SWOCC Wall of Fame
Southwestern Oregon Community College’s (SWOCC) Laker Club Alumni Association honors former athletes, teams and coaches during its annual Homecoming celebration. This year’s event will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2015 in Prosper Hall during the Women’s and Men’s home basketball games (2 and 4 p.m.). The Laker Club will recognize two athletes this year – Fran Worthen (Sichting) and Sam Scott; both outstanding athletes in their own right. Former and current inductees will also be recognized during the afternoon’s event. Sichting attended SWOCC in the early 70’s where she honed her skills under the guidance of Coach Mike Hodges. In 1973, Fran was a member of the SWOCC’s men’s track team because no women’s team existed at the time, becoming the first woman to participate for a men’s junior college track team. At the Oregon Community College Athletic Association (OCCAA) championships, Sichting was a finalist in the 100, 220 and long jump while running anchor leg on the second place 440 relay team. As an Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) champion, in 1973 she set an American record in the 220 while placing fourth in the 100 and fifth in the long jump. In 1974, while competing in the USA vs Russia dual meet held at Duke University she became the AAU National Senior Women’s champion in the 220 and was part of the 440 yard relay team that set an American record. A South Coast native and Marshfield alumna, Fran stayed in the area and raised a family after leaving SWOCC. Sichting has worked with numerous local youth over the years through her involvement in local meets, the Prefontaine Track Club, and as a Track and Field Coach at Marshfield High School. She was inducted into the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges (NWAACC) Hall of Fame in 1993 and then later into Marshfield’s in 2003. Sam Scott played basketball for SWOCC in 1978-79 and 1979-80, following his graduation from Marshfield in 1978. Sam’s accolades at Southwestern are many. As the two-time team captain, he helped the Lakers to a 21-4 season and the 1979 OCCAA title his freshman year while earning all-conference third team honors. During his sophomore year, his continued game winning attitude helped propel the Lakers to the OCCAA playoffs and a 22-7 season record. Former coach Terry Stahel dubbed Scott “the general” for his ability to direct both the team’s offense and defense while on the floor. “Sam is a coach’s dream player,” Stahel noted in a 1979 article in The World. As the Laker point guard, his excellent ball handling skills, accuracy from outside, and pace setting skills consistently relieved some of the inside pressure and kept the game tempo to the Laker’s liking on many occasion. After SWOCC, Scott graduated from the University of Oregon in 1982, became a dentist, and raised a family in the Coos Bay area where he continues to practice dentistry today. Most nights, Sam can be found at local high school or college sporting events as he maneuvers for that ‘perfect shot’ through his passion of photography. Southwestern is proud to announce the 2015 Wall of Fame Inductees – Fran Worthen (Sichting) and Sam Scott!
