2023 Hall of Fame
Bill Brown
I was born in Porterville in 1953 to Dick and Venita Brown. I was number 4 of 5 boys raised on the farm where we didn’t have a lot but baseball and chores. Dad was a great teacher and player of the game. Our first bat was a broken bat from when Dad played and the first ball was old socks tied together. We played every chance we had and that is my earliest memory.
I went to Pleasant View Elementary through 8th grade and then on to
Monache High School in 1968, the second year of the school. During my Pleasant
View days, I played Little League in Woodville and eventually moved on to Babe Ruth in Popular and Porterville. During my Freshman year, Monache was still playing sports with Porterville High and I played JV football and “B” basketball. In the spring, I started playing JV baseball but was moved up to Varsity and had the opportunity to play with my brother Steve while winning the 1969 CYL Championship.
In the fall of ‘69, we split from Porterville High and began our own sporting traditions. The first full year was tough. Our football team was made up of mostly sophomores and it showed with a 2-7-1 season. In the spring came baseball and we had a decent team since a couple of us had played on the ‘69 CYL Champion team. I was named All League, MVP, and Co-Captain for the season. As a junior, the football team went 8-2 and improved immensely. We beat PHS for the first time and I was named Best Offensive player and All League. My junior baseball season, I broke my hand early and had to watch from the dugout. Finally my senior year was here and I was ready. Football started and our team was committed to greatness. We set goals and were able to reach most of them. We went 10-0 during the regular season with the only loss coming in the Valley playoffs. I was named All League, All Valley, MVP, and Co-Captain. The commitment continued into the baseball season. During my senior year we were EYL Champions and I was named All League, Most Inspirational, Co-Captain, and received the “MM” ring. What a great experience I had while at MHS.
After graduation, I went on to play one year of baseball at Porterville College.
As life continued, I was fortunate to marry the love of my life, Linda, in 1982. Together we have three children, eight grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. We started our business, Scenic Heights Interiors, in 1986 and retired in 2012. We now live in Bentonville, Arkansas.
Bruce Butler
Bruce Montgomery Butler was born and raised in Porterville to Don and Barbara Butler. His parents encouraged a sacrificial spirit of working together and his family became his first team. As the youngest of four children, Bruce’s love of sports began by playing with his older brothers on West Putnam’s playground. Being on “the team” meant “no guts, no glory and definitely no crying”. During his years at West Putnam Elementary and Pioneer Junior High, he participated in flag football, basketball, Little League and Babe Ruth baseball.
From 1971 to 1975, Bruce attended Monache High School. Marauder competitive pride was powerful and pushed Bruce to letter in football, basketball and baseball all four years. He received several awards, among them the Most Valuable Player for freshman basketball and baseball, JV basketball and Varsity baseball both in his junior and senior years. Ultimately, he was honored with the Double M Award for the best athlete in 1975. During high school, Bruce set Varsity records in football (most interceptions in a season and longest punt return), basketball (most rebounds in a game and season) and baseball (highest batting average in a season). Bruce also played the trumpet in the marching band for four years. In 1974, he was privileged to perform during the half-time show at an Oakland Raiders’ playoff game. That same year, he represented Monache at California Boys State in Sacramento.
After high school graduation, Bruce attended College of Sequoias and played on the Giants baseball team for two years. In 1977, Bruce received a baseball scholarship to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. He played two years for the Mustangs and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Kinesiology. From 1979 to 1981, Bruce played semi-professional baseball for the Santa Maria Indians. In 1979, the team was ranked first in the state of California and second in the nation.
The focus of teamwork enabled Bruce to have a full, diversified career with Farmers Insurance for 34 years. For five years, Bruce was the company’s Northern California liaison to sponsor student athletes for CIF. He also represented the company as a committee member working with the PGA to develop the Farmers Insurance Open. Throughout his career, Bruce translated his athletic experiences into athletic events, some of which were major fundraisers for the March of Dimes. Additionally, he coached several youth soccer and baseball teams in his community.
Bruce’s All-Star team is his family. In 1984, he married his favorite teammate, June Becker, who he met at Cal Poly. They are blessed with two children, Matthew and Sarah. This team also includes son-in-law Joe, daughter-in-law Kati and “rookies in training”, grandchildren Jack, Luke, Claire and Amelia. Bruce is certainly grateful for all the coaches and teammates in his life who have mentored, encouraged, and loved him. However, Bruce is most grateful to God, for without Him, none of this would have been possible.
Carroll Land
“All stories have a beginning, and, because of the Hall of Fame event, I had to think of the first memory that led me to the world of sports. It was a basketball given to me by my mother for Christmas when I was 8 years old. The church next to our apartment had an asphalt half court lighted with a 100-watt bulb. I spent countless hours shooting baskets on that court and felt a sense of accomplishment if I could make 1 or 2 each day. That basketball turned out to be the best gift I ever received resulting in over 50 years of participation in the sport as a player and coach.”
Monache became an independent school in the Porterville School system in 1969 under principal Dick Berryhill. The students and faculty strived to create an identity of excellence in the classroom and athletics. Carroll “C” Land was transferred from PHS to Monache to start the programs in basketball and golf and teach history.
Coach Land fielded a varsity basketball team which had 3 juniors and 9 sophomores (no seniors at Monache yet) and finished the season with a record of 4-19. Two years later, those sophomores (now seniors) turned the tables with a 20-5 record and the EYL league championship. The school year (1971-72) was special. Monache had 8-10 special athletes with positive attitudes who also helped win the football and baseball E.Y.L. championships. During the 1970’s Monache had some good basketball teams coached by Land. “I coached 3 players that were stand outs in basketball: Jesus Guzman who led Monache to its first League Championship, Rance Mulliniks who led the Valley in scoring with 24.5 points per game; and Russell Blackwell who finished in the top 5 in the Valley in scoring and rebounding.”
Two of the most memorable basketball games of the Land’s career were the come from behind overtime win (58-57) over PHS to preserve a Co-EYL championship with Tulare and a trip to the Valley Tourney 1978-79 The most memorable game was the upset victory by the 1982 team over Edison High of Fresno in Fresno. The Edison Tigers were the top-seed in the 8-team Valley championship tournament at the time. The victory was led by Tedd Webb, Ed Creekmore and Robby Burns. Also memorable was the 1986 team, led by the two Mikes (Fusco and Lamonico). Monache won three tournaments that season, including the only victory in school history, up to that time, at the Polly Wilhelmsen Tournament in Visalia. The 1986-87 season was Land’s final season as the varsity basketball coach.
Golf became a passion for Coach Land later in life as a player and a coach. He was fortunate to coach some talented players and teams winning 9 league championships in the mid-80’s and 90’s. Monache finished with either 1st or 2nd place in the EYL the 2 decades leading to his retirement in 1999. 30 years as the Varsity golf coach. During his career Coach Land hosted many EYL, Divisional and Valley championships with the help of Monache staff and River Island Country Club.
Coach Land coached many Valley and State qualifiers included Jeff Gilwitz, Mike Garcia, Jeff Sims, and Kevin Land among others. “Probably the greatest golfer I coached was Jon Rosa, who would go on to win the Individual Championship at C.O.S. before transferring to F.S C. where he played 2 years and won the Fresno City Amateur Championship.”
“I can say I was extremely lucky to have been a part of Monache’s early history when we were all young in body and spirit. It is very satisfying to know that you hopefully made a difference in the lives of many young people whether it was teaching them about the American Revolution or how to properly set a pick or make a putt.”
Dawrence Rice
Dawrence Wayne Rice was born October 6, 1932 in Pampa Texas. He attended Pampa High School from 1948 to 1952. He competed 4 years in football and baseball. His 2 years on the varsity football team as offensive guard and defensive linebacker were championship seasons. The teams went 8-2 in 1950 and 10-0 in 1951 with notable victories over perennial Texas powerhouses Amarillo and Wichita Falls.
Dawrence was drafted into the US Army serving from 1954 to 1955, first in Korea and then in Japan as a trainer of large machinery mechanics. During his time in Japan he played on a military baseball team that held exhibition games with professional Japanese baseball clubs.
Dawrence married Marlene Kolb while finishing his schooling at Texas Tech and West Texas State from 1956 to 1958 where he earned a bachelors degree in Math. His family grew with the addition of 5 children as he worked in sales of pharmaceuticals.
Dawrence came to Porterville in 1968 teaming up with head coach Ron Kavadas to develop the football program. The 1970-1971 season, with Junior and below talent, went 8-2 and won the city championship. During the 1971-1972 season the Marauders first became known as the “Blue Machine” as they ground through their schedule to complete the perfect 10-0 season. Dawrence and Ron continued their coaching together from 1969 to 1977 as Ron completed his successful stent as the head coach.
Dawrence took over the head job from 1978 to 1986 continuing the “Blue” tradition emphasizing responsibility and academics as much as athletics. Dawrence would return the Marauders to league championship form in 1981 with a 9-1 season. Dawrence coached the East team in the 1982 Tulare Kings All Star game. Dawrence also took on the Athletic Director duties in 1984 and 1985 during which time he developed a modern fully equipped weight room. Dawrence stepped down from the head coaching position at the end of the 1986 season after 17 consecutive seasons of football coaching service to Monache.
Dawrence also coached JV Baseball at Monache from 1971 to 1976 and Girls JV Basketball from 1979 to1987. The girls 1979-1980 season brought Monache their first JV girls basketball league championship as the team went 16-3 overall and 10-0 in league. In this season Dawrence would meet and marry Joyce, the mother of Liz Phipps, one of his players. Joyce came to work at Monache for many years as a secretary loved by both staff and students.
Dawrence taught math for 30 years from 1968 until his retirement in 1998 with the same passion and commitment he brought to the athletic field. Many of his former math students are currently prominent math educators themselves in the Porterville School District.
Dawrence is 90 years young and surrounded by his large family which includes 18 grandkids and 15 great grandkids that continue to be an important part of his life. The influence his life has had on others is truly immeasurable.
Greg Hevener
Greg was born in Porterville to Hal and Judy Hevener and at age 5 the family moved to Springville where he attended Springville Elementary.
Greg and his sister Andrea were exposed to competitive swimming at a very young age due to their father’s coaching knowledge and personal achievements in aquatics on multiple levels.
As a member and starting goalie for Monache Varsity Water Polo (1987-1990) the program achieved 3 EYL titles and had a strong presence as valley contenders. As an individual recipient, Greg was awarded 1st Team EYL, EYL MVP, Co-MVP, 2nd team all CIF, and numerous school athletic awards. During his time on the Marauder’s Swim Team, Greg broke school records in the 50- and 100-yard freestyle and finished 3rd All Valley in the 50-yard freestyle his senior year.
After high school, Greg attended and played water polo at nationally ranked Pepperdine University under head coach Terry Schroeder from 1990 to 1994. In his 4 seasons, the team managed multiple Division I NCAA Championship appearances. During his sophomore season the team achieved a program best Division I NCAA 3rd place finish, defeating UC Irvine.
In his 4 seasons with Pepperdine Water Polo, Greg was honored with a Coaches Award, Captain Award, and Senior Award. Greg graduated with a BFA from Pepperdine University in the spring of 1994.
Greg currently resides in Seal Beach, CA and works in finance for a publicly traded diversified holding company. He enjoys surfing, golf, and is still competitive in masters swimming. Greg’s family includes his son Joseph, his parents Hal and Judy of Springville, and his sister Andrea Hevener-Bell, her husband Joe, and sons Stoddard and Max who reside in Manhattan Beach, CA.
Mitch Butler
Mitch Butler was the 3rd child of four born to Don and Barbara Butler. Little did they know the impact sports would have on their family’s future.
The Butler kids learned their basic athletic skills playing with neighborhood kids on weekends and during the summers. Butler’s first organized sport was little league baseball at the age of 9. Playing against boys 3 years older than him was traumatizing but beneficial to his baseball skills. His first serious interaction with all the sports was during Jr. High and City Babe Ruth league. Butler attended Pioneer Jr. High and played for Medics Babe Ruth team, where he met many of his fellow teammates he would play with during his high school years.
Butler entered high school in 1968 at the only high school in Porterville at the time, Porterville High. As a freshman, he played on Freshman football, basketball, and baseball teams. The high school split in 1969 and Monache High School was born. With no senior class the first year, Monache teams felt the agony of defeat more than the thrill of victory. However, the 1970-71 year was a complete turn around. With a senior class and one year varsity experience, Monache was able to hold its own in the league.
1971-72 became the year of all years for Monache High School in sports. Butler was selected to play quarterback by Coach Kavades regardless of his limited experience playing that position. It worked out well as Monache beat their arch enemy Tulare Union, moving to the #1 ranking in the valley and winning the league title with a 10-0 season.
Basketball proved to be as rewarding with Monache winning the league championship. Butler played starting guard and helped beat the perennial powerhouse Hanford High.
Baseball was Butler’s strongest and favorite sport. As a pitcher and outfielder, he was instrumental in leading the Marauders to the league championship. Butler was awarded MVP, Highest Batting Average and Co-Captain in the post season awards program.
Butler went on to play at Porterville College. This experience was made special by the opportunity to play baseball with his older brother, Mike. Mike had served 4 years in the Air Force, so upon his return he joined
Butler as a freshman. After leading the state with a batting average of 450 his sophomore year in Junior College, Butler committed to San Diego State, where he completed his career in baseball.
Butler’s competitive nature translated seamlessly to the citrus industry where he worked his way up through the ranks over 45 year span. In 1978 he met Nancy Knutson and they later married in May of 1981. They were blessed with 3 beautiful daughters, 8 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren.
Important lessons that Butler learned during his career in sports have shaped who he is today. He learned that when bad times come, learn from them but don’t dwell on them. When the good times come, slow down and enjoy them to the fullest. For all the confusing times in between, give them to the Lord!
Stan Sewell
Stanley Sewell grew up in Hanford, California, living there through his 8th grade year. Stan was drawn to sports early in life and most times could be found outside shooting baskets or down at the baseball field playing in a pickup baseball game. In his early sports experiences, Stan played 3rd base for the Little League Lions, who won the Hanford City Championship, and played center on the undefeated (45-0) Woodrow Wilson Warriors Junior High basketball team.
In the summer following his 8th grade year, Stan’s family moved to Porterville. Despite never playing organized football before, he tried out for the freshman football team just as a way to meet friends at his new school. He continued playing Football along with Basketball and Baseball all four years at Monache and went on to earn 9 Varsity Letters as a three-year starter in all three sports.
The Class of ’72 was one of the original founding classes at the birth of Monache as a new High School, and with that came a unique sense of pride, and a determination to establish a winning tradition in athletics for their young school. In Stan’s senior year, the Class of ’72 delivered on that goal, winning League Championships in Football, Basketball, and Baseball, leading the way for the Marauders to capture the EYL All Sports Trophy, and set the standard for those that would follow in their footsteps wearing the Blue and Gold.
In football, Stan was a starter on both Offense and Defense, playing Flanker and Safety for the Undefeated EYL Champion Marauders. He snagged 7 interceptions his senior year and earned Player of The Week recognition against Bullard High School.
Stan was co-captain on the basketball team and set the single game MHS rebound record with 19. He was Most Inspirational Player as a sophomore and earned 1st Team All-League Honors as a senior for the EYL Champion Marauders. A favorite memory was sinking two free throws with 3 seconds left to send the game into overtime against his old teammates in Hanford on their home court.
Nicknamed “Horsefeathers” by Coach Tom Rieger, Stan was a 3-year starter at 2nd base and was co-captain in baseball. Stan was selected 2nd Team All-League as a junior and earned 1st Team All-League Honors as a senior for the EYL Champion Marauders. He was also was named to the East – West All Star game.
Stan worked as a Real Estate Agent in the Porterville area for several years before moving to Southern California, where he owned and operated Lamppost Pizza for 15 years. His sports themed pizza parlor was one of the most popular spots in Anaheim for Little Leaguers, Pop Warner teams, and the local High School after game crowd. In 2002 Stan sold the Pizza Parlor and returned to his Real Estate roots, working as a Mortgage Loan Officer for 20 years.
Stan is now comfortably retired and living in Anaheim, California with his wife Kim.