College of Marin Athletic Hall of Fame Celebrates Five New Inductees

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News Contact:
Cathy Summa-Wolfe, Director
Communications & Community Relations
415-485-9528

College of Marin Athletic Hall of Fame Celebrates Five New Inductees

Third Annual Event to Honor Pete Carroll, Jerry Goff, Pete Limm, Justin Nichols and John Panagakis

Kentfield, CA—May 23, 2012—In celebration of their standout athleticism, inspired coaching and legacy of community service, College of Marin (COM) is honoring five new inductees to its Athletic Hall of Fame: Pete Carroll, Jerry Goff, Pete Limm, Justin Nichols and John “The Greek” Panagakis.

“These honorees have made significant contributions to their sports and have served as role models for many students,” said David Wain Coon, Ed.D., COM Superintendent/President. “This event will allow us to show our great appreciation for the work that they have done and their many accomplishments.”

The five men will be honored at the Third Annual Athletic Hall of Fame Ceremony and Banquet on Saturday, June 9.

“This group is not just a great class of athletes involved with College of Marin; they are men who have had a huge impact on the communities in which they live,” said Matt Markovich, director of P.E. and Athletics. “It’s another great group of college alumni that have touched a lot of student athletes’ lives over the years.”

WHAT: Third Annual Athletic Hall of Fame Ceremony and Banquet

WHEN:
Saturday, June 9, 2012
5:30 p.m. – No Host Social Hour
6:30 p.m. – Dinner and Induction Ceremony

WHERE: Four Points by Sheraton, 1010 Northgate Drive, San Rafael, CA 94903

TICKETS: $60 each. Seating is limited. RSVP by June 1, 2012

CONTACT: Lindsay Bacigalupi, Athletics and P.E., 415.485.9580; lindsay.bacigalupi@marin.edu

"In addition to recognizing their contributions, the life stories of these men inspire our young college athletes", Markovich said.

Former Major League Baseball Player Jerry Goff, 48, played baseball and also punted for College of Marin’s football team. He transferred to and played baseball ball at the University of California at Berkeley, and was drafted by the Seattle Mariners professional baseball organization. His major league debut was in 1990 for the Montreal Expos and he continued to play in the major leagues until 1996. He is now a firefighter for the City of Millbrae.

“I was lucky enough to play there one year and move on to Cal,” Goff said. “That was a stepping stone to the rest of my career.”

It was also an important time of transition for Pete Carroll, 60, who played football for two years at College of Marin (1969-1970) before transferring to the University of the Pacific at Stockton and later coaching for the National Football League. Carroll has won a number of career awards and is currently head coach of the Seattle Seahawks.

Justin Nicholas, 42, currently a swim and water polo coach in the Dallas, Texas area, was a national champion swimmer and water polo player. He held the junior college record for 200-yard breaststroke for 23 years, and remembers invaluable coaching and inspiration at the college.

“The important thing is to make sure these kids have every opportunity they can to go on and do as well as they can,” said inductee Pete Limm, 81, who coached many years at College of Marin, served as athletic director and continues to teach golf part-time at the college. “You teach the kids who are good and the kids who are not so good. You teach them everything you know so they can do well.”

John “The Greek” Panagakis, 75, initially hired on in 1966 as a College of Marin basketball coach, also coached football, tennis, track and soccer, as well as women’s basketball, before going on to work for the Florida Marlins and then returning to the Marin area to organize and coach Special Olympics for nearly four decades.

“I always say, ‘You may have won a lot of games but in four years, I’ve never lost a game,” Panagakis said. “It’s really what athletics is all about; they just enjoy playing without a lot of pressure.”

"These are the life stories that inspire our student athletes and remind us of our rich history in athletics and community service," Markovich said. “The Athletic Department is a big family. It’s great to know and understand what College of Marin was like before we got here and understand why people love this place so much.”

The College of Marin Athletic Hall of Fame was founded in 2010 to recognize the outstanding achievements of its former student-athletes, coaches, and friends of the athletic program. Photos and a commemorative plaque for each of the five men will hang in the Irwin P. Diamond Physical Education Center alongside those of 11 inductees from previous years.

Inductees – Class of 2010
Irwin “Red” Diamond (basketball 1947—1984)
Mario Ghilotti (football 1946—1947)
Ray Snyder (basketball 1947—1948)
Rich Nave (football 1949—1950)
David Cotton (springboard diving 1974—1975)

Inductees – Class of 2011
Harry Pieper (football and track 1948—1983)
Joe Morello (baseball 1949—1950)
Peter Arrigoni (baseball, football, and track 1949—1951)
Honor Jackson (football 1967—1968)
Al Endriss (baseball 1982—1997)

Hall of Fame nominations are received throughout the year. The nomination form is available online. For more information, contact the Athletic Department at 415.485.9580.

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College of Marin is one of 112 public community colleges in California and is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Approximately 10,000 credit and noncredit students enroll each fall and spring semester. Classes also are offered during the summer.

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