Jan. 14, 2015 SAN DIEGO- USD seniors Johnny Dee (men's basketball) and Grant Forrest (golf) are among a list of eight individuals who were selected as 2014 Amateur Stars of the Year by the San Diego Hall of Champions. The eight will be honored at the 69th Salute to the Champions on Monday, Feb. 23 at the Town & Country Hotel Convention Center, the same evening former San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson, baseball great Chris Chambliss and baseball/basketball standout Tony Clark will be inducted into the Breitbard Hall of Fame.
University of San Diego basketball standout Johnny Dee (who set the school career scoring record in January) and golfer Grant Forrest (WCC Player of the Year and St. Andrews Links Trophy winner) highlight a group of Toreros who were honored in 2014 as Stars of the Month by the San Diego Hall of Champions. USD student-athletes to be recognized as stars of the month included Louie Lechich (baseball), Christopher Anderson (men's basketball), Amy Kame (women's basketball), Sophia Ederaine (women's basketball), Malina Hood (women's basketball), Reggie Bell (football), Jonah Hodges (football), Michelle Campbell (women's rowing), Connor Brandt (men's soccer), Olivia Sandusky (softball), Clarke Spinosa (men's tennis) and Alaysia Brown (volleyball).
Gunn Yang, who became the first San Diegan to win the U.S. Amateur golf championship since Phil Mickelson in 1990. Gunn captured the match play title with a 2-1 victory at the Atlanta Athletic Club. The Torrey Pines High grad was ranked 667th in the world but became the first San Diego State University student to win since Breitbard Hall of Famer Gene Littler accomplished the task in 1953. Joining Yang off the SDSU campus are Aztec football standout D.J. Pumphrey (school record 1,867 yards rushing), basketball star Xavier Thames (MWC Player of the Year) and two-time NCAA triple jump champion Shanieka Thomas (school record 45-feet, 11 ½-inches).
The University of California San Diego honorees include swimmer Anji Shakya (NCAA Division II champion in the 500-yard freestyle) and baseball star Troy Cruz (.326 at the plate and 8-3 on the mound).
Tickets to the Salute to the Champions awards banquet are available by contacting Terri Rochon at terrir@sdhoc.com or by calling 619-699-2302.
ABOUT THE HALL OF CHAMPIONS
The SDHOC is an undisputed national leader in recognition of amateur, collegiate and professional sports excellence; youth sports-based education; and sports memorabilia exhibition. The Hall was launched by the Breitbard Athletic Foundation, which was founded in 1946 to recognize significant athletic achievement in San Diego. Through its vigilant focus on the community of San Diego and its betterment, SDHOC has developed an outstanding sports museum that enhances the quality of life for San Diegans through sports. For more information, please visit SDHOC
