1999 Hall of Fame Inductee

JESS E. CASTILLO, JR. &endash; Chico, CA
Baseball &endash; 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966
Football &endash; 1961, 1963, 1964, 1965

An All Far-Western Conference Team Selection in football 1964 and selected to the All-Centennial Team in football 1969, the city and campus community of Chico is proud that Jess is being inducted into the CSU, Chico Hall of Fame.

As any outstanding athlete at Chico High School, it was but a short hop across Warner Street into stardom at the university.

After graduation, Jess established himself as an outstanding baseball coach. In the 17 years of coaching, he won the Division I Sac-Joaquin Section Championship in 1986 and was named Sacramento Metro Area Coach of the Year in 1987. As outstanding as he was as a coach, greater were his administrative skills in getting things accomplished. He facilitated completion of the Newman Stadium at the Casa Roble High School in 1980 and was the school's athletic director for 10 years. As athletic director and administrator, Jess received many honors: Sac-Joaquin Athletic Director of the Year, District Peer Administrator Recognition, Capital Athletic League Commissioner, Capital Athletic League President, and current athletic liaison to C.I.F. for the Association of California School Administrators.

Jess attributes his success as a teacher/coach/administrator to the educational background received at CSU, Chico. The values of determination, hard work, teamwork, and goal setting through his athletic experiences have been invaluable in his career.

As principal of Casa Roble Fundamental High School, Jess was given the task of making his school one where all cultures are celebrated and embraced, not only in sports, but academics as well. Charley Berger, director of high schools for the San Juan Unified School District has stated, If we are to look to the sports program as a place where diversity is celebrated and keep it as a part of our curriculum on campus, we need to desperately find more young Jess Castillos!

In 1998 Jess Castillo became a member of the Chico Sports Hall of Fame.