STAN’S INDUCTION DINNER INTO THE CAL ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME 

Introduction:

Stan took his sport from minor to major in a big way—not only in terms of national recognition for his record-breaking performances but also in terms of respect on the campus through his athletic and lobbying efforts. Swimming went from being a Circle C sport to Cal’s 7th big C sport in 1947…great accomplishments came after graduation. Using his B.S. in mechanical engineering and his considerable management skills, Stan has enjoyed a lengthy, successful, and ongoing professional career.

Stan's Acceptance Speech:

I have thought a long while about what to say tonight: it's a very emotional thing for me. I never thought that the day would come when this would happen to me and when I got word, over in Honolulu that morning about the nomination, I really was overwhelmed; my wife and I actually got tears in our eyes. I think that it is probably a greater thrill, being inducted tonight, than anything I ever experienced while swimming or playing water polo. I would like to say a word to my family and to all my friends who came from long distances to be here, several from Honolulu. My old high school swimming coach Heber Holloway came up from Southern California to be here tonight with his wife Teddy—he was elected to the USA Water Polo Hall of Fame in 1985. Also, my high school swimming mate Don Garman, up from Southern California and my friends from the Bay Area—my godson Christopher Dorward and his father Don Dorward. I can't tell you how much this had meant to me and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Quotations from a tribute video made during the dinner:

Heber Holloway, Stan’s High School swimming coach and mentor at Whittier High School:

Stan was one of the greatest swimmers that Whittier ever had, in fact he was the first one from the high school to go to the championships in Southern California. I’m also happy I twisted his arm and recruited him strongly to go to Cal…not because he was a good swimmer but because he was a good student and I knew he would profit from a good education.

Chuck Holloway: Stan was always my hero growing up: my father was his coach and I was his student.

Christie Holloway: Stan introduced me to abalone on the reef: we pounded it, we cooked it, we ate it, we had such a good time—and it was part of our history. Congratulations Stan.

Don Garman, 'high school swimming mate': We've only known each other since kindergarten and we are probably two of the last remaining Broadway Park Rascals. Anyway, great, great thrill for me to be here—you're a marvelous leader, beautiful guy. Next time we play you can give me two a side.

Best pals from Honolulu:

Eddie Sultan: We came up tonight because we heard Stanley was getting the award for golf and when we got here and heard it was swimming, we really didn’t know what to do...

Rab Guild: O.K. It was a swim, but we wouldn't have missed it for anything...

From his Claremont Country Golf Foursome:

Zook Todd: Stanley, you have never been my hero but if you'd been a Huskie- like you should have been - you'd have been in the Hall of Fame a long time ago.

Don Dorward:  Is this for Stanley? Is that why we are here? I came to see Joe Kapp. I guess Stanley had to get some kind of an award because he hadn't had one for so long and he's getting old.

Jack Elliott: R. Stanley Morketter, pal, we're proud of you -- we are with you all the way. It's a great night.

Stan's son Thierry:

I am very proud of my dad Stan Morketter.  He’s done a very great job and this will be a swell weekend.  Congratulations.