Hall of Fame inducts seven, Covey shines
Taylor M. Gombos
Issue date: 5/6/09 Section: Sports
Seven members were inducted into the Bakersfield College Track and Field and Cross Country Hall Of Fame at the 27th annual Track and Field alumni dinner April 30, but it seemed as if only one member was being inducted.
The inductees were Brooklan and Britany Grimes, Jerome and Jeremy Miller, Theodore "Spud" Harder, Dr. Jack Schuetz and Bob Covey.
The spotlight seemed to shine on Covey no matter who was on the stage as several Covey memories were shared.
Covey, who coached BC track and field for 42 years, was very grateful for the honor of being inducted.
"I'm really pleased with this honor, and I'm glad that they thought I was worthy of it," he said.
During his tenure as BC track and field coach, the Renegades won 22 conference titles and 10 cross country conference titles. His teams also won the California State Championship in 1971 and 1972.
Several people requested the opportunity to say a few words about Covey and his career.
"I am a blessed man to have met Bob. He was one tough cookie, but he was an honest man," Ben Olison said.
Public address announcer Carl Bryan said that Covey gave him his start in being a track announcer when Bryan was helping out BC's track and field team.
"In 1981, Bob Covey said to me, 'We are going to put you behind the microphone.' I thought that was a bad idea, but it changed my life. I own a great deal to Bob Covey," said Bryan.
Jesse Bradford complimented Covey on his knowledge of track and field.
"Bob is a guy who had the ability to coach every event in track and field," he said.
Britany Grimes' career highlights include winning a 1,500-meter race at the 2005 state championships and being named Western State Conference Track Athlete of the year in 2005.
"She was a great young lady to work with," said men's track and field coach Dave Frickel.
Britany's sister, Brooklan, also had a successful career, which included placing second in the WSC in the 1,500 meters with a time of 4:55.03 in 2003 and setting a BC record by winning the Southern California championships with a time of 4:33.78 in the 1,500 meters in 2004.
The inductees were Brooklan and Britany Grimes, Jerome and Jeremy Miller, Theodore "Spud" Harder, Dr. Jack Schuetz and Bob Covey.
The spotlight seemed to shine on Covey no matter who was on the stage as several Covey memories were shared.
Covey, who coached BC track and field for 42 years, was very grateful for the honor of being inducted.
"I'm really pleased with this honor, and I'm glad that they thought I was worthy of it," he said.
During his tenure as BC track and field coach, the Renegades won 22 conference titles and 10 cross country conference titles. His teams also won the California State Championship in 1971 and 1972.
Several people requested the opportunity to say a few words about Covey and his career.
"I am a blessed man to have met Bob. He was one tough cookie, but he was an honest man," Ben Olison said.
Public address announcer Carl Bryan said that Covey gave him his start in being a track announcer when Bryan was helping out BC's track and field team.
"In 1981, Bob Covey said to me, 'We are going to put you behind the microphone.' I thought that was a bad idea, but it changed my life. I own a great deal to Bob Covey," said Bryan.
Jesse Bradford complimented Covey on his knowledge of track and field.
"Bob is a guy who had the ability to coach every event in track and field," he said.
Britany Grimes' career highlights include winning a 1,500-meter race at the 2005 state championships and being named Western State Conference Track Athlete of the year in 2005.
"She was a great young lady to work with," said men's track and field coach Dave Frickel.
Britany's sister, Brooklan, also had a successful career, which included placing second in the WSC in the 1,500 meters with a time of 4:55.03 in 2003 and setting a BC record by winning the Southern California championships with a time of 4:33.78 in the 1,500 meters in 2004.
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