They came near and far for this special occasion Friday at East Union High.
Erin Arevalo, Rick Arucan, Diann Lopez (Aufdermaur), Sadhu Bhardwaj, Pete Dalben, Brian Goulart, Ron Hamamoto, Kelli Handly (Horton), and Kim Morenzone (McCreath) were honored prior to the Lancers' Valley Oak League clash against Oakdale as this year's Hall of Fame class.
"This is the most we've ever had (inducted)," said Principal Eric Simoni of the nine newly-enshrined Lancers.
Goulart, who currently resides in the heart of Texas after a storied career as the softball coach — 366 victories, eight VOL titles, two section titles, and one mythical state championship — was thrilled to hear from his old friend Rick Interbitizin on news of his enshrinement.
"It was good to be back (at East Union)," said Goulart.
Hamamoto made the trip here from Southern California.
A 1976 graduate of EU, he was standout in basketball and football, quarterbacking the undefeated 1974 team while earning Most Valuable Offensive Player of the VOL. His biggest accomplishment was that as coach.
Hamamoto is the fourth-winningest head coach in San Diego High School history, having spent 39 years on the job leading Cathedral Catholic not to mention Rancho Bernardo, Lincoln, and Monte Vista. Along the way, he compiled a 246-194-1 record with his next stop being inducted into the San Diego High School Coaching Legends.
Pete Dalben, meanwhile, was represented by his son Ron during the special ceremony. Dalben — the EU main gym is named in his honor — was a school board member from 1952 to 1975. He played a big role in the growth and development of the school district and its educational programs.
Arucan served as coach educator, an assistant principal at EU during years spanning from 1969 through 1993. He later became principal at Sierra High.
A 2008 graduate of EU, Arevalo had a storied softball career for the Lancers. She then played at the University of Georgia, helping her team reach the Women's College World Series. Arevalo later played softball professionally and served as assistant coach at Stanford, Indiana State, Oklahoma, Campbell, and, currently Christian Brothers University.
Diann Lopez was a standout volleyball player for EU. She late played for Fresno State and made second team All-Conference during her senior year. She attended EU from 1992 through 1996.
Kelli Handy was all-league in volleyball, basketball, and softball during her Lancer years from 1983 through 1987. She earned a scholarship to Northwestern, where she continued to shine on the diamond by making the 1989 First Team All-Big Ten while playing third and first base.
Kim Morenzone was a student athlete at East Union from 1985 through 1989 — she was a highly decorated volleyball and basketball player. She also coached basketball for the Lancers and is currently in her 31st year in education.
Bhardwaj served as custodian of the school from 1998 through 2017. He returned as a substitute in 2018 before finally calling it quits last year.
