Denver Skalbeck
High School Honors
3 football letters: 1st Team All-PIL defensive back as a junior and senior. 3rd Team All-State as a junior; 1st Team All-State and Shrine All-Star as a senior.
MAC Scholar Athlete as a sophomore. National Football Foundation scholarship award as a senior.
3 baseball letters: 2nd Team All-PIL utility player as a junior; 1st Team All-PIL utility player as a senior.
Post-High School Career
Two baseball letters, University of Portland, 1988-89. One baseball letter and B.A. degree in Finance, Portland State University, 1990-93.
Since 2009, owner/ operator of Your Inn Tavern in St. Johns.
Volunteer youth softball and colleyball coach for many years.
Commentary
The Hall of Fame. What an honor to be included with such a prestigious group of Portland-area athletes. I feel a profound gratitude and respect for the board that elected me. I am truly blessed with this prestigious award!
It has been almost 40 years since I tied up the turf shoes and put on the elbow pads and the extra knee pads and hopped on the bus for my last football game at the turf-covered concrete known as Civic Stadium. Those who have played there, you know what I’m talking about. I would almost trade the Hall honor to be able to go back to high school for one more season
Most if not all of the athletes miss the game but I think that most of us miss the competition, the camaraderie of the team, the locker room, your friends, coaches, the bus ride home after a big win, and even practice to some degree.
After the playing days are over the transition to not playing any more is hard for some and easy for others. My father told me my sophomore year, after I found out that I made the varsity football team, that if I ever made all-American he would buy me a new car. That didn’t happen but I think he would be very happy and proud to see me now! I miss you Pops!!!
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