffernan came to San Francisco State from Vallejo High School and excelled for four years on some of the Gators' greatest defensive teams, playing under both Joe Verducci and Vic Rowen. A student of the game, he was quiet and tough, and he loved contact. He went on to teach and coach at El Camino High School for nearly forty years. Mike was an outstanding administrator and physical education teacher. He became head of the Physical Education Department and under Mike's leadership El Camino was named an official "State-Wide Model Physical Education Program." He is one of only three San Francisco State graduates to become president of the California Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, a statewide professional organization with more than 4,000 members.
Monte Hess, Receiver (1955-57)
Hess was a three-year starter for head coach Joe Verducci and an all-conference receiver for two years. He led the nation in receiving touchdowns in his senior year. He grew up in Riverside and came to San Francisco State after four years in the Air Force. He walked-on partway through his sophomore season and immediately became a starter. He was the go-to receiver in two different seasons, for Gator All-Conference quarterbacks, Manuel Perry and Jimmy Sochor, on a team that featured other future Hall of Famers Floyd Peters, John Sochor, Sandy Malnick, Bob Rodrigo, and Jim Swan. He went on to earn his graduate degree in City and Regional Planning. He is an outdoorsman, and for more than 15 years worked with the Sierra Club, leading week-long Sierra backpacking treks for teenagers.
Keith Rowen (Lifetime Gator)
Although he excelled at Stanford, both as a football leader and a student, Keith was a true Gator in every sense. Young Keith Rowen's Gator life began when he was five, hanging around the practice fields with his dad, Vic. As he got older, Keith stayed late at practices and coaching meetings, then went home with his Dad to talk more football. He accompanied coaches on scouting trips, and was the Gators' biggest fan.
Doctor Keith Rowen has had quite another life, having graduated from Lincoln High in San Francisco, and then with honors from Stanford School of Business. In 1974, he was a football All-American, Academic All-American, and was drafted into the NFL by the Eagles. He was voted team captain by his Stanford teammates and was recognized with the team's leadership award. He went on to earn his Masters from Stanford and PhD from USC. He then coached for two Pac-10 schools, Stanford and Arizona, and for six NFL teams. He recently retired from coaching, and now he and his wife Kimberly are catching up on their world travels.
Rowen's reflections as a Gator: "San Francisco State, as well as my dad, taught me work ethic, competing, and mainly, how to love those around you!"
1959 Championship Team
The 1959 Gators were coached by the legendary Joe Verducci and his assistant Vic Rowen. The squad won ten straight games, the best-ever record by a Gator team. Over a four year period, the core '59 players won four straight conference championships. A powerhouse offense averaged over thirty points a game, led by all-time Gator quarterback Jim Sochor and Hall of Fame running backs Charlie Fuller, Hank Marshall, Willie Simpson and Jesse Racines. A stifling defense allowed just over one touchdown per game, with four shutouts. The defensive line was anchored by Hall of Famers Julius Varnardo, Ford Joy, Ted Treu, Neil Laughlin and a young Allen Abraham. Defensive backs were future NFL star Bill Baird, tenacious Bill Breslan, and all-time Gator great Manuel Perry.
