Viking_Yearbook_64

1963 was a banner year and football a banner sport at Portland State as the Vikings swept aside all conference opponents for the school's first Oregon Collegiate Conference crown. In his first year as coach, Jerry Lyons led PSC to its best season record in history, six wins and two losses. High point and perhaps the most satisfying win of the season was the Homecoming game with Southern Oregon College . While the SOC game decided the league title in PSC's favor, it was also the first time the Vikings had ever defeated a team from SOC. The score was 19 to 14. Coach Lyons' first year as a college varsity mentor got off to a slow start as his Viks lost a close game to nationally– ranked Lewis and Clark . The other loss was to Linfield , also in the top 20 in national small college polls . But Portland State picked up six wins, finishing the football season holding the longest win streak in the college 's history, five games . While the success of the season can be attributed to a team effort, perhaps the name most associated with PSC football in 1963 was Billy "Bye-Bye" White . At 5'7" and 147 pounds, halfback White skittered over the gridiron for yardage that broke many s.chool records. Also instrumental in victory were quarterback Mike Schrunk , fullback Andy Berkis , end Jim Hollingsworth, who was named to the small college All-American team, and tackles Jim Gaul, Roy LaZelle and Gary Weber. 23