2024 Marin Athletic Foundation Hall of Fame capsules
The Marin Athletic Foundation is set to induct its 2024 class into the Hall of Fame at the Embassy Suites in San Rafael on Saturday night.
The 2024 class has a distinct San Marin flavor to it with four of the seven athletes being Mustangs — including three who all played baseball for the 2003 section-title team. Both of the coach inductees, Randy Willis and Ron Butori, are also from San Marin.
The player class is led by David ‘Bud’ Norris, who went on to play 10 years in Major League Baseball. He’s joined by 2003 classmates Jack Rolovich and Erik Egide, who both played football and baseball for the Mustangs. The fourth San Marin player is Melissa Boyle, a standout basketball and softball player in the 1990s.
Athletes also being inducted are Redwood baseball pitcher Ed Andersen (1970s), Drake swimmer and water polo player Joe Smith (2000s), plus Marin Catholic football and track standout Patrick Gordon (1980s).
The Special Recognition inductee is Robert Tong, who worked for the Marin Independent Journal and shot countless prep sporting events during his 35-year career as a photographer.
Athletes
David ‘Bud’ Norris, San Marin baseball, 2003
Norris is one of three members from San Marin’s North Coast Section title winning baseball team in 2003 to be inducted into the Hall of Fame this year. Norris, who spent two years at Marin Catholic before transferring to San Marin in 2001, helped the Mustangs win their first section title since 1982.
Norris, along with Darrell Fisherbaugh, were San Marin’s top two pitchers that season. Norris picked up the win in the NCS semifinals against Fortuna then came up with two important hits in the title game – a 7-0 win against Windsor. Norris singled and scored in the first inning then added a two-run double in the second inning.
Norris was voted second-team all-MCAL that year, hitting .404 for the season. Norris went on to play at Cal Poly before being drafted by the Houston Astros in 2006.
Norris played 10 years in the big leagues from 2009-18. His best season came in 2014 when he posted a 15-8 record for Baltimore with a 3.65 earned-run average.
One of Norris’ career highlights came that postseason when he pitched 6.1 innings of two-hit ball in a 2-1 win against Detroit as the Orioles advanced to the American League Championship Series following a 3-0 series win.
Jack Rolovich, San Marin football/baseball, 2003
San Marin athletics enjoyed one of its most prosperous stretches at the turn of the century with the football team winning a section title in 2001 followed by the baseball team winning another in 2003. Rolovich was front and center in both instances.
Rolovich was the starting quarterback for the 2001 Mustangs, who at 12-0 remain the only undefeated football team in school history. Rolovich led the MCAL in touchdown passes and was voted co-MVP that season.
San Marin had a bye in the NCS 2A Redwood Empire quarterfinals then posted a 21-6 victory over Fort Bragg in the semifinals. The Mustangs defeated Terra Linda 9-0 at College of Marin to claim the program’s first title since 1992. San Marin wouldn’t win another football section title until 2021.
The Mustangs remained strong in Rolovich’s senior season, making it back to the section final where they fell 31-14 to an undefeated Novato High squad. Rolovich threw for 4,019 yards and 39 touchdowns over his final two seasons, leading the Mustangs to a 21-4 record.
After the 2002 football season ended, Rolovich turned his attention back to baseball, where he hit cleanup and played in the outfield for San Marin. Rolovich led the team in home runs in both his junior and senior seasons, earning second-team and first-team MCAL honors, respectively. Rolovich hit an RBI double in the first inning of the section title victory against Windsor.
After graduation, Rolovich followed in the footsteps of his older brother, Nick, to play quarterback at the University of Hawaii. Rolovich transferred to Montana State prior to the 2006 season and threw for 3,911 yards as a member of the Bobcats.
Erik Egide, San Marin football/baseball, 2003
Egide was another key cog in San Marin’s section title successes as the football team won in 2001 and the baseball team followed with a victory in 2003. Egide was the starting running back on the football team and lined up next to starting quarterback Jack Rolovich. Egide and Rolovich were in close proximity again during the baseball season as starting outfielders.
Egide was voted first-team all-MCAL in both his junior and senior seasons in football as he piled up more than 3,000 rushing yards across the two campaigns.
San Marin went undefeated during Egide’s junior season in 2001. Egide ran for more than 1,500 yards as the Mustangs won both the MCAL and NCS 2A Redwood Empire titles.
San Marin remained a powerhouse in 2002, entering the 2A Redwood Empire playoffs as the No. 2 seed. The Mustangs made it back to the title game, falling 31-14 against an undefeated Novato High squad.
Egide was a three-time all-league honoree in baseball, earning second-team MCAL honors in both 2001 and 2002. The Mustangs and Egide peaked in 2003, as the outfielder was selected first-team all-league and the program won its first section title in 21 years.
Egide hit a home run in the section final against Windsor at the Oakland Coliseum to cap the scoring in a 7-0 victory.
Ed Andersen, Redwood baseball/football, 1975
Andersen was the ace of Redwood’s staff at the beginning of an era that saw the Giants win 10 consecutive MCAL championships under coach Al Endriss. Andersen was a varsity player from Day One with the Giants, amassing a 38-5 record while posting a career 1.25 earned-run average.
Andersen went 3-1 as a freshman and 7-3 – including a perfect game – as a sophomore before really hitting his stride as an upperclassman. Andersen was literally unbeatable as a junior, posting a 14-0 record. He went 14-1 in his senior year, adding his second no-hitter.
Andersen was a three-time all-MCAL first-team selection, adding a Tournament of Champions first-team selection in 1973 and a tournament MVP honor in 1974.
After high school, Andersen was drafted in the second round with the No. 38 pick by the Houston Astros. Andersen pitched three seasons in the minor leagues for Astros affiliates and one season with a Yankees affiliate.
In addition to his baseball career, Andersen also played football at Redwood as a linebacker and a running back with the Giants for coach Phil Roark.
Patrick Gordon, Marin Catholic football/track, 1985
Gordon helped the Wildcats accomplish a lot of firsts during his time at Marin Catholic. Gordon was a member of the first MC football team to win an MCAL championship in 1983 and was an even bigger presence on the second MCAL title team in 1985. That team also went on to win the NCS 2A North title, another first for the program.
The track team also claimed its first MCAL pennant in 1983 with Gordon winning three events at the championship meet (100 meters, 200m, 4×400 relay).
Gordon was an all-MCAL first-team football selection as a junior after finishing second in the league with 622 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Gordon’s numbers jumped to 985 yards and nine touchdowns in seven league games as he claimed MCAL Back of the Year honors as a senior.
MC went on to beat Sonoma Valley and Ukiah to win the NCS 2A North championship. Gordon scored the go-ahead touchdown in the 14-7 win over Ukiah. MC advanced to the 2A championship where it lost to De La Salle. All told that season, Gordon accounted for 2,155 all-purpose yards and 16 touchdowns.
Gordon was also an impressive track athlete, winning a total of five events in MCAL Championships in three seasons. Gordon was on three 4×400 relay winning teams and won both of the sprints as a sophomore. Gordon was also on two section-title winning relay teams in 1983 and 1984 and won the 200 meters at NCS as a sophomore.
Gordon did not run track as a senior after signing his letter of intent to play football at the University of Hawaii. Gordon was a starting corner for two seasons at Hawaii, and helped the program reach its first bowl game in 1989.
Joe Smith, Drake water polo/swimming, 2003
Smith’s dominance in the pool at Drake can be summed up in two stats – he never lost a game against an MCAL opponent in four years on the varsity water polo team and he was an individual double winner at all four MCAL swimming championships that he competed in.
Smith was an all-league honoree all four years on the water polo team and a first-team selection three times. The Pirates made it to at least the NCS quarterfinals every season, with Smith being named the section MVP during his senior season.
As a swimmer, Smith won the 200 individual medley at the MCAL championships every year he was at Drake. Smith won the 100 breaststroke his final three years after winning the 100 free as a freshman.
Smith won the 200 IM at NCS as a junior and won both the 200 IM and the 100 breast at NCS as a senior. He secured All-American honors in both events his senior year, finishing 16th in the nation in the 200 IM and 11th in the 100 breast.
After graduation, Smith played water polo at Cal and UC Davis. Smith led the Aggies to an undefeated regular season in conference play as team captain in 2007. The Aggies were ranked as high as eighth in the nation that season and won a program-record 22 games. Smith scored 29 goals and had seven assists that season while playing alongside other Marin standouts including Nick Arrigo, Walter Eggert, Mattie Stone, Erik Quinn, and Aaron Salit.
Melissa Boyle, San Marin basketball/softball, 1996
Boyle was one of the most prolific scorers in San Marin’s basketball history during a three-year varsity career that saw her average 12.9 points per game in MCAL competition. Boyle posted her best season as a senior while playing for coach Pat Donlan. Boyle scored 15.3 points per game in 14 league games, guiding San Marin to an 11-3 record and earning league MVP honors in the process.
Boyle’s versatility as an athlete was on display during her days as a Mustang. Boyle played four years on the softball team – winning three consecutive MCAL titles under coach Al Globe from 1994 through 1996 – and spent three years on the tennis team.
Boyle attended St. Mary’s College and played women’s lacrosse as a club sport for her first three years there before it became a D-I program for her senior season. Boyle helped the Gaels post a 7-7 record during their inaugural campaign, placing second on the team with 28 goals to go along with team-highs of 30 assists and 58 points.
Coaches
Randy Willis, San Marin softball, 1997-2012
Willis oversaw an incredibly successful period for the Mustangs, winning nine MCAL championships and six North Coast Section titles during his 16-year tenure. San Marin won a section title in his first season at the helm, another one in his last season, plus four more in a six-year span from 2002-07.
Willis initially took the San Marin job so he could coach his daughter, Jenny, during her senior season. One of Willis’ first big decisions was to move Jenny to pitcher. The team went 22-0, won the MCAL title, then defeated a loaded Casa Grande team 3-0 in the section final – a game that Willis considered the biggest win of his career.
Willis coached a number of standouts during his tenure, including three consecutive MCAL Co-Players of the Year with Lindsey Bensen (2005), Jenice Bartee (2006), and Kristina Lewis (2007).
Willis had originally planned to retire sooner but decided he wanted to stay on until three of his standout players became seniors in 2012. That team – led by pitcher Danielle Albini, shortstop Bridget Pacchetti, and catcher Gianna Bruschera — went 24-1 on the season and outscored opponents 224-38.
Willis earned his milestone 300th career victory in the MCAL championship game that season with a 7-5 victory against Tam. Willis ended his career a couple weeks later on 303 wins against just 84 losses following a 13-8 win against Bishop O’Dowd in the section final. Willis earned Cal-Hi Sports’ softball coach of the year honor for medium size schools that season.
Ron Butori, San Marin baseball, 1971-79
Butori is considered the “architect of San Marin baseball” in part because he’s credited with building the current varsity baseball field. As such, he was inducted into the program’s Hall of Fame two years ago.
Butori was the second coach in the program’s history with his tenure running from 1971 until 1979. He later served as an assistant on coach Mark Whitburn’s staff during the early 1980s. Whitburn, who nominated Butori for the Marin Athletic Foundation Hall of Fame, cites him as a major factor in the success of the 1982 team that won the first MCAL and North Coast Section titles in program history.
“His principles and philosophies are still in place today and have helped the baseball program win every championship over the years,” Whitburn said via email.
The 1982 Mustangs entered the NCS 3A playoffs as the No. 8 seed and posted victories against Santa Rosa, El Cerrito, Eureka, and Tennyson en route to the title.
Butori is also in the Sacred Heart Cathedral Hall of Fame, where he played baseball in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Butori was one of the top hitters on the 1961 team that went 32-2. That team was considered one of the top 25 teams in state history in a Cal-Hi Sports feature written in 2013.
Special recognition
Robert Tong, Marin IJ photographer, 1983-2018
During his 35-year career at the Marin IJ, Tong shot countless sporting events around the county and traveled up and down the state as some of the best teams in Marin history competed for state titles in both basketball and football.
Tong developed a passion for photojournalism at an early age and had a paper route for the IJ as a boy. Tong won a photojournalism scholarship from the California Newspaper Youth Foundation at the age of 14. Tong graduated from Drake High in 1978 then attended College of Marin.
Tong began shooting photos as a freelancer from the IJ before being hired full-time in 1983. Tong was named chief photographer in 2006 then became the paper’s photo editor in 2007.
Tong was a multiple-time California News Publishers Association award winner during his career, including for sports photos in 2014, 2015, and 2017.