A National League (NL) All-Star, Duke  Snider was elected to the  National Baseball Hall of Fame  in 1980. He was named to the National League (NL) All-Star roster eight times and was the NL Most Valuable Player (MVP) runner-up in 1955 to teammate Roy Campanella  by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.  In his 16 out of 18 seasons with the Dodgers, he helped lead the Dodgers to six World Series, helping them win championships in 1955 and 1959. He spent most of his Major League Baseball (MLB) career playing for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers (1947–1962), later playing one season each for the New York Mets (1963) and San Francisco Giants (1964). Following his retirement from baseball, Snider became a popular and respected TV/radio analyst and play-by-play announcer for the San Diego Padres from 1969 to 1971 and for the Montreal Expos from 1973 to 1986. Snider later appeared in various television shows and movies playing himself and other roles. Played basketball, football, and baseball at Compton Senior High School, class of 1944. 

A 2009 first round draft pick and 9th overall in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Selected by the Toronto Raptors. He was the franchise icon from 2009 until  2018 when he was traded to the San Antonio Spurs. DeRozan was an NBA All-Star in 2018 for the fourth time in five years. Member of  the United States 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics team.  Varsity basketball team member all four years at Compton high school. As a freshman, he averaged 26.1 points and 8.4 rebounds and over 22 points and 8 rebounds each following year. DeRozan led Compton High School to a 26-6 record, a second consecutive Moore League championship and the CIF Division IAA Southern Section quarter-finals , Moore League Most Valuable Player and California All-State team as a senior. DeRozan was a member of the 2008 McDonald’s All-American Team, and also won the 2008 McDonald’s All-American Slam Dunk Competition. He was also invited to play in the 2008 Jordan Brand Classic at Madison Square Garden and the Nike Hoop Summit, where he scored a team-high 17 points. DeRozan earned first-team Parade All-American honors and First Team Best in the West honors. Compton Senior High School, class of 2008.

Violet Palmer  2018

Professional Basketball Official

National Basketball Association (NBA) and the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). The first female official in any of the four major professional sports.  Just a year after the WNBA started, Violet Palmer joined the NBA—as its first female referee. NCAA Division II National Champion in 1985 and 1986 with Cal Poly Pomona. In her career, Palmer served as a referee for 919 NBA contests, also becoming the first woman to officiate a postseason game when she did so in 2006. She then went on to officiate eight additional NBA playoff games over the remainder of her tenure in the league. She then served as a manager in the league’s  operations department responsible for the training and evaluation of officials. Compton Senior High School , class of  1982.

Member of the National Football League Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Colts, and  Washington Redskins. Named to the All-Pro team three times.  Participated in Super Bowl V and VII, beating Dallas in SB V while with the Baltimore Colts and losing to the undefeated Miami Dolphins in SB VII as a member of the Washington Redskins. Cousin of NFL great Marvin Fleming.  Played basketball alongside Compton’s great Freddie Goss and  football at Compton Senior High School, class of 1961.

Marvin Lawrence  Fleming  2018

Professional football

Member of the National Football League Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame and the undefeated ’72 Super Bowl Champion Miami Dolphins. Played in five Super Bowls and seven NFL championships.  All American at the University of Utah and the first African American Associated Student Body President in the University’s history. Played on the 59′ CIF Basketball Championship team. All League and All American in Football at  Compton Senior High School, class of 1959.

Timothy W. Wright, III, J.D.  2010

Presidential Appointee

Dr. Timothy Wright  served as President William Clinton’s first Director of Domestic Policy and in various capacities in the administrations of Presidents Clinton, George H. Bush and George W. Bush, as well as Chief of Staff for U.S. Representative for Illinois’s 1st congressional district Bobby L. Rush, Special Counsel. Director of Intergovernmental Affairs for former Chicago Mayor Harold Washington.   Compton Senior High School, class of 1973.  

Alvin Ray “Pete” Rozelle 2010

National Football League Commissioner

 National Football League (NFL) Commissioner on January 26, 1960 as the youngest Commissioner in the history of all four major sports.  Retired as Commissioner of the NFL in 1989. Known as the father of The Super Bowl.  Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1989.  Lettered in basketball and baseball at Compton Senior High School, class of 1944.

William “Bill” Armstrong  2010

Basketball Coach

A charter member of the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Sports Hall of Fame.  Two-Time “National Coach of the Year” (’68 &’69) and Four-Time CIF Southern Section “Coach of the Year (’61 ’63, ’68 & ’69) with an overall coaching record that included undefeated back- to-back National Championships in 68′ and ’69 
 Coach Armstrong’s record of 66 consecutive wins is still a CIF  State record.  

Hugo Salcedo 2018

Soccer Player/Coach

Member of the 1972 U.S. Olympic soccer team and 1971 U.S. Pan American Games  team.  Head soccer coach at Whittier College. In 1978, he became an assistant coach at UCLA. In 1976, he joined the USSF Board of Directors and has held positions in USSF, FIFA, and Major League Soccer.  Compton Senior High School, class of 1965.

Appointed Chief of Staff in the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education in the US Department of Education by President Barack Obama in  2010. Vice President Emerita from the University of Southern California, Carolyn has served as Senior Associate Provost at the University of Southern California and   Vice President for University Relations in January of 2002.  Chairman of the Board of the Community Coalition in Los Angeles in 2017, while continuing to serve as Chairman of the Board of Partnership For Los Angeles Schools. Compton Senior High School, class of 1965.  

Member of the National Football League Pittsburgh Steelers famous “Steel Curtain”. He played in two Super Bowls – Super Bowl XIII and Super Bowl XIV. He furthered his education at the University of New Mexico where he became an All American and the first person to be a first round draft pick out of the University. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers, the 21st pick in the first round of the draft. At Pittsburgh, He played linebacker and defensive end for twelve seasons for the Steelers. Mr. Cole was in the starting lineup in Super Bowl XIV in 1980 and was elected to the Pro Bowl in 1984. He was runner up for MVP in Super Bowl XIV. He was a member of the New York Jets in ‘88 Baltimore Colts, and  Washington Redskins. Named to the All-Pro team three times. Mr. Cole  He has been a keynote speaker and emcee for many events. He has served on boards of The March of Dimes, Big Brothers/Big Sisters and others. He is a lifetime member of the NAACP. Cole is the co-founder and president of the Robin Cole Foundation.Named to California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) All-CIF football team in ’72 & ‘73.  Compton Senior High School, class of 1973

Judge Kelvin D. Filer  J.D. 2010

Superior Court 

Judge for the Superior Court of Los Angeles County in California. He was appointed by Governor Gray Davis on August 8, 2002.  Filer received a bachelor’s degree from University of California at Santa Cruz in 1977 and a Juris Doctor degree from University of California, Berkeley Boalt Hall School of Law in 1980. Compton Senior High School , class of 1973 .  

Olympian Track N Field

President of Compton Community College, Dean of Students and professor. A member of the 1964 U.S. Olympic gold medal 1,600-meter relay team as the United States 4×400 meter team set a “new” World Record. Williams was also a member of the 1963 Arizona State University world record mile relay team. He was also the NCAA champion in 1963 and tied for first in 1964. Ulis set a National High School Prep Record in the 440 yard dash of 46.1 at age 17 and nearly won the 1960 Olympics 400 meter race championship before losing to Otis Davis. Ulis was the Coast League Track & Field Athlete of the Year in ’60 & ‘61 for Compton High earning him the name “Compton Comet.” He was a Charter Inductee into the 1975 ASU Hall of Fame. Compton Senior High School, class of 1961.

William Denby “Bill” Hanna  2010

Producer/Director

 Teamed with Joseph Barbera in 1937  at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer television animation studio to produce Tom and Jerry cartoons. In 1957  they co-founded Hanna-Barbera producing The Flintstones, The Huckleberry Hound Show, The Jetsons,  Scooby-Doo, The Smurfs, and Yogi Bear while winning seven Academy Awards and eight Emmy Awards. Reached a global audience of over 300 million people speaking more than 20 languages. His family moved  to Watts, Ca. Compton Senior High School, class of 1928.

 Kevin “Keb’Mo'” Moore  2010 

Singer, Song Writer, Guitarist

Kevin Roosevelt Moore “Keb’ Mo’ ” is a four-time Grammy winner to date. 
Grammy nominated for Country Song of the Year for ‘I Hope’, a song he co wrote with the Dixe ChIcks. His songs have also been covered by such artists as BB King, Wynonna, Joe Cocker, Buddy Guy, Robert Palmer and Tom Jones. He has been a featured guest on other artist recordings including India Ari, Marcus Miller, Natalie Cole, Bonnie Raitt, Solomon Burke , Amy Grant, and Willie Nelson. Compton Senior High School 1969 

Reynaldo Brown  2010

Olympian Track n Field

Competed in the 1968 Olympic high jump in Mexico City as a high school senior while leading his Compton High basketball team to an undefeated season and National Title. All-American, Collegiate Athlete of the Year award winner. Member of the President’s Physical Fitness Program. The first high school athlete to jump seven feet.  Set the small college, Cal Poly and NCAA record with a 7’4″ jump in 1973.  Won both the NCAA Division II  and Division I High Jump Championship in 1971 and 1973. Compton Senior High School,  class of 1969.

Dr. Cuauhtemoc Avila  2018

School  Superintendent 

Superintendent of the Rialto Unified School District starting in 2015. The first Mexican American and youngest Latino school chief ever hired by the Rialto Unified School District (Rialto USD). Served as the Assistant Superintendent For Educational Programs for the Los Angeles County Office of Education 2012. Director of educational services and principal of alternative education for Glendale Unified. Compton Unified a high school principal, middle school principal, elementary principal, curriculum specialist and middle school teacher. Compton Senior High School, class of 1987.

Datone Wayne Jones 2018

Professional Football 

Drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft playing for four seasons. Completed the 2017 season as a member of the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League. Played football at UCLA. Named to the Rivals.com All Pac 10 Freshman Team. College Football News (CFN) All Sophomore Defensive Team in ’09,  “Ted Hendricks” Award for Best Defensive Lineman. Participated in the 2013 Senior Bowl Game. Compton Senior High School  2008.  

Lewis (Louie) Nelson  2018

Professional Basketball

Drafted by the Baltimore Bullets in the second round of the 1973 NBA draft  playing 7 year. Started two years with the New Orleans Jazz and was the team’s second leading scorer. Inducted into the Pac 8 “Hall of Fame” from the University of Washington. All-Pac 8 First Team.  All American at Compton High. First Team All CIF. MVP CIF vs. Los Angeles City Section All Star game. Member  Compton High 68′, 69′ back-to-back undefeated National Championship Teams.  Academic All American. Asst. men’s coach Cal State Dominguez Hills. Women’s head coach Los Angeles Harbor College.  In 1989 he led the Compton High boys to the semifinals of the state playoffs.  Compton Senior High School, class of 1969.

Robert (Bobby) Smith  2018

Professional Football 

Drafted by the Los Angeles Rams as a Safety and Kick Returner in the 7th round of the 1961 NFL Draft playing four years for the Rams and two with the Detroit Lions until 1966.  Played football at UCLA.  All-Pac 8 Conference.  All Coast League First Team performer in Football and Track ’56 & ‘57 at Compton High. California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Southern Section Long Jump Champion ‘57.  Served as Director of the “Upward Bound & Talent Search Program” at UCLA, 1971 thru 1982 for disadvantaged students seeking to enroll at UCLA.  Compton Senior High School, class of 1957. 

Ernst F. Hartmann 2018

Track and Field Coach

Coach Hartmann won 5 California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Southern Section Track Titles and 11 CIF Southern Section Cross Country Titles in his illustrious coaching career at Compton High School. Coach Hartmann won both the CIF Southern Section Track Title and The CIF State Track Title in 1958. On May 1, 1965, Mr. Hartmann was given the “Gold Life Pass Award” by the CIF Southern Section. This award is symbolic of significant contributions to interscholastic athletics or who had a long and outstanding record of service to athletics in their community. 

Drafted by the National Baseball League Houston Astros on June 7th 1966 as a pitcher.  Once pitched a “no hitter” in class AAA NBL Minor League. Made his major league debut September 6th, 1969 for the Astros vs. San Francisco as a 21-year-old. Appeared in all the games of his big league career that season. Played baseball and basketball for Compton High School. All Coast League Team Baseball 1965,1966. California Interscholastic Federation All (CIF) Basketball Team in 1966.  All Coast League Basketball 1st Team 1965, 1966. Led Compton HS to the CIF Basketball Playoffs both years.  Graduated from Compton HS as the 2nd All Time Leading Scorer in school basketball history. Compton Senior High School, class of 1966.

All CIF Southern Section Team in 1964. Helped lead Compton High to the 1963 California Interscholastic Federation Basketball Championship.
All-Coast League First Team ’64  basketball. All-Coast League First Team Football in ’64 as a right cornerback
Played Varsity Basketball, Track, and Football at Compton High School.
After graduation from Compton HS, Harvey accepted a full basketball scholarship to the University of Southern California where he played from ’65 – ‘68. Graduated from Compton Senior High School, class of 1964. 

Listed in the “Guinness Book of Records.” Won three consecutive national basketball championships with the UCLA Bruins from 1971 to 1973, and helped the school to a record 88-game consecutive win streak. Hollyfield played one season at Compton Junior College, averaged 22 points and earned California JC All-State honors. The JC team went undefeated at 33–0, and won the state JC title.  California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Player Of The Year  1969 at Compton High School as a senior.  All Coast League First Team Basketball ’68 & ‘69.  All (CIF) Basketball First Team in ’68 & ‘69.  CIFSS Tournament First Team in ’68 & ‘69. Helped lead CHS to undefeated back- to- back National Championships in ’68 & ‘69. National High School Player of the Year  ‘69. Drafted by the Seattle Pilots of Major League Baseball. All Coast League Baseball First Team.  Drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 1973 NBA Draft. Graduated from Compton Senior High School, class of 1969. 

Played Varsity basketball and Baseball at Compton High in ’64 & ’65. Named to the All-CIF Major Division Basketball team in ’65. Helped lead CHS to the CIF Major Division Basketball Playoffs in ’64 & ’65. Named to the All-Coast League Basketball First Team in ’64 & ’65. Received a scholarship to CSULA. All-Conference in Basketball. Inducted into the California State University Los Angeles Hall of Fame. Drafted by the NBA Portland Trail Blazers in 1970.  An original member of the team, Ron was a starter in the first game of the franchise history and scored the team’s first two points. Played two years. He played with the Harlem Globetrotters for seven more seasons from 1973 to 1978 alongside fabled “magicians of the hardwood,”  Marquis Haynes, Geese Ausbie and world‐renowned Meadowlark Lemon. As a rookie “Trotter,” Knight saw the world as he visited Brazil, Holland,
Austria, Egypt and other exotic ports with his famous teammates. Boxing Promoter for the Inglewood Forum. Compton Senior High School, class of 1965. 

Dr. Michael Hopwood has served as Student Body President and President of the Compton Unified School District Board of Trustees. Member Board of Directors of the Associated Pomona Teachers and the California Teachers Association State Council. A graduate of the Association of California School Administrators Principal Academy. Awarded Senior Associate by the California School Leadership Academy (2004). Appointed to the Los Angeles Unified School District Human Relations Council in January of 2007, serving as the council’s only African-American male member in the second largest school district in the nation. Dr. Hopwood held the leadership positions of Administrator Employee Relations Investigations Unit and Administrator of Operations Education Intensive Support and Innovation Center, one of only five such positions in LAUSD before retiring in 2013. Captain of the 1968 (32-0) State and National Championship Basketball Team (Sporting News) as senior which began the record for the most victories without a loss in California Interscholastic Federation Basketball history at 66-0. A record that has stood for 50 years. Listed among ESPN’s FAB 50 All-Time Winningest #1 Prep Basketball Teams in America. Most Valuable Player of the 1968 CIF SS State Championships. 1st team All-League three times, All State and All-American Honors as a senior. Compton Senior High School, class of 1968.   

Played Varsity Basketball  at Compton  High where he was the star of the team, All-Conference three consecutive years and then went on to attend Texas Southern University. In 1957 he was drafted in Round 8 by the NBA Philadelphia Warriors (now the Golden State Warriors). The following year in 1958, he was named the league’s Rookie of the Year — the second African American ever to win the award and becoming the lowest overall draft pick ever to win the award, a record he still holds. In 1959 he played in the NBA All-Star Game. Later in his career he played for the St. Louis Hawks, Chicago Zephyrs and 1966 NBA Champion Boston Celtics.  Woody also played with the legendary Harlem Globetrotters from 1955 thru 1957. Compton Senior High School, class of 1952. 

George A. Selleck, Ph.D., M.Div., M.A., is a member of the 2010 Pac-12 Men’s Basketball Hall of Honor. Named to the Stanford  Athletic Hall of Fame in 1958.   United Press International All-American (UPI) in 1954 and 1956 as well as  International News Service (INS) in 1956. He was the third player in Stanford history to hit the 1,004 points mark.  A two-time Los Angeles Times High School Coach of the Year at Brentwood High School, George went on to serve as an NCAA referee for 15 years. After a broken knee and the loss of a kneecap to start the season, doctors advised him to pursue other interests. His coach, Ken Fagans told him otherwise, putting George in the last league game thus making him eligible for the 1951 playoffs. George passed for the winning shot at the buzzer in the first game and scored three baskets his next game as his team went on to win the CIF State Championship with a record of 27-8.  George was named High School All American  and California Interscholastic Federation Player of the Year in 1952 while leading his team to the State and National Championship at 32-0. He chose to go back to school instead of playing professional basketball for the Philadelphia Warriors in the NBA or baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He earned a master’s in educational psychology at Stanford, a master’s in theology at Princeton, and a doctorate in counseling psychology. Dr. Selleck is the founder/co-founder of three non-profit organizations, most recently Leading2Play designed to improve the youth sports experience for young people throughout the U.S. and beyond. Named one of the “100 Most Influential Sports Educators in America” by the Institute for International Sports, University of Rhode Island, 2007. California State Athletic Director’s Distinguished Service Award,1998.  Compton Senior High School, class of 1952. 

Named to the Parade Magazine High School All-American First Team in ’61. Led Compton High School to the 1961 CIF Major Division Basketball Championship. Named to the AII-CIF Tournament Team and the Most Valuable Player of the ’61 CIF Tournament. Established a new CIF and State Scoring record. All Coast League First Team ‘60 and ’61. Coast League Most Valuable Player in ’60 and ’61.Upon graduation, Goss enrolled at University California of Los Angeles (UCLA) on a full athletic basketball scholarship, playing for the legendary College Hall of Fame Coach, John Wooden from ’62 thru ’66. Named to the All-Pac 8 Conference Team starring in the backcourt alongside Los Angeles Laker great Gail Goodrich to form one of the most dynamic duos at the guard position in collegiate basketball history. Won the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Basketball Championship in the 1964-1965 seasons. Goss was named Head Basketball Coach at the University of California at Riverside (UCR) from ’68 – ’79. He also coached Division 1 Basketball at United States International University (USIU) – San Diego from ’79 – ’85 (Now Alliant University). Compton Senior High School class of 1961.

 J. Kenneth Fagans coached basketball at Compton High. Fagans basketball career at Compton High School was incredible from 1950 through 1953. His Tarbabes won 53 straight games and were crowned  CIF-SS Champions in 1951 and 1952 and lost in the finals in 1953. His 1952 team had a record of 32 – 0 and National Champions. He coached George Selleck, Ed Tucker, Woody Sauldsberry and Jim Marshall (later manager of Chicago Cubs). He later became an assistant principal at Compton’s Centennial High School before joining the CIF Southern Section to become Commissioner of the California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section. Fagans built the CIF Southern Section into one of the country’s largest and most powerful high school athletic associations. When he retired as commissioner in 1975 after 21 years, the section had grown from 218 schools to 458. The number of sports had expanded from 11 for boys to 22 for boys and girls. The Southern Section held the first girls’ athletic event in the state, a swimming invitational at Beverly Hills High in 1970, two years before Title IX was passed. Fagans was a basketball star at Huntington Park High and Oregon State University. In 1927 he led Huntington Park HS to the Southern Section basketball championship as a player. A few years after graduating from college, Mr. Fagans became an Assistant Basketball Coach at Stanford University before accepting the Head Coaching position at Compton High School.

The 6ft-10 inch Ron Richardson played varsity basketball his senior year 1969 at Compton High under Hall of Fame coach, William “Bill” Armstrong on the 30-0 undefeated CIF and National Championship team. The second of the 68 & ’69 back-to-back undefeated CIF and National Championship teams. Ron attended Compton Community Junior College and help lead the Tartars to the California State Junior College Championship going 33-0 in his very first year. The team set the Junior College State single game scoring record of 166 points, a record that still stands. Ron accepted a basketball scholarship to Texas Tech University where he averaged 13.3 points a game to go along with 9.2 rebounds to be among the leaders in those two important categories. Selected to the 1972-1973 Southwest Conference First Team as a senior, Richardson’s team won their conference for only the second time in school history. After a successful collegiate basketball career at Texas Tech, Ron was among the first players drafted in Europe by what was originally called the International Basketball Association where he played professionally. Compton Senior High School class of 1969.

Aaron Cornelius Wade became Principal at Compton High School in 1966 and was later named the Superintendent of the Compton Unified School District. Aaron Wade was the first black official in the former American Football League (AFL) and the second black official in the National Football League (NFL). He received his Doctorate in Education from Lawrence University. He moved to California in 1946 and enrolled in Compton Junior College. He graduated with honors from Los Angeles State College with a major in Physical Education. In 1951, Marian Wagstaff, Principal at Willowbrook Junior High School in Compton, offered him the opportunity to do his student teaching at her school. Marian, who was white and integrated the school, stated, “I would only hire those teachers who loved children and who were great teachers. That was all that mattered to me.” Born in Beaumont, Texas on September 24, 1924. He passed away on March 21, 2003.  

Denny Smith was a Prep All American in Track his senior year 1965. He was the CIF-SS State Champion in the Long Jump and his 880 Relay Team also finished in second place in the 1965 CIF-SS State Finals. Smith finished 2nd in the Broad Jump and 2nd in the 400 meters at the CIF Southern Section Track Finals in 1964. Smith starred on the Varsity Football & Track teams for three consecutive years ’63, ’64 & ’65. He was an All Coast League First Team as a running back ’64,’65. He led the team in rushing yardage for three straight seasons from ’63 thru ’65 and scored a team high 10 rushing and 3 receiving touchdowns despite missing two games because of injuries in his senior year. He finished his career with over 33 touchdowns. Smith was listed by the Compton Herald American Newspaper alongside Mickey Cureton of Centennial High as the two greatest running backs during the ’60’s decade. He is the brother of Bobby Smith, class of ’57 who played in the NFL. Compton Senior High School class of 1965. 

The purpose of the Compton High School Hall Of Fame is to honor all those who have combined the highest levels of individual and collective achievement.  Compton High School class of 2024.  

Ed Hervey played in the National Football League (NFL) and the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played varsity football and was a member of the varsity track team helping the school win the California state 4 × 400 meters relay. Named to the All Moore League Football Team in 1990 & 1991 as a Wide Receiver. Upon graduating from CHS, Ed entered the University of Southern California on a football scholarship. Ed was selected to the Pac 10 All-Conference Football Team in ’94 & ’95 as a Wide Receiver. Ed received his Bachelor Degree in 1995 from USC and was selected in the 1995 NFL football draft by the Dallas Cowboys. After a brief career with the Cowboys, Ed joined the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League (CFL) where he played 18 seasons. Ed earned two “Grey Cup” CFL Championships in ’03 and ’04, which is equivalent to America’s Super Bowl. After retiring from an illustrious career with Eskimos as a Wide Receiver, Ed moved up to the front office and became a Senior Football Executive. Ed re-assembled the Edmonton Eskimos after taking over the General Manager position and in ’15 they became the Canadian Football League Greg Cup Champions once again. After serving as the Vice President & General Manager with the Edmonton Eskimos from ’13 thru ’16, the Compton California 44 year old native was hired as the new General Manager of Football Operations for the Canadian Football League, British Columbia Lions. Compton Senior High School class of 1991.            

Keith Lee is one of four players to play on both the 1968 and 1969 undefeated  66-0 back- to- back National Championship High School Basketball Teams at Compton High School while winning the Coast League, CIF Southern Section and CIF Major Division State Championships both years.  In 1969 he received a full scholarship to Cal Poly Pomona and played basketball for three years. Keith Lee set the freshman single game scoring record with 44 points against Pepperdine University. In 1975 Keith Lee joined the new World Basketball Association (WBA)  becoming the league’s leading scorer at 26.4 pts per game: it lasted only nine months before the league folded. From 1975 to 1980 he toured Internationally with Naismith  Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame member Marques Haynes and the Harlem Globetrotters as player/coach/manager  for the Hawaii Chiefs Basketball Club from 1975-1980 .  The  Chiefs were  an original American Basketball League (ABL) team owned by Art Kim who was involved with the Washington Generals before becoming the owner of the Anaheim Amigos of the American Basketball Association (ABA).  Keith Lee starred with the Washington Generals vs. the Harlem globetrotters on ABC-TV  Wide World of Sports with Howard Cosell. Keith appeared  on the television show “The White Shadow” in 1980. Keith Lee received a B.A. degree in Recreation and Public Administration from California State University Dominguez Hills and a Certification in Transportation Transit/Paratransit Management from Pepperdine University’s Graziadio School of Business and Management. Keith worked as the Assistant Director for  Senior Citizen Programs at the Dollarhide Center in Compton, California for 22 years retiring  in 2003 before becoming a Supervisor of Guest Services at the Los Angeles Staples Center, home to the Kings, NBA Los Angeles Lakers, Clippers, and WNBA Sparks organizations. Compton Senior High School class of 1969.
  

Solomon Miller played in the National Football League for the New York Giants and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He played college football at Utah State University and was drafted in the sixth round of the 1986 NFL Draft by the New York Giants as a Wide Receiver. Solomon was a Super Bowl Champion in his very first year with the Giants. In 1987 Solomon joined the NFL Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Solomon played Varsity Football at Compton High School as a wide receiver in ’80, ’81, ’82 and was on the Varsity Track Team. He was named to the All Moore League Football First Team in ’81 & ’82 as wide receiver and to the All Moore League Track Team in ’81 & ’82. Upon graduating from CHS, Solomon received a Football Scholarship from Utah State University Solomon was named All-Conference First Team in ’85 & ’86 as a Wide Receiver. Solomon received his Bachelor’s Degree from Utah State University in 1986. Compton Senior High School class of 1982.

Mike Jacobs helped lead Compton Senior High School to three consecutive CIF Playoff Berths in 1961, 1962, 1963 and two CIF Major Division Championships in 1961 & 1962 under legendary High School Hall of Fame Coach William “Bill” Armstrong. Joe was named to the All Coast League First Team in 1962 & 1963 and Most Valuable Player of the Coast League in 1963 while leading the league in scoring. In 1963 he was named to the All-CIF Southern Section Third Team. Mike accepted a full basketball scholarship to the University of California graduating in 1967. Upon completion of his undergraduate degree from Cal, Mr. Jacobs entered Law School and after graduating and passing the Bar, he began practicing law. Compton Senior High School class of 1963.  

Joe Davis helped lead Compton Senior High School to three consecutive CIF Basketball Playoff Berths in 1961, 1962, 1963 and two CIF Major Division Championships in 1961 & 1963 under legendary High School Hall of Fame Coach William “Bill” Armstrong. Joe was named to the All Coast League First Team in 1962 & 1963. In 1963 he was named to the All-CIF First Team averaging 16.2 points per game. Joe was named Most Valuable Player of the 1963 CIF Tournament while making the All-Tournament Team. Joe accepted a full basketball scholarship from California State University Los Angeles in 1963.
Compton Senior High School class of 1963.            

Walt “The Flea” Roberts was drafted by the NFL Cleveland Browns in 1964. He played for the Browns from ’64 to ’66. Walt was a member of the ’64 Cleveland Browns National Football League Championship team.  Roberts  played for the New Orleans Saints in ’67 & ‘68.  The New Orleans Saints won their first game in franchise history  when Walter “Flea” Roberts scored three touchdowns in a 31-24 win against the Philadelphia Eagles on Nov. 5, 1967, running 91 yards for a touchdown on the opening kickoff.  Roberts returned to the Browns in 1969 to 1970. He officially retired from professional football in 1971. Upon graduation from Compton high, Walt received a football scholarship to San Jose State University and received his College Degree in ‘64. He played varsity football at Compton High School. Compton Senior High School class of 1960.  

Deborah Spottsville was the founding President and founding member of the Compton High School Alumni Association (CHSAA), a non-profit corporation. Deborah Spottsville served as its president from 2006 to 2012. Under Deborah’s leadership, the CHSAA awarded over $17,000 in scholarships to Compton High School seniors and it organized the annual all-classes alumni picnics and coordinated alumni Homecoming week activities which included visiting classrooms to talk with students about pride in themselves, the school and community; participation in the homecoming pep rallies, alumni tailgate parties and pre-game shows. As a Compton High student, Deborah served as 1973 Senior Class Vice-President, Yearbook Editor, varsity cheerleader and junior class vice-president, and sophomore class secretary. She also played flute in the marching band from 1970 to 1972. Deborah holds a Bachelor of Science, Business Administration degree (University of Redlands, 1981), Master of Business Administration degree with a Finance emphasis (National University, 1992), and a Juris Doctorate degree (University of West Los Angeles School of Law, 2000). Her career accomplishments include Manager of Contracts Administration and Compliance Oversight (Compton Unified School District); Contracts Management at Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, and Los Angeles Metro. Deborah also worked in the entertainment industry as an actress/background artist (extra) in the late 1970’s, early 1980’s, appearing in various television shows and movies including “What’s Happening”, “Good Times”, “JoJo Dancer, Your Life is Calling” to name a few. Deborah has been recognized by Who’s Who Among High School Students, Who’s Who Among Young American Professionals and Who’s Who of American Women. Compton High School class of 1973.

Dr. Eric Andrew served as Superintendent, Campbell Union School District from February 2010 until his retirement in June 2017. He was responsible for leading all aspects of the districts instructional and operational programs. Dr. Andrew began his education career in 1979 as a kindergarten through sixth grade teacher and later an elementary, middle and high school principal in Claremont Unified School District. He served as Director of Student Services in Redlands Unified School District, as well as the Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services in Glendora Unified School District from 2006 to 2010. Dr. Andrew joined the Campbell Union School District in February 2010 as Superintendent.  The District operates 12 schools serving 7,600 students in parts of Campbell, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, San Jose, Santa Clara, and Saratoga California. Dr. Andrew helped earn the district several local and regional awards for educational equity, English language development and parent education. Dr. Andrew retired as Superintendent from Campbell Union School District on June 30, 2010. Dr. Andrew taught in the National Association Leadership Educational Administration Program for the Santa Clara County Office of Education and was named a finalist for National Association of School Superintendents (NASS) Superintendent of the Year (2017). Compton Senior High School class of 1973.     

Grambling University-trained, Dr. Louis Thomas brought the Grambling high-stepping marching style to the Compton High School marching band while he was band director from 1965 to 1973. He wrote the original version of the Compton spirit song,C-Mambo, and a myriad of cadences that energized all who came under the drummers’ spell; the Tarbabe Stroll, Breakdown, Big Bass, and the many-numbered cadences. Under his instruction, the jazz bands and orchestras were top-notch as well. Over the years, the original music to C-Mambo was lost; the band director at that time wrote a different version of “C-Mambo.” In October of 2015, Dr. Thomas was kind enough to write down the original version of his C-Mambo music for all of the instruments and presented it to the then-current Compton High band director. The end of his visit was recorded and placed on social media.
After Dr. Thomas left Compton High School in 1973, he went on to earn his doctorate in education and became a school administrator, all the while staying active with his bands. He was a guest at several Compton High class reunions. He and his band performed at the Class of 1973’s 20-year reunion. He enjoyed socializing with his former students. Last year, Dr. Thomas played with the alumni band at the Class of 1972’s 45-year reunion last year. Dr. Thomas come back to Compton High to give back by helping start the Compton High School Alumni Association with great fanfare and worked with the alumni band for the Alumni Day and Homecoming Day in November 2007. He leaves behind an unforgettable legacy, and his spirit will forever live on the campus of Compton High.            

Anthony “Tony” Drake,  Legendary Musician grew up in Compton California and attended Compton  High School. following his junior year in 1964, he studied music at the Dawkins Conservatory of Music where he studied classical guitar. After graduating, Tony worked in the road bands of people like Little Johnny Taylor, Ronnie Dyson, and T-Bone Walker. At one time he shared the stage with a certain Jimi Hendrix. His skill was such that he recorded the guitar part on the demo version of BB King’s ‘The Thrill Is Gone’. In the 70’s, Tony became a staff musician for 20th Century Fox Studios doing numerous T.V. shows such as “Julia” starring Diahann Carroll, “The Lucille Ball Show” and the “Leslie Neilson Show”. Tony was signed with A&M Records as a staff musician and recorded and toured with Herb Alpert, Merry Clayton, Cheech and Chong, and many others. Tony performed with musical legends including, Lou Rawls, Cher, Marvin Gaye, and the Fifth Dimension. Tony Drake’s recording credits include Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr, James Brown, Gloria Lynn, Little Esther Phillips, Aretha Franklin, The Crusaders, Jimmy Witherspoon, Tina Turner, Barry White, The Sylvers, Ray Charles, Nancy Wilson and Etta James. In the 80’s Tony worked extensively with Mowtown artist the Supremes, the Four Tops and the Temptations  Honorary member of the  CHS HALL OF FAME 2019.            

Dwight Taylor helped lead Compton High (32-0) to the first of two back-to-back undefeated seasons and the 1968 California Interscholastic Federation State Championship. He averaged 19.ppg at the guard position his senior year as the team was named the 1968 National Champions. An All CIF SS Basketball third team member in 1967, he earned All American and 2nd team All CIF recognition in 1968. Taylor played Varsity Basketball for Compton High in 1966, 1967, 1968 under Hall of Fame Coach William “Bill” Armstrong. He helped lead Compton to the Coast League Basketball Championship in 1967 & 1968 while being named to the All Coast League Basketball Team in 1968 at the guard position. Taylor  accepted a full basketball scholarship to California State University Long Beach and played for the legendary coach Jerry Tarkanian. Taylor  set the National Collegiate Basketball Freshman scoring record by averaging 41.0 points a game. That record stood for nearly 50 years. On March 20, 1971 Dwight Taylor and his Long beach state 49ers team were riding a 19-game winning streak at 25-5, 10-0 in conference and No. 3 national ranking into their first showdown with UCLA in the West regional final. Long Beach had a chance to win late in the game with the ball and the score tied. Taylor took a wide open jump shot. The ball went in and came out. UCLA got the rebound, and scored and the Bruins wound up winning by two points. The final score was 57-55, and the Bruins went on to win their fourth consecutive NCAA title a week later at the Houston Astrodome when they beat Villanova. Upon leaving college, Taylor  played several years professionally in Mexico. Dwight Taylor was a playground legend on the courts of Compton and Los Angeles. When Dwight was an 8th grader at Willowbrook Jr. High School, he was allowed to play on “Sports Night” at CHS every Wednesday night. He was the only kid from a Junior High School in the Compton Unified School District, who was allowed to play with the sophomores, juniors, and seniors on Sports Night and many left the court embarrassed.  Compton Senior High School class of 1968.    

Ronald Lawrence Woods was signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates as an amateur free agent in 1961. He played six seasons in the majors with the Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, and Montreal Expos. He had 290 hits in 1,247 at bats. Ron had 26 career home runs, 130 RBIs, and 27 stolen bases. He played all or part of six seasons in Major League Baseball from 1969–74, primarily as an outfielder. He also played two seasons in Japan for the Chunichi Dragons in 1975–1976. Compton Senior High School class of 1961.            

Ernest Mitchell, Jr. was the United States Senate confirmed Presidential appointee to the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Fire Administrator from December 5, 2011, until the Presidential Administration’s Transition on January 20, 2017. He was responsible for managing the U.S. Fire Administration and the programs and training activities at the National Emergency Training Center. Battalion Chief Mitchell left the Compton Fire Department in 1991 to become Fire Chief and Deputy City Manager in the City of Monrovia, CA, where he served 7 years. In 1998, he became the Fire Chief and Assistant Director of Disaster Emergency Services for the City of Pasadena, CA. In 2004, Chief Mitchell retired from the City of Pasadena, California, after 33 years in the fire service.  While a Firefighter with the City of Compton, Ernie received numerous awards for service during those 20 years, including outstanding fire department employee and designation as a “Hometown Hero”. Chief Mitchell has an Associate of Science Degree in Fire Science from Long Beach City College; a Bachelor Degree in Public Administration from the University of San Francisco; and a Master of Public Administration Degree from California State University at Northridge. Compton Senior High School class of 1966.            

In one of sports history’s great achievements, Compton High men’s basketball team became  the winningest high school basketball team in California Interscholastic Federation history in the midst of social unrest following the Watts riots, the civil rights movement.  They set the record for the most victories without a loss in California CIF history winning 66 consecutive basketball games beginning with the 1968, 1969, 1970 seasons and back-to-back undefeated State and National Championships in the same 1968, 1969 years. Named one of the Greatest High School Basketball Teams of All Time By Stadium Talk (Tony Adame, updated on September 28, 2021) and Listed among ESPN’S Fabulous 50 All-Time Winningest High School Basketball Teams. 2024 will mark the 55th anniversary of that historic accomplishment, a record that remained unbroken after 54 years. As National Champions they represented the City of Compton, the state of California and the nation. Compton Senior High School 1967-1968 season. 

National Champs Award

n one of sports history’s great achievements, Compton High men’s basketball team became  the winningest high school basketball team in California Interscholastic Federation history in the midst of social unrest following the Watts riots, the civil rights movement.  They set the record for the most victories without a loss in California CIF history winning 66 consecutive basketball games beginning with the 1968, 1969, 1970 seasons and back-to-back undefeated State and National Championships in the same 1968, 1969 years. Named one of the Greatest High School Basketball Teams of All Time By Stadium Talk (Tony Adame, updated on September 28, 2021) and Listed among ESPN’S Fabulous 50 All-Time Winningest High School Basketball Teams. 2024 will mark the 55th anniversary of that historic accomplishment, a record that remained unbroken after 54 years. As National Champions they represented the City of Compton, the state of California and the nation. Compton Senior High School 1968-1969 season.  National Champs Award

In one of sports history’s great achievements, The 1969-70 Compton High men’s basketball team concluded  the recorded for winningest high school basketball team in California Interscholastic Federation history by winning the first first four games of their season leading to the  record for the most victories without a loss in California CIF history at 66 consecutive basketball games beginning with the 1968, 1969,and 1970 seasons.  2024 will mark the 55th anniversary of that historic accomplishment, a record that remained unbroken after 54 years. As National Champions they represented the City of Compton, the state of California and the nation. Compton Senior High School 1969-1970 season.   National Champs Award

Compton Senior High School HALL OF FAME 2018.            

Compton Senior High School Hall of Fame 2018.                       

Compton Senior High School Hall of Fame 2018.            

Compton Senior High School Hall of Fame 2018.            

Compton High School Hall of Fame 2018.            

Compton High School Hall of Fame 2018.            

Compton Senior High School Hall of Fame 2018.