The Hall of Fame Committee joined up with the AHS Boosters for the first time this year

ATASCADERO — On the evening of Saturday, Nov. 2, the Pavillion on the Lake was packed with Atascadero High School (AHS) sports fans, family, alums, and past inductees for the 18th Annual Greyhound Foundation Athletic Hall of Fame. Everyone was there to recognize the seven new inductees being added into the fold of previous athletes and AHS sports supporters.

“I’m honored to be a part of this special occasion where we get to celebrate the excellence, dedication, and achievement [of the inductees],” said AHS Director of Athletics Sam DeRose at the start of the night. “That’s not AI, that’s me. Your contributions and legacy have made a lasting impact on our school community. You represent the best of the best.” 

Those there to celebrate the seven new members of the Hall of Fame were treated to a delicious meal prepared by Andrew Weatherly, like in years past. Along with the meal was a selection of wine and beer provided by Wild Fields Brewhouse.

“Benjamin Franklin once said, ‘If you would not be forgotten as soon as you are dead, either write something worth reading or do something worth writing,'” said emcee Christian Cooper during his opening speech. “All our inductees this evening have done just that. They have done something worth writing.”

The inductees and their families and friends flew in from all over for the ceremony this year, from neighboring cities to Paris and everywhere in between. Cooper introduced all seven inductees, and each one gave heartfelt speeches that made the audience laugh and, more than once brought tears to the eyes of many there.

The 2024 Atascadero Greyhound Foundation Athletic Hall of Fame inductees are:

GARRY BRILL

Community Supporter

Brill is best known as the guy who got the Greyhounds on the radio. In 1979 he won the rights to broadcast Greyhound football games on KIQO (104.5), which he owned. After selling the station and the games going off the air, he was the one who got them back on by finding announcers and sponsors for the broadcast. Thanks to him, the Greyhounds have been on the air for the last 37 years.

ALYSSA PALMA

Class of 2011

During her AHS career, Palma earned eight letters: four in basketball, one in volleyball, and three in track. She was also the 2012 Cuesta College women’s basketball MVP and finished her career with two full-ride scholarships to Adams State and CSU East Bay.

DAN McNAMARA

Class of 1976

McNamara earned five letters during his time at AHS, two in football and three in track and field. He was also All-Leage and All-CIF safety in football and broke records for his high jump. He was also inducted into the Fresno State Hall of Fame in 2009. Since 1983, he has coached track and field and cross country, including Olympic athletes. 

DEVIN BARBER

Class of 2011

Barber earned five letters during his time at AHS, including four in tennis and one in basketball. He was the #1 singles player, team captain, and MVP in tennis in three of his four years and co-MVP the other. He was also the CIF regional champion in doubles with his twin brother. He was also a four-year letterman at Cal Poly and continued on to coach on the professional tour. 

JACOB NORLOCK

Class of 2008

At AHS, Norlock earned six letters, two in football, two in basketball, and two in track. He also earned Atascadero Male Athlete of the Year in 2007-08. He went on to play football at Cal Lutheran University as a linebacker. 

JEFF BALLINGER

Class of 1978

Ballinger earned six letters while at AHS, two in football and four in track and field. He was the AHS Male Athlete of the Year in 1978. In his senior year, he was named the football league’s Offensive Player of the Year. He also set the school record for rushing yards in a game, with 280 yards. It’s still AHS’s second-highest single-game total. He went on to teach track at the high school level.

KARA FERREL

Class of 1996 

During her time at AHS, Ferrel earned six letters. Four in softball and two in volleyball. In 1995, she was All-League and Scholar Athlete in volleyball. She was the MVP for Cuesta softball and set the school’s batting average record with 0.433. She finished out her softball career at Mesa State College and has coached 21 different seasons of softball and golf at AHS.

This year, the Hall of Fame Inductee Dinner was hosted by the AHS Athletics Booster Club for the first time, and they will continue to do so in the coming years. To find out more about the Hall of Fame and see past inductees, go to ahsgreyhoundboosters.com/hall-of-fame.

Feature Image:  (From left) Alyssa Palma, Devin Barber, Jeff Ballinger, Garry Brill, Jacob Norlock, Kara Ferrel, and Dan McNamara were inducted into the 2024 Atascadero Greyhound Foundation Athletic Hall of Fame. Photo by Rick Evans