SWIRE Coca-Cola Maverick Hall of Honor
2000 Inductees

KENNETH BLAIR - Ken Blair had an unbelievable athletic career in high school, junior college and four-year college. Ken graduated from Grand Junction High School in 1961 and earned eight varsity letters in three years. In football he was selected All-Conference and was selected to compete in the Colorado All-State game. In addition to football, he lettered three years in basketball and track. He started the final two years in basketball, was CO-captain his senior year, was leading scorer and rebounder his senior year and was selected All-Conference. In track he competed in the state tournament all three years. He was the state champion in the long jump his senior year and placed in the high jump.

Ken played two years at Mesa Junior College as a quarterback, halfback, wide receiver, safety, and cornerback. He was the leading scorer during his sophomore year and was dubbed the "60 minute man" by the press. Ken was selected second team All-American as a quarterback and defensive back his sophomore year. In track during his freshman year, he was the leading scorer and won the Empire Junior College championships in the high jump and long jump. At the NJCAA nationals he participated in four events, taking fourth in the long jump with a leap of 23'4", breaking the school record by over eight inches. Immediately upon his return from the track championships, he qualified as one of Mesa's four team members for the national golf championships and left immediately for Joliet for the NJCAA national championships. He competed in the 72-hole tournament for Mesa as the team placed 12th in the nation.

At CSU, Ken competed in both indoor and outdoor track and became the all-time point's scoring leader in track. He also started at cornerback and safety for two years in football. As a senior Ken was awarded the Nye Award, given to the top CSU athlete.

After graduating from CSU in 1965, Ken joined the Air Force (1967-1971), then earned his master's and doctorate degrees from Arizona State University. From 1976-1986 he was a professor of business at Northern Montana College. From 1986-1992 he was department chair and professor at Western State and has been a professor at Mesa State since 1992, also having served as dean.

Ken and his wife, Shirley, reside in Grand Junction and have two sons, Dave and Steve.

PAUL CAIN - "Paul Cain is one of the best basketball players to ever play at Mesa State. His career statistics still speak for themselves" quotes Dennis Derrieux, a former team member. "Paul was a winner and the benchmark for other student athletes on the court and in the classroom."

Paul graduated from Basalt High School in 1986 where he was named All-State for three years and named 2A State Player of the Year in 1986. He was also given honorable mention status for USA All-American.

As a Maverick (1986-1990) Pauls' special athletic and academic achievements were outstanding. He was named All-Conference and All-Region three times, a three-time academic all-region selection, and an academic All-American in 1988-1989. He was presented the Mesa State Student-Athlete award and was selected to six all-tournament teams. Paul is the second all-time leading scorer with 2,035 points. In addition, he is Mesa State's number two rebounder (964). He was second in field goals (794), free throws (405), and steals (122). He was selected to the Region VII All-Academic team twice.

"Paul went out in style," said Coach Doug Schakel after Paul's last game. "He gave it his best shot. He's given us a lot of great memories and left some marks that will stand for quite some time. "

After graduating from Mesa State in 1990, Paul played professional basketball in Germany (1990-1991). He received his master's degree from the University of Northern Colorado in 1997 and is the Athletic Director at Grand Junction Central High School. He and his wife, Debbie, a former Lady Maverick basketball player reside in Grand Junction.

PETER CARLSTON - Peter Carlston graduated in 1929 from East High School in Salt Lake City, Utah where he was captain of the football team, all-state, all-conference and recipient of the Richmond Gold Medal for being the outstanding student athlete. He received his bachelor's degree in 1934 and his master's degree in 1948 from the University of Utah.

Pete came to Mesa College in 1939 to coach football, basketball, track, wrestling, tennis, baseball and golf. He was a pioneer in establishing a respected, winning athletic program at Mesa during the junior college years. During his tenure, Mesa won three conference championships in track, two conference championships in football, and one each in wrestling and basketball. His 1941 football team received national recognition and was rated by The Pigskin Review as the fifth best junior college team in the nation. He also mentored two conference championship mile relay teams. Mesa's football, basketball, and track teams posted winning seasons every year Pete was their coach.

After leaving Mesa, Carlston went on to a singularly impressive thirty-two year career in coaching at the University of Utah. He produced one or more conference championships in every sport he coached. His 1951 baseball team went to the NCAA College World Series and finished in a tie for third.

Pete also established his own sports school and during summer months taught fundamentals and sportsmanship to Salt Lake City youth. He continued this effort until his eightieth birthday.

Peter Carlston passed away in 1992 at the age of 81 leaving his wife, Eleanor, who resides in Salt Lake City. Peter and Eleanor have three children, Jerry, Jan and Eleanor.

ERIC HAWKINS - Eric attended Grand Junction High School and graduated in 1982 having participated in basketball and track. Eric was named to the All-Southwest league in basketball his junior and senior year and selected All-State as a senior. In addition to being a standout athlete, Eric was just as accomplished in the classroom as he was on the court. He was accepted into the National Honor Society his junior and senior year.

While playing basketball at Mesa State from 1982-1986, Eric acquired a host of athletic achievements. They include: Mesa State College Student Athlete of the Year (1984-1985); NAIA All-American (1986); two-time NAIA academic All-American (1985 and 1986); NAIA District VII Player of the Year (1986); First team All-RMAC (1986); Second Team All-RMAC (1984); Honorable Mention RMAC (1985); three-time RMAC Scholar-Athlete; three-time NAIA District VII Scholar-Athlete. He is the career leader at Mesa State College in rebounds (966), blocked shots (143) and consecutive starts (113). His is the fourth all-time leading scorer (1509), third in field goals made (615) and free throws made (337). He was selected to the Denver Post first team small college team and the NAIA national tournament team (1985). Eric received the Bill Foster Memorial Award during the 1984-1985 academic year and was listed in Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities (1985 and 1986). He was selected by student vote as graduation speaker in 1986.

Eric earned his master's degree in Computer Science in 1986. He is a software development manager with Advanced Digital Information Corporation in Englewood. He, his wife Lori and four children live in Elizabeth, Colorado.

DERYL McKINNERNEY - Deryl McKinnerney attended Weslaco Texas High School, graduating in 1983 having been honored at All-district level as a linebacker. His skills in team roping (Texas Rodeo Youth Division) were also recognized.

During his years at MSC (1983-1986) Deryl was a four-year starter at linebacker and the only freshman to start. He led the Mavericks in tackles three of his four seasons. He was the leading tackler in the RMAC during his junior and senior years. He was a unanimous two-time first-team All-Conference selection in 1985 and 1986 and second-team All-Conference selection in 1984 as a sophomore. He was selected Outstanding defensive Player in the Maverick's 1985 NAIA national playoff game vs. Hillsdale College. Deryl was chosen RMAC player of the Week five times as a junior and four times as a senior.

"Deryl was without a doubt one of the finest football players I have ever coached. As a four-year starter at linebacker he was a player that led by example" states Deryl's coach, Bob Cortese. "Even as a freshman, his ability to lead the defense was uncommon." Sheldon Keresy, Deryl's assistant football coach, quotes, "Mesa football experienced great success during the time Deryl played there and his personal honors are a matter of record. It is sometimes hard to single out individual players who played on great teams, but there is no doubt in my mind that Deryl was one of the primary shapers of the success we experienced."

After graduating from Mesa State College, Deryl entered the sales profession and from 1996-2000 managed the day-to-day operation of a 2100-acre ranch in Hondo, Texas. They now live in the Denver area. He and his wife, Jill, have two children, Taylor and Nathan.

ROGER WILSON - Roger Wilson was a standout student as well as a standout athlete while attending Central High School. He graduated in 1954 having participated in basketball (4 years), football (1 year), baseball (2 years), and track (2 years). His successes were recognized by Jay Tolman, the Director of Athletics who invited Roger to attend Mesa and play basketball.

During his freshman year at Mesa, Roger was the leading scorer in the Empire College Conference with 464 total points, establishing a new scoring record. He was selected first-team All-Conference both his freshman and sophomore years. Elected team captain his sophomore year, he averaged 22.7 points per game and scored the most points in a single game in the conference (29). He was honored with a "Roger Wilson Night" by the Maverick Boosters and local Quarterback Club. Roger attended Mesa 1954-1956.

Wayne Nelson remembers Roger as "a hardworking, dedicated player with a tremendous attitude. He was well liked by his fellow teammates and he set a wonderful example for others to follow, both on and off the court."

He transferred to Utah State University where he participated in their basketball program. He went on to obtain his masters degree and doctorate degree from Montana State University. Roger became regional director of the Tennessee Valley Authority in the Northwest region.

Roger lives in Grand Junction with his wife, Orma. They have three children, Randall Alan, Lorna Jean and Loren Dale.

BRUCE "BUD" BROWNSON - Bud Brownson, a true friend of Maverick athletics, is being inducted into the Maverick athletic Hall of Honor for his continuous support and generosity in providing scholarships to students. He and his wife, Phyllis established the Brownson Memorial Scholarship in 1984 in memory of Bruce P. and Mary F. Brownson. Most of the scholarships given in the Brownson name have been given to student athletes. For the sixteen years between 1984-2000, nine students were recipients of Brownson scholarships. In addition to scholarships, Bud personally employed many student-athletes to perform miscellaneous jobs at his business and home.

Bud attended Mesa Junior College 1946-48 and played football for two years. He showed his support for Mesa State athletics by attending numerous athletic events since 1946. The College gymnasium (Brownson Arena) was named in his honor on January 16, 1999.

M. LARRY COPELAND, D.O. - Dr. Larry Copeland's interest in the welfare of Mesa State's athletes is unsurpassed. Eighteen years ago he approached the athletic director, Jay Jefferson, about employing an athletic trainer. Because of budget restraints, the Athletic Department could not fund such a position. Due to his generosity, Mesa State had its first certified trainer. His interest did not stop there. It was also his personal efforts and the help of Community hospital that equipment was donated to the training room. Gradually Mesa was able to establish a first-rate training room.

As Mesa State continued to grow, it was obvious that an assistant athletic trainer was needed. Again, Dr. Copeland stepped in and helped provide funding for this position. Besides helping fund the training room personnel for the past eighteen years, he and his staff have provided free physicals for athletes. He has always shown his support by buying advertising in athletic programs, attending home football and basketball games and providing treatment and care for injuries that might occur to athletes.

When one evaluates the countless hours and financial support donated by Dr. Larry Copeland, it is not surprising to see his name placed on the Hall of Honor. He is truly a friend of Mesa State and athletics.