Cal To Induct Six Bears Into Hall Of Fame

News5/23/2022 11:00 AM | By: Cal Athletics

Newest Class Will Be Enshrined Weekend Of Oct. 21-22

BERKELEY – Six Golden Bear standouts have been elected into the 36th class for the Cal Athletic Hall of Fame, and they will be enshrined the weekend of Oct. 21-22 in Berkeley. The elite group includes Olympians, national champions, a long-time coach and the creator of the “Bear Territory” chant.
 
Those who have been chosen for the Hall of Fame are:

• Nathan Adrian (men’s swimming, 2007-11) – eight-time Olympic medalist was a 10-time NCAA champion and an Academic All-American
• Valerie Arioto (softball, 2008-12) – the 2012 Pac-12 Player of the Year was a three-time All-American and a Tokyo Olympian
• Gavin Arroyo (men’s water polo, 1990-93) – a two-time All-American and three-time NCAA champion who played on two U.S. Olympic teams
• Ray Lehner (rugby, 1989-93) – led Cal to three national championships and capped 37 times with the U.S. National Team
• Peter Wright (men’s tennis head coach, 1993-2021) – Cal alum was a three-time Pac-12 Coach of the Year and led the Bears to 25 NCAA Tournaments
• Ahmad Anderson (football, 1979-82) – recipient of the Hall of Fame Service Award authored the “Bear Territory” chant in 1982.

Formal induction ceremonies are scheduled for Friday, Oct. 21, at the annual Hall of Fame banquet. The ceremony will also include the induction of the Class of 2021, whose induction was delayed due to the COVID pandemic. Information on the location and how to purchase tickets will be available on the Big C Society website and will be announced once they are finalized. The new inductees will also be honored on the field during Cal’s Oct. 22 football game vs. Washington at FTX Field at California Memorial Stadium.
 
With the addition of the new members, the Cal Athletic Hall of Fame now features 331 individuals and seven rowing teams. The school’s Hall of Fame, which is located on the west side of Memorial Stadium and is open to all ticket holders after each home football game, was inaugurated in 1986.
 
NATHAN ADRIAN – Men’s Swimming & Diving (2007-11)

One of the swimming world’s most prolific sprinters in history, Adrian is an eight-time Olympic medalist, including five gold medals, and has competed in three Olympic Games (2008, 2012, 2016). He won gold in the 100-meter freestyle at the 2012 London Games and more recently captured four medals at the 2016 Olympics in Rio. In addition,…