2017 Inductees
Nikki Blue
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Nikki Blue (class of 2002), an outstanding athlete who lettered in 4 sports and, as a senior, was named a Parade Girls’ Basketball All-American and WBCA All-American. After a stellar career at UCLA, she played 5 seasons in the WNBA. She has been on the CSUB women’s basketball coaching staff since 2014.
J. Eric Bradshaw (class of 1976), a three-sport athlete and a member of the forensics team at West, he practiced law in Bakersfield before being appointed by Gov. Schwarzenegger to the Kern County Superior Court in 2008. Richard Bridges (class of 1967, being honored posthumously), a three-sport athlete at West and in college. After retiring from a distinguished, award-winning career in law enforcement, he pursued a second career in teaching and coaching wrestling. Mike Butcher came to West High in 1966 as a PE teacher and football and track coach. Following his years at West, he was Physical Education and Health Education Director for the Kern County Superintendent of Schools and subsequently served as superintendent of Belridge Elementary School District. Lisa Kiggens D’Amore (class of 1990) competed very successfully on the boys’ golf team all four years at West, helping the team win the CA State championship in her junior and senior years. After one year at UCLA, in which she won several awards, including first-team All-American, she joined the LPGA circuit. Carl Dean (class of 1992) was an outstanding quarterback at West, BC, and San Jose State. In 1996, he was awarded the Burger King Scholar Athlete $10,000 Academic Scholarship. He is now professor of Health and Physical Education at BC and Renegades’ offensive coordinator. Don Gabbitas joined West as a History and Government teacher in 1970, coaching baseball, basketball, and golf. His golf team won the CA State championships in 1989 and 1990. He was very involved with extracurricular activities, including being senior class advisor for 25 years. Randy Maples (class of 1981), an outstanding football, basketball, and baseball athlete and Tyack Trophy recipient in 1981, who also had a distinguished football and baseball career at BC, after which he played two years in the minor leagues for the Philadelphia Phillies. He is now a special education teacher and coach for the Kern High School District. Chuck Holloway (class of 1976) won many awards as a three-sport athlete at West. He played football at BC and was All-Conference his sophomore year. He was recruited by the University of Texas where, as a senior, he received Chevron’s Most Valuable Player award. Rich Tucker joined West when it opened in 1965 as the head of Boys’ Physical Education and coached four sports over the years. He also introduced a fitness program which won many awards, including Marine Corps Youth Fitness National Championship in 1978. After his West High years, he was principal of Garces and superintendent at Maricopa Unified and at Bishop High School. |
