Fresno Pacific University athletics is pleased to announce the induction of four new members into the Fresno Pacific University Athletic Hall of Fame. Several thousand former student-athletes at Fresno Pacific have contributed to over 50 years of rich intercollegiate athletic history and we are proud to induct four new members this year.
The induction ceremonies will take place at the Sunbird Athletics Fall Kick-Off Banquet on the evening of Monday, September 20, 2010 beginning at 6:00 pm in the Special Events Center on the FPU campus. This event will consist of a dinner, the recognition of current FPU Athletic Hall of Fame members, and the induction of the 2010 FPU Athletic Hall of Fame honorees. The inductees, in alphabetical order, are:
Don Gregory – Men’s Cross Country and Track & Field (1971-75).
Dr. Don Gregory has remained a strong and supportive presence in FPU athletics since his graduation from then Pacific College in 1975. Known for his humbleness, and genuine care and concern for his patients and FPU student-athletes, Don has a deep passion for track and field, particularly distance runners. An accomplished runner himself, Don was one of the best runners in school history. An NAIA All-America (1974) in the marathon, Don has top-five school times in the 3 mile (14:14.04), 6 mile (31:03.6), and marathon (2:31:31). He was also the 1974 and 1975 co-captain of the powerful Viking track and field team as well as the cross country team’s first-ever four-time letter-winner. In 1974, Don was named the “Viking of the Year”. In 2006, Dr. Don Gregory was named a recipient of Fresno Pacific University’s Distinguished Alumni Award.
A cardiovascular specialist with the Cardiovascular Consultants Heart Center, Don Gregory has consistently shared his time and talents by providing pre-season physical examinations for Sunbird cross country and track and field student-athletes. Don and his wife, Karen, have consistently opened their home to Sunbird cross country and track and field student-athletes over the years. They have also hosted numerous track and field and cross country Viking reunions. Don and Karen remain strong supporters of FPU and were the primary motivation for the construction of the track and field facility in 2001. Since his graduation from Pacific College, Don has remained an active fan and participant in the running scene. He has run several marathons and was a member of a three-person team that once set a world record in a 24-hour relay. He has also traveled to locations around the world to attend world-class major track and field competitions. Don and Karen have three children and live in Fresno, California.
Ken Isaak – Director of Sports Information (1991-2007).
It would be difficult to imagine Sunbird (and Viking) athletics at Fresno Pacific without the contributions of Ken Isaak (BA 1976). Ken loved athletes and sports, and he loved Fresno Pacific. He especially loved getting to know the student-athletes and coaches, and their “stories”. Ken embodied the notion of servant leader in all he did. Among the many contributions to Sunbird and Viking athletics that are directly attributed to the tireless work of Ken are the FPU athletic archives. The achievements and historical records of Sunbird and Viking athletics have been meticulously compiled primarily though Ken’s efforts. He began this effort while he and Esther were still living in Seattle, Washington long before returning to FPU in 1991 when he became the FPU Director of Sports Information. Gifted in storytelling and recorded detail, Ken’s passion and commitment to his work was fueled by his genuine love and curiosity for people. He also was instrumental in compiling the Golden State Athletic Conference records and archives.
Ken should be credited with ushering FPU athletics into the electronic age of the website and internet. With archaic beginnings on a web management system that did not have the flexibility and nimbleness required for university athletic websites, Ken managed to develop and maintain one of the best athletic websites in college athletics. Ken’s commitment to excellence and to his profession was ultimately recognized by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Sports Information Director’s Association with the Ike Pearson Award, the highest award given by his peers. In 2007 Ken returned to the position of Director of Financial Aid (a position which he previously held from 1979 to 1984) where he faithfully served FPU until his passing away from cancer on April 15, 2010.
Donnie Johnson – Men’s Basketball (1986-90).
Donnie Johnson started his playing career at FPC as a tough, determined 6-1 freshman guard from Fresno. By his sophomore year he began to make his presence felt both as a leader off the court as well as a fierce competitor on the court. At the end of his sophomore year he was named the team’s best defensive player playing in all 29 of the games and leading the team in field goal percentage (0.522) averaging just under 10 points per game. He was second on the team in rebounds with 5.5 per game and was named GSAC Player of the Week once during the season. In his junior year, he was listed as one of the team’s tops returners, playing in all 31 of the games and averaging 17.3 points per game, and 4.9 rebounds per game, both team leading marks. He was in the top 10 in NAIA District III for points per game and in 3-point field goal percentage. His career-high game of 36 points is still one of the top scoring performances in Sunbird basketball history. He was named GSAC Player of the Week once that season and at season end was named the GSAC Player of the Year as well as a member of the NAIA All-District III Team.
In his senior year, he was seen as the leader of the team. He was named GSAC Player of the Week twice that season averaging 17 points per game and leading the team to a 21-11 record, their best since the 1973-74 season. He was named to the NAIA All-District III Team and the All-GSAC Team ranking in the top 15 in District III for points per game and top 3 in 3-point field goal percentage. For his commitment to excellence on and off the court, he was named FPU Senior Athlete of the Year.
Donnie holds the FPU scoring record with 1,542 points (172 points ahead of the next closest person), most 3-point field goals made (235), field goal attempts (1,247), 3-point attempts (575), as well as most field goals made with 585. He is in the FPU top 10 for rebounds (493) and 3-point field goal percentage (0.409) and has the second most steals (164). Donnie lives in Fresno, California.
Qin Wen – Volleyball (1997-1999).
Qin Wen (BA 2000), a native of Shen Zhen, China, was a member of three GSAC championship volleyball teams in the three seasons she wore the Sunbird uniform. A member of the 1997, 98, and 99 teams, Qin helped lead the Sunbird team to two NAIA “Final Four” appearances. Qin was also named all three years to the NAIA and American Volleyball Coaches Association All-America Team (1997 – 3rd team, 1998 and 1999 1st team). Qin still ranks among the leaders in several FPU offensive categories. Qin Wen’s career totals include 5th in kills (1430), 3rd in kills/game (4.06), and 4th in Attack Efficiency (.382). Perhaps her finest single match came on December 5, 1997 when in a national tournament quarterfinal match vs. Rockhurst College, she tallied 55 kills on 95 attempts along with 26 digs. The 55 kills is still an NAIA national single match kill record. She also had 78 total matches with double figure kills, 35 matches with double figure kills and digs, and 16 matches with 20 or more kills, all in the top 5 in their respective categories. Qin is also 4th overall in career service aces (224) and total passes (2160).
As accomplished a student-athlete as Qin was, she was also a tremendous teammate. She possessed a rare combination of humility and confidence. Her genuine concern for the welfare of her teammates and coaches as well as her playful sense of humor has endeared Qin to all who have gotten to know her. An active member of the Chinese Church at Bethany Mennonite Brethren Church, Qin lives in Fresno, California.
The Fresno Pacific Athletic Hall of Fame exists to honor selected Pacific College/Fresno Pacific College/Fresno Pacific University former student-athletes, coaches, athletic-related faculty and staff for extraordinary accomplishments and service with the Viking/Sunbird athletic programs.
Tickets for the 2010 Sunbird Athletics Fall Kick-Off Banquet are $25 per person. The RSVP deadline is September 14th. For more information or to purchase tickets, please call 559-453-2009.