PSU Magazine Fall 2003

Truckers put competition aside for Athletics Diesel fuel apparenLly runs through the veins of the Viking Backers, the fund– raising arm of PSU Athletics. Four area leaders in the trucking industry, who are in direct competition with each other during business hours, have pm aside their differences after hours on behalf of PSU Athletics. First on the road is Peter Stoll, who as a PSU junior founded Market Transport Limited. He went on to make the first $1 million gift Lo Portland State Athlet– ics. Joining Stoll on the Backers is Bryan Smith, president of Alternative Transport Service; Richard "Dick" Fink, secretary-treasurer and partner at Gen– eral Transportation Services; and Rick Curl, vice president of operations at Curl's Hi-Tech Service Corporation. The laller three businessmen are fondly called the Trucking Triple Threat (TTT) by Mike Fletcher, Viking Backers executive director. Smith '84 and Fink '73, who both played offensive line for the Vikings, are the driving force behind the PSU Football Alumni Committee. The com– millee hosts several events each year, including the Coaches Open Golf Tournament, chaired by Smith, and the Football Awards Banquet, chaired by Fink. The two have volunteered hun– dreds of hours over the past five years Lo build a reputation for their commit– tee. Curl gets in on the action by pro– viding the most sought-after auction Get all of the latest sports news at www.GoViks.com . Game stories, statistics, schedules, team information, press releases, and much more are available and updated daily. You can also listen to live broadcasts of football and men's and women's basketball games, or archived broadcasts. Buy season and single game tickets online at www.GoViks.com or call 1-888-VIK-TIKS or 503-725-3307 . item at the Coaches Open: dinner for eight at his home with Coach Tim Walsh. The dinner has been auctioned off for more than $2,000, beating the price paid for a seven-day trip Lo Hawaii in 1999. The TTT attend every Viking foot– ball game. Each of them has a suite for the season and, as you might have guessed, they are on the same row. miLh serves as president of the Viking Backers. Fink and Curl serve on the planning and procurement committee for ight of Wine& Roses, another pre– mier fundraising event for Athletics. In addition , Curl and his father, Bob, owner of Curl's Hi-Tech, fre– quently drive the football team Lo and from the airport for road trips or move furniture across the counLry for a new Viking football assistant coach. The TTT's contributions have not gone unnoticed. Each received (in suc– cession) the Withers' Award, presented annually LO the Outstanding Friend of PSU Football. Fink was given the honor in 1999, followed by mith in 2000, and Curl in 2001. "All three men-despite working in a competitive industry-have shown us that people can come together and rally around a worthy cause: a football program, an athletic program, and a university," says Fletcher. Bryan Smith, Dick Fink, and Rick Curl (left to riglil), all leaders in the trucking industry, set their business competition aside when working for the Viking Backers. Athletics to induct eight into Hall of Fame Portland State Athletics will host its annual Hall of Fame Weekend Nov. 1- 2 in conjunction with the Portland State/Idaho State football game. The induction banquet will take place at 5:30 p.m. Friday, ov. 1, at the Multnomah Athletic Club. A half– time ceremony is also planned for the following day during the game. Being honored this year for making a difference in PSU athletics are Greg Bruce, women's basketball coach, 1986-96; Tony Champion, wrestling, 1989-92; John Nelson, men's basket– ball, 1962-66; Tom Oberg, football, 1966-67; Dave Robbins , cross country, 1967-70; Mary Ross, softball, 1980-83; Joy Russell , volleyball, 1990-93; and Charlie Stoudamire, basketball and football, 1969-72. For details and reservations for the ceremony, call 503-725-5629. D FALL 2002 PSU MAGAZlNE 29