Induction Year: 1983

Lettered in five sports at Ventura High School. Football, Basketball, Baseball, Track and Tennis.

At U.C.L.A. he was the starting first baseman, leading hitter and M.V.P. of the baseball team.

He played fullback for the football team and played in the 1947 and 1948 Rose Bowl games.

Named to the All Coast team in football.

Played fullback and linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles of the N.F.L.

Most Valuable Player for the Eagles in 1950.

Named to the N.F.L. All Star Team 1949, 50, 52.

Played fullback for the Los Angeles Rams team that won the Western Division Playoffs in 1952.

Head Coach of the College of the Pacific

Backfield coach for the San Francisco 49ers.

Henry Oliva was born in Ventura in 1901.

Throughout his lifetime he has been a lover, organizer, promoter and supporter of sports in Ventura County.

In 1922 he organized the first boys’ basketball league in Ventura. In the pre-World War II era, he promoted boxing and wrestling at the Ventura Athletic Club and later at the El Rio Stadium.

Oliva was a vital factor in bringing professional baseball to Ventura and was president of the Ventura County Baseball Club.

Ventura born, October 19, 1887.

Starred in baseball at St. Vincent’s College (Loyola, U.)

Joined the New York Giants after college where he played center field from 1908-1915.

Played for Boston Braves 1916.

Played in 961 major league games.

Played in three World Series.

In 1910 he had the fourth highest batting average in the National League.

In 1910 he tied for the fewest errors by a National League center fielder.

In 1911 and 1912 he was third in stolen bases.

During his major-league career, he made 1752 putouts, had 133 assists and compiled a .965 fielding average.

Played two years at Ventura High; one year at Santa Barbara High.
Two-time high school All-American 1968-69 & 1969-70.
Two-time all C.I.F. First Team selection 1968-69 & 1969-70.
C.I.F. player of the year 1969-70.

At U.C.L.A. he was a member of three N.C.A.A. championship teams.
Twice first team All-American.
Twice Scholastic All-American.
Three times first team All-Pacific 8 conference.

Member of the Golden State Warriors, N.B.A. championship team 1974-75.
N.B.A. Rookie of the Year 1974-75.
Member of two N.B.A. championship teams with the Los Angeles Lakers 1979-80 & 1981-82.

While a student at Oxnard High School, Houser was C.I.F. and State shot put and discus champion three years 1920-21-22.

National Senior shot put and discus champion for a high school student.

National Interscholastic record holder with 12 lbs. shot put – 56.0 feet.

Houser Field was named in his honor while he was still a student at Oxnard High.

Outstanding performer in track and field at U.S.C.

Member of the 1924 U.S. Olympic Team.

Olympic champion in the discus 1928 games.

Member of the National Track and Field Hall of the United States.