SALEM, Ore.- The Willamette University Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2025 has been announced by Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Rob Passage. The Class of 2025 includes four former Bearcat student-athletes, one former coach, and two outstanding teams. The Hall of Fame induction ceremony is set for Saturday, June 14, and will be held in Hudson Hall inside the Rogers Music Center. The ceremony is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. PDT and is part of the larger Alumni Reunion Weekend taking place on campus June 13-15, 2025.
Individuals selected for induction into the Class of 2025 were swimmer Kim (Clarkson) Phillips, cross country and track & field athlete Michaela Freeby, multi-sport athlete Fidel Gaviola, track & field student-athlete Tyler May, and softball coach Damian Williams. The teams to be inducted are the 1971-72 men's basketball team and the 2004 men's track & field team.
Kim (Clarkson) Phillips BS'80, Women's Swimming
Clarkson was a three-time national team member (1977, 1978, 1980) and a two-time All-American (1978, 1980). She won four NWC titles, including the 100m and 200m breaststroke and 100m individual medley in 1978, and the 200m breaststroke in 1980. At the time of her graduation, she held Willamette records in the 100m breaststroke, 200m breaststroke, and 400m medley relay. After her athletic career, she became head coach of McNary High School's swimming and golf teams, earning Oregon Coach of the Year honors multiple times before retiring.
Michaela Freeby BA'15, Women's Cross Country/Track & Field
Freeby won the Jean Williams Award in 2015 and competed in eight consecutive NCAA Championships (four in cross country and four in track & field)—the only Willamette athlete to do so. In cross country, she placed 8th at the NCAA Championships and won the NWC Individual Championship in 2013 while helping her team secure conference titles in 2013 and 2014. She was the 2013 West Regional Champion and was named West Region Women's Cross Country Athlete of the Year. She earned First Team All-NWC and All-West Region honors multiple times. In track & field, she was a three-time NWC Champion in the 3,000m steeplechase (2012, 2013, 2015) and won the 1,500m NWC title in 2014. She competed in four NCAA Championships for the steeplechase, finishing 4th in 2013 and 2015.
Fidel Gaviola BA'62, Baseball, Basketball, Track & Field
Gaviola was a standout multi-sport athlete at Willamette, earning nine varsity letters across baseball and basketball. He was a First Team All-NWC selection in baseball (1960, 1962) and basketball (1961), as well as a First Team All-District honoree in both sports. In 1962, he ranked #2 in NWC basketball scoring. A clutch performer, he scored the final 10 points in the 1959 basketball championship game, securing a victory over Linfield. Beyond athletics, he dedicated over 30 years to education, serving as a teacher, coach, counselor, and principal in Department of Defense Dependents Schools across Puerto Rico, Europe, the Middle East, and the Far East.
Tyler May '05, Men's Track & Field
May was a two-time NCAA All-American in the decathlon, finishing 3rd at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in both 2004 and 2005. He won the 2004 NWC Decathlon Championship with 6,507 points and earned top finishes in other events, placing 2nd in the high hurdles (2005, 14.44) and 6th in the 400m (2005, 48.70) at the NWC Championships. He set a Willamette record in the decathlon with 7,107 points, which ranked #7 all-time in NCAA Division III at the time.
Damian Williams, Softball Coach (1999-14, 2016-19)
Willamette University's winningest coach in a single sport, he set the school record with 358 career wins on April 13, 2019, finishing with a career record of 361-365 (271-249 in NWC play). He led the Bearcats to six consecutive 20-win seasons from 2005 to 2010, during which the team posted a combined record of 143-74 (.659). Under his leadership, Willamette earned NWC Tournament berths in 2011, 2012, and 2014. In 2000, he was named NWC Coach of the Year after guiding the Bearcats to a 25-10 overall record and a second-place conference finish at 15-6.
1971-72 Men's Basketball
The 1971-72 Willamette men's basketball team finished with an impressive 23-6 overall record, capturing the NWC co-championship with an 11-3 conference record and winning the NAIA District 2 title. This marked the Bearcats' first conference championship in over a decade and their last until 1988. In the District 2 playoffs, Willamette defeated George Fox 69-60 and co-NWC champion Lewis & Clark 89-71, securing a spot in the NAIA National Tournament in Kansas City. Coach Jim Boutin was honored as District 2 Coach of the Year and Northwest Small College Coach of the Year. Several players received individual recognition, with Doug Holden earning All-NWC and All-District honors, alongside accolades for Mike Coleman, Rich Grady, Dave Steen, and Bob Hansen.
2004 Men's Track & Field
The 2004 men's track team had a historic season, tying for 3rd at the NCAA Division III National Championships and winning the Northwest Conference title. Nick Symmonds led the way with a national title in the 800m, while Jake Stout (4th), Aaron Hollingshead (6th), and Scott Overby (7th) dominated the 3000m steeplechase. Tyler May's 3rd-place decathlon finish and strong performances from Nate Matlock (hammer, 6th) and Zach Larsen (high jump, 8th) added key points. At the NWC Championships, the team had individual titles from Symmonds (800m), Stout (steeplechase), Matlock (discus, hammer), Larsen (high jump), Jonas Welch (long jump), Letwon Canton (triple jump), Brett McNeil (pole vault), and Brennan Garrelts (110m hurdles).
