Geoff Dilkes
High School Honors
Soccer: 4 letters. All-PIL Honorable Mention as freshman and sophomore; All-PIL 1st team as junior; All-PIL 2nd team as senior. MVP 3 years; captain 4 years.
Baseball: 3 letters. 1st team All-PIL pitcher (9-0) and 2nd team All-PIL outfielder as a senior; undefeated against PIL competition; pitched a no-hitter; 3rd team All-State. State-Metro all-star pitcher. MAC Scholar Athlete Award. National Honor Society.
Post-High School Career
One baseball letter at Lane Community College. Injury ended his career. 1 year at University of Oregon. In his 11th year coaching North Portland Little League. In sports and tech sales for 20-plus years.
Commentary
Thank you. This is a very special honor that I am humbled and grateful to receive, as I have been watching PIL games my whole life. Roosevelt and the PIL provided an incredibly fulfilling high school experience, stacked with memories that are as fresh as if they happened yesterday. As I reflect, the things that really stand out are the relationships I made with my teammates, the battles I had on the field with extremely talented opponents, and the feeling of having family, friends, and classmates cheering from the stands – an incredible privilege to experience. I was so lucky to have a huge support group that made me feel like I was putting on a show every time I stepped onto the field.
I want to thank my parents, Greg and Kathy Dilkes. I credit them for every success I had on the field, as they instilled in me a love of sports, the desire to do my best, and the importance of teamwork in winning. The countless hours of putting up with me obsessing over whatever sport was in season (long live multi-sport athletes), driving me to games all over the state, and most of all, for providing me with a secure foundation of a safe andl oving family and home. I love you.
I want to thank my sister, Angi Dilkes, who showed me the path and how much work it took to thrive in the PIL (and what tough defense in soccer really looks like). I’m grateful for my grandparents coming to so many of my games and being such positive influences on my life -- Bob and Helen Stone, Sharon Harmsen, and Gene Dilkes.
I want to recognize my head coaches for soccer and baseball -- Coach Dan Malone, who believed in my soccer skills from the moment I stepped on campus as a freshman and never wavered, thank you. Coach Kevin Lovings, who saw my potential and gave me a shot as a starting pitcher my sophomore year on a very talented veteran team and continued to give me the confidence to feel untouchable every time I took the mound, thank you.
I am so lucky to have played with so many incredible teammates. A special thanks to Roger Alley, Mike Cavanaugh, Case Farnand, Isaac Wecker, Nick Porter, Justin Smith, and Seth Dominguez – we had quite a team. Dominick Hicks, Thavi, Steve, Antonio, Lincoln, Raja, and so many more soccer players.These guys were fun to play with. And riding the bus back to Roosevelt after beating a rival was the BEST feeling.
On that note, I want to thank the countless people who make PIL sports happen. The bus drivers, training staff, concession workers, custodians, referees, scorekeepers, announcers, boosters, coaches, band, cheer, etc. None of this would be possible without all of the support that these folks provide.Thank you all.
A special shout-out to my two sons, Clyde and Duke Dilkes, current and future 4th-generation Rough Riders. I love you and am so proud to be your dad. Go Riders!
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