Fresno State Athletics
Three Former Bulldogs Inducted Into Hall of Fame
11/3/2011 12:00:00 AM | General
Nov. 3, 2011
FRESNO, Calif. - Former Fresno State Bulldogs Dan Gladden, Lorenzo Neal and Ken Papi will be inducted into the Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame Thursday night at the Fresno Convention Center in downtown Fresno.
The 53rd Hall of Fame Enshrinement Dinner begins at 6 p.m. and will honor a total of eight inductees on the night. Also included in the Hall of Fame inductions are Bruce Bowen, Courtney Dale-Boldt, Elbert "Ickey" Woods, Bob Barnett and the San Joaquin Memorial boy's basketball team.
Dan Gladden
An outfielder with a fiery streak, Gladden was a prime example of how wrong the scouts can be. No speed and no power, the scouts said. Undrafted after his last season at Fresno State, he asked Fresno Giants General Manager Bill Thompson for a tryout. Gladden went from a Single-A chance to an 11-year major league career, highlighted by winning two World Series with the Minnesota Twins in 1987 and 1991. He has twice graced the cover of "Sports Illustrated" on Oct. 26, 1987 and Oct. 28, 1991.
Lorenzo Neal
Paving the way for 1,000-yard rushers throughout 11 consecutive seasons, Neal was named to the All-Decade Team of the 2000s by "The Sporting News." From 1994 through 2007, he played in an incredible 221 consecutive games -- a streak that ended only after suffering a broken leg. The Lemoore High and Fresno State graduate was selected to four Pro Bowls and twice was named first-team All-Pro (2006, 2007).
Ken Papi
Papi coached 37 seasons for the Fresno High Warriors, winning 580 games, second-most in section history. Despite demographic shifts that turned Fresno's oldest high school into an inner-city school, he continued the Warriors' century long tradition of baseball excellence. Papi, a catcher, played for both Coach Pete Beiden and Coach Bob Bennett at Fresno State, where he learned that executing the fundamentals and giving your all were crucial to success. He was a member of the 1967 team that went 38-10, won the California Collegiate Athletic Association title and went on to the NCAA tournament.
In 1958, the Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame was established to perpetuate the feats accomplished by the great athletes of Fresno County. The idea was conceived by Ed Orman, sports editor of the Fresno Bee, and John Voenes, chairman of the Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame Committee.
"We Are Your Team!"- For all the up to date information on Fresno State Athletics log on to gobulldogs.com. You can always stay connected with Fresno State Athletics on Facebook and Twitter (@FSAthletics).
