Portland State Magazine Fall 2015

FALL 2015 PORTLAND STATE MAGAZINE 29 Looking Back SINCE 1975 a magnificent two-foot metal sculpture has memorialized a great Portland State football player and honored those who have contributed to the program. The Charles Withers Memorial Award, which sits in the Athletics Department in the University Center Building, combines the symbols of the PSU Vikings with the modern game of football. Mounted atop a walnut base, a skillfully welded horned-helmet hangs from a sword like one used by an early Norse seafaring raider, the weapon piercing a sculpted football. The award honors the memory of Chuck Withers, a former all-conference player of the mid-’50s—a time when the Portland State football program was in its infancy. The trophy was designed and created by our former teammate Gary Hamblet, and I helped make sure it saw the light of day. Chuck was the most competitive football player on our Ralph Davis-coached 1955 team. He was our inspirational leader. Sadly, he died unexpectedly in 1973 at the age of 38. Gary was an artist and a skilled metal worker. His finished product wowed first-year athletics director Roy Love. Since the unique sculpture stood out from traditional trophies, Roy decided the award should be used to honor those who have made a significant contribution to the football program. The last recipient of the award was supporter Tim Boyle, CEO of Columbia Sportswear. – written by Bob Gill, former Portland State student and quarterback under Ralph Davis  A trophy tribute