2019 GCC Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees
Dave Grant
Coach Grant was a beloved member of GCC Athletics for over a quarter centruy. He served as Athletic Director At GCC for 18 years and as a resident Facutly member in the Englihs Department for 29 years. Dave served as the Arizona Community College Athletic Association Secretary for 10 years and President for a4 years. He served as Western States Football League Secretary and Treasurer for 10 years. Dave was also inducted into the ACCAC Fall of Fame in 2017.
At GCC, Dave headed the baseball program for 35 years and led the Gauchos to tow NJCAA College World Series, in addition to their numerous Regional Champtionships and Divisional Playoffs appearances. Coach Grant amassed over 1,000 wins across his career, influencing countless lives of young men, even coaching sons of former players. Coach was also President of the NJCAA Baseball Coaches Association for 6 years, and is a member of the NJCAA Coaches Hall of Fame, the ABCA Coaches Hall of Fame, the Arizona Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame, and the Brophy Prep Athletic Hall of Fame.
1967 GCC Cross Country Team - NJCAA National Champions
Coach: Richard Fuenning
Team Members: Leroy Black, Bob Cunningham, Mike Evans, Scott Giddings, Ed Gillespie, Greg Hancock, Joe Higuera, Bill Mothershed, Dave Palmer, Hank Stout, Leonard Sweeney, Barney Tearney.
The 1967 Glendale Community College Cross Country Team capped off an undefeated season by winning the prestigious Mt. Sac Invitational, the Long Beach Invitational, the Arizona Junior College Conference Championship, and the NJCAA National Championship in Long Island, New York.
Ralph Neighbors
Coach Neighbors spent 32 years as the Head Track & Field Coach for both Men's and Women's teams at Glendale Community College. He also volunteered his services to help at GCC. Ralph was named Coach of the Year in 2012. He was also inducted into the NJCAA Hall of Fame in 2006 and the ACCAC Hall of Fame in 2018. Coach Neighbor's track & field teams finished in 6th place in the 2012 Outdoor National Championships and placed 5th in the Indoor National Championships.
Bob Phillips
Bob Phillips played golf for two years for the Gauchos, and only lost one match. He won the State Championship in both years. He was chosen 2nd-Team All-American his first year and 1st-Team All-American during his second season. After leaving GCC, Bob went on to play on the PGA tour for over 3 years. He competed on the Southwest PGA tour, earning Player of the Year honors six times. During his career, he competed in 15 Phoenix and Tucson Opens. In addition, he played in the 1984 PGA Championship. He was elected into the Southwest PGA Hall of Fame in 2011.
