Manteca High enshrined six new members to its prestigious Hall of Fame last Friday.
Making up the Class of 2024 were Don Morgan, Ken Huckaby, Tevani Liotard, Jennifer Reis, Martha Dias-Lin, and George (Joe) Handy – the special event took place at Synergy Gym during the MHS boys varsity basketball game against visiting Kimball High.
Handy was inducted posthumously. He was represented by his daughters, Beth and Brenda Handy, and was remembered for his “incredibly positive influence on kids.”
Joe Handy was especially dedicated in the classroom, where he provided a hands-on learning environment for his students, according to Principal Megan Peterson.
Dias-Linn came to Manteca in 1968 via the Azores. While still learning to speak English, she was getting noticed by coaches for athletic abilities. Dias-Linn, who eventually became a standout athlete at MHS, went on to Stanislaus State, returning to her alma mater upon graduation to become a teacher, coach, and, later, a guidance counselor.
“Martha is known for being a person filled with compassion, character, and with an incredible work ethic,” Peterson said.
Reis currently coaches the Buffaloes boys’ volleyball team, which also happens to be the two-time defending Valley Oak League champions. She’s a member of the MHS Class of 1990, having been a four-year starter in volleyball along with league MVP for three years.
Reis, who was also a standout varsity basketball player for the Lady Buffaloes, went on to play collegiate volleyball and graduating from the University of Nevada, Reno.
During her time at MHS, Liotard, who was an outstanding athlete, earned seven varsity letters in four separate sports.
“Perhaps more important than that is Tevani’s long-time unwavering support of the entire Manteca community through service and philanthropy,” Peterson noted.
During his time at MHS, Huckaby’s outstanding accomplishments on the athletic field included being named all-league quarterback in football and all-league catcher in baseball.
In 1991, he was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers – Huckaby would later win a World Series ring with the 2001 Arizona Diamondbacks.
Following his playing days, he went into coaching in the minor leagues. Huckaby is currently the manager of the Lake Country DockHounds, based in Wisconsin and part of the American Association Professional Baseball, an official partner league of Major League Baseball.
Morgan played in the National Football League. He was first picked up by the Minnesota Vikings in 1999, finishing his career in 2002 with the Arizona Cardinals.
Known affectionately as ‘Buddha’ – he’s remembered as being very humble and an amazing teammate during his time at MHS – Morgan helped lead the Buffaloes to the Sac-Joaquin Section Finals in 1992. He earned a full-ride scholarship to play football at the University of Nevada, Reno, under College Hall of Fame coach Chris Ault.
