Note: If you have some additional names of noteworthy current or past North State athletes or events, please write and tell us. Our definition of "North State" includes Shasta county and the counties of Butte, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, Siskiyou, Tehama and Trinity. 
 

ATHLETES:

Butte County

Kathy Arendsen (Chico St.): 13 time ASA All-American. National Softball Hall of Fame.
Isaac Austin (Gridley): 6’10” Center playing 8 seasons in NBA. Voted NBA’s Most Improved Player in 1997.
Larry Allen (Butte College): Eleven-time Pro Bowl guard with the NFL Dallas Cowboys. 14 years in NFL
Emily Azevedo (Chico): US Women's Bobsled - 2010 Olympian
Kevin D. Brown (Oroville): 1990-1992 in MLB with Mets, Mariners and Brewers.
Ron Brown (born in Oroville): Linebacker with NFL Oakland Raiders in 1987 and 1988 seasons
Don Burke (born in Chico): Linebacker playing 5 years with NFL 49ers; Played in 1948 Rose Bowl.
Jim Campbell (Oroville): Pitched one season for the MLB Kansas City Royals.
Eileen Canney (Paradise): Pitcher - USA Women's National Softball Team
Haley Cope (Chico): Champion swimmer and World Record holder; Silver Medalist 2004 Olympics.
Leslie Deniz (Gridley): Discus Silver medalist at 1984 Olympics.
Doug Dressler (Chico St.): Running back playing from 1970-75 mostly with NFL Cincinnati Bengals.
Pat Gillick (Chico): Long time GM in MLB with Blue Jays, Phillies, and others. Baseball Hall of Fame
Dave Hudgens (Oroville): First baseman with MLB Oakland A's in 1983; Hitting coach with A's, Astros, others.
Bill James (Oroville): Won 26 games in 1914 for his World Series champion Boston Braves.
Brian Keyser (Chico): Pitched two seasons for MLB Chicago White Sox in 1995 and 96.
Evan MacLane (Chico): Pitcher with MLB St. Louis Cardinals in 2010.
Jeff Maehl (Paradise): Wide Receiver for NFL Texans and Eagles 2011-14.
George Maderos (Chico St.): "Athlete of the Century" at Chico State. DB with NFL 49ers in 1956 and 1957.
Vance McHenry (Chico): Shortstop with MLB Seattle Mariners in 1981 and 1982.
Nathan Parks (Durham): OG/OT for 3 seasons with NFL Kansas City Chiefs and Oakland Raiders.
Danny Payne (Chico St.): Played in North American Soccer League (NASL) for Atlanta in 1981 and 1982.
Aaron Rodgers (Chico): Quarterback with NFL Green Bay Packers since 2005; Their #1 Draft pick in 2005.
Doug Rogers (Born in Chico): Defensive End in NFL 1982-86 with Atlanta, New England and San Francisco.
Mike Sherrard (Chico): NFL Wide Receiver for 11 seasons with several teams. 1986-1996
Chris Verhulst (Chico St.): Tight End with NFL Houston Oilers in 1988 and 99, and Denver Broncos in 1990.
Deanne Vochatzer (Chico St.): Head Coach of the USA Women's 1996 Olympic Track and Field team.
Ward Walsh (Paradise): Running back with NFL Houston Oilers and Green Bay Packers in 1971 and 1972.
Wally Westlake (Gridley): 1947-56 MLB Outfielder with six teams; 1951 All-Star. 
Mike Whited(Chico): Tackle for 1980 Detroit Lions

Glenn County

Ace Adams (Willows): Relief pitcher for MLB New York Giants 1941-46; Won 41 games; 1943 All-Star.
Kyle Lohse (Hamilton City): MLB pitcher for Twins, Reds, Phillies, Cardinals and Brewers. 

Lassen County

Hardin Barry (Susanville): Pitched 3 games for MLB Philadelphia A's in 1912.
Burt Delavan (born in Westwood): Offensive lineman for NFL Chicago Cardinals in 1955 and 1956.
Frank Ernaga (Susanville): Played 29 games for the MLB Chicago Cubs in 1957 and 1958.
Jack Ellena (Susanville): OG/LB with NFL L A Rams in 1955 & 56. 1954 UPI Lineman of the Year; UCLA HOF
Dan Hawkins (born in Fall River Mills): University of Colorado head football coach. Big Valley High.
Gary Nolan (Herlong): Pitched 10 MLB seasons winning 110 games and 2 World Series rings with Reds.
Mike Skinner (Susanville): NASCAR driver; 1996 Super Truck Champion; 1997 Cup Series Rookie of the Year.

Modoc County

Kayte Christensen (Alturas): Played 5 seasons mostly with WNBA Phoenix Mercury; Basketball host and analyst. 

Plumas County

Cody Anderson (Quincy): Pitcher, MLB Cleveland Indians.
Patrick Cottini (Quincy): 1996 Paralympic Bronze medalist in 5000m and Marathon.
Jason Ellison (born in Quincy): Outfielder 2003-08 with MLB Giants, Mariners, Reds and Rangers.
Tucker Larrieu (Portola): Pro Endurocross.
Alice Marble (Beckwourth.): International Tennis Hall of Fame. 1939 & 1940 AP Female Athlete of the Year.
George Quellich (Johnsville): Outfielder with MLB Detroit Tigers in 1931.
Mike Wells (born in Quincy): Tight End for NFL San Francisco 49er's in 1987.

Siskiyou County

Ted Alflen (born in Dunsmuir): Running Back with NFL Denver Broncos in 1969; 1970 CFL season with Montreal
Dave Bennett (Yreka): Pitched in 1964 with MLB Philadelphia Phillies. Dennis Bennett is his brother.
Erik Bennett (Yreka): Pitched two seasons with MLB Minnesota Twins and Angels. Dave Bennett is his father.
Nelson Briles (Dorris): Pitched 14 MLB seasons winning 129 games, plus 3 World Series wins. 1965-1978
Pat Clements (McCloud): Pitched 8 MLB seasons 1985-92 for several teams including the Yankees.
Ray Coleman (Dunsmuir): Outfielder played 5 MLB seasons primarily with St. Louis Browns (now Orioles).
Nick Eddy (Dunsmuir): 1966 All-American RB at Notre Dame and finished 3rd in Heisman voting; 5 years in NFL.
Bernie Hughes (born in Dorris): Played C/OG 1932-36 in NFL, 3 years with Chicago Cardinals; All-Pro in 1934
Gabe Jennings (Forks of Salmon): 2000 NCAA 1500m Champion; All-American; 2000 Olympic Team member.
Tim Meamber (Yreka): Linebacker with NFL Minnesota Vikings in 1985.
Dr. Harold "Brick" Muller (born in Dunsmuir): 1920 Olympic silver medal in high jump; 2-time 1st team All-American at Cal-Berkeley; 1921 Rose Bowl MVP; Pro football with LA Buccaneers; College Football HOF.
Duke Schamel (Tulelake): Linebacker for 1983 NFL Miami Dolphins.
Will Sherman (Weed): Outstanding NFL Defensive back primarily with NFL Los Angeles Rams 1954-62.
Aaron Thomas (Weed): Tight End 1961-1970 mostly with NFL New York Giants. 1 Pro Bowl appearance. 

Tehama County

Bev Anderson-Abbs (Red Bluff): Top ranked USTA Ultra Runner. 2007 Masters Runner of the Year.
Mark Acre (Corning): MLB baseball pitcher with Oakland A's 1994-97.
Toby Adams (Red Bluff): Former PRCA National Finals Rodeo saddle bronc rider.
Joe Baumgartner (Red Bluff): 15 time PRCA National Finals and 16 times PBR Finals bullfighter.
Tom Bruce (born in Red Bluff): Swimmer won Gold and Silver medals at 1972 Olympics.
Chuck Cecil (born in Red Bluff): Hard hitting Safety played in the NFL 1988-1995. 1992 Pro Bowl.
Clay Dalrymple (Dairyville/Chico): Outstanding catcher for 12 MLB seasons 1960-71. Earned WS Ring in 1970.
Jim Davis (Red Bluff): 1954-57 with MLB Chicago Cubs. 24-26 Won/loss record.
Jesse Freitas (Red Bluff): Quarterback in NFL 1946-49, two seasons with 49ers.
Al Geiberger (born in Red Bluff): Professional golfer with 11 PGA wins and 1 Major.
Gale Gilbert (Red Bluff): NFL QB participated in 5 straight losing Super Bowls with Bills & Chargers.
Bob Grim (Red Bluff): Wide Receiver 1967-77 for NFL Giants and Vikings playing in 1971 Pro Bowl.
Lee Grissom (Red Bluff): 8 MLB seasons 1934-41 with a pitching record of 29 wins and 48 losses.
Marv Grissom (Red Bluff): 10 MLB seasons. Star reliever for Giants 1953-58, winning game 1 in 1954 WS.
Roy "Pop" Joiner (Red Bluff): Pitched three Major League seasons, beginning in 1934 w/Cubs.
Mort Kaer (Red Bluff): USC football great. (All-American) Placed 5th in the pentathlon at 1924 Olympic games; Coach at Weed High for 27 years.
Bill Redell (Red Bluff): Six seasons QB/CB in CFL; College Football HOF.
"Swede" Risberg: (moved to Red Bluff after career): Banished from baseball for 1919 Black Sox scandal.
Ron Stone (Corning): Outfielder played 5 years MLB with A's and Phillies.
Jeff Stover (Corning): Starting Defensive End with NFL San Francisco 49ers 1982-88, earning 3 Super Bowl rings.

Trinity County

EVENTS:

BABE RUTH PLAYS BASEBALL IN DUNSMUIR

On October 22, 1924, Babe Ruth played an exhibition game in Dunsmuir with players from Mount Shasta and Dunsmuir. As part of Ruth's nationwide barnstorming tour, Yankee teammate Bob Meusel and Manager Christy Walsh joined the "Bambino". Ruth's team won that day with the "Sultan of Swat" hitting two homeruns. Before the game started Ruth instructed the pitcher to throw the ball over the plate. Ruth said, "the people didn't come here to watch me walk". The game was sponsored by the Dunsmuir Lions Club and drew over 900 people to the game.

RED BLUFF ALL-STARS PLAY FOR 1974 LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES TITLE

In 1974 Red Bluff All-Stars met the team from Taiwan to play for the Little League World Series Championship. The game was televised by ABC-TV and Baseball Hall of Famer Carlton Fisk served as commentator. Red Bluff beat Venezuela 4-3 to reach the finals; however, Taiwan stomped the All-Stars 12-1 in the championship game. Mark Keluche, a Wintu Indian who weighed 240 pounds and stood 5'8" as a 12-year old, was the star pitcher on the team. Boyd Hedden was the talented #2 pitcher. Other Red Bluff team members included Greg Shoff ,1B; Jeff Gleason, 2B; Don Howard, SS; Mark Cox, CF; Scott Hatfield, RF; Rocky Ponciano, 3B; Gale Gilbert, C; Paul Adams, Jerry Baer, Ken Benefield, Scott Diehl and Cevin Dietz. Jack Gleason was the Manager and Milon Howard served as Coach.

Two Favorites From Our Neighbors On The Northern California Coast

Elta Cartwright (Eureka): Was America's top female sprinter from 1925-28. Tied the world record in the 100m winning the U.S. Olympic Trials in 1928. This made her the first woman ever to qualify for a U.S. Olympic team. Competed in 1928 Amsterdam Olympics but was ill from the ocean voyage.

Karen Logan (Fortuna): A natural athlete. Played for the All-American Redheads. Featured in May 6, 1974 Sports Illustrated article. Pioneer and spokesperson for first Women's Professional Basketball League (WBL). Her silhouette was used for the logo. Developed smaller basketball now used in WNBA and other programs. Defeated Jerry West in a game of HORSE on CBS' nationally televised "Battle of the Sexes". Finished 2nd in the first ever Women's SUPERSTAR competition. A questionable decision kept her from being champion. Pepperdine University Athletic HOF. (Note: Deserves to be a member of both the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame).