SALLY PEARSON - Williams, CA

Basketball - 1968, 1969, 1970

Field Hockey - 1968, 1968, 1970

Softball - 1969, 1970

Swimming - 1966

Sally Pearson attended Chico State from 1966-71 where she participated in swimming, field hockey, basketball and softball. Sally has been described as an outstanding athlete…a natural.

As a teenager and in her early professional years, Sally was an integral part of the Youth Swim program in Williams, first as an outstanding swimmer and later as a coach. Sally also gained the respect of north valley professionals as an outstanding basketball and field hockey official. In fact, she represented North Section as a nationally rated college basketball official in College Play-offs in Fresno during the early '70's.

A teaching professional who actually changed his career from journalism to teaching (in large part due to Sally's influence) states: I always found Sally to be an outstanding communicator, dedicated coach and instructor, caring, passionate while always striving for excellence in herself and from her players/students.

Ms. Pearson is touted by another colleague as the physical educator/coach who established a winning tradition at Williams High School through her success in the coaching of volleyball, basketball and softball. At one point her teams won 12 consecutive volleyball league championships, four of those being undefeated seasons with two consecutive Section titles. Her teams also won two Softball Section titles. A big honor was when she was selected Coach of the Year by two local newspapers. In addition, the Millennium edition of the Tri-Counties newspaper recognized Pearson as one of the top 10 Tri-county coaches, ranking her #6 overall.

Her success has been accomplished through teaching the fundamental and a team approach, giving it her time, attention, and creativity, including the use of technology as part of her teaching/coaching.

Sally's softball playing career has spanned 30 years as a member of the Chico Peppers. She was a member of the Pepper 1993 National Championship Softball team in the 35 and over division and played on the second place Peppers team at Nationals in 1994. She was a member of the Peppers World Masters Silver Medalists in Australia, and a Gold Medal team member in Portland Oregon - 1998 at the Nike World Masters Games. Sally will return to Australia (in 2002) again as a Pepper, this time competing in the 45 and over category.

An avid golfer and member of Arbuckle Golf Club, Pearson was a part of the 1998 and 1999 Tierra Oaks Invitational Golf Tournament team winners. Sally was also among the winning four-some in the Canyon Oaks Invitational and helped the Arbuckle Golf Club team win the County Cup two consecutive years.

Williams High School Principal summed up his support for Sally's induction stating: she is our Superstar !