Yuba's 2013 inductees are golden selections

Yuba College will host its 15th annual Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Saturday night at Peach Tree Golf & Country Club as four former 49er athletes and two special inductees will be enshrined.

Inductees are selected by a committee based on their contributions both on and off the field to the Yuba College athletic department.

Mark Cartwright (Baseball)

Coached by fellow Hall-of-Famer Gary Engelken, Cartwright was a key member of the 49ers' 1980 Hall-of-Fame baseball team, which set a school record by finishing 34-7 and third in the state.

Cartwright helped lead the Niners to an 18-1 finish in the Golden Valley Conference where we was a first-team All-GVC and All-State pitcher. That season, he went 12-1 with a 2.10 ERA and 100 strikeouts in 90 innings pitched.

During the 49ers' playoff run, Cartwright posted a 20-strikeout game.

The right-hander was selected in the second round of the 1980 MLB Draft by the New York Yankees. During his four-year professional career, he posted a 46-25 record with a 3.23 ERA and 27 complete games, spending time in both the Yankees and Minnesota Twins organizations.

In his pro career, Cartwright played with notable MLB alumni Kirby Puckett, Don Mattingly and Dave Righetti. He ended his pro career pitching for the Rimini Pirates in Italy in 1985.

Cartwright enjoyed a stellar prep career at Yuba City High School where he helped take the Honkers to the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I championship game in 1978. He was an All-Delta League selection and pitched in the Optimist All-Star Game following his senior year in 1979.

Cartwright is currently the Director of Grounds and Operations for the Marysville Joint Unified School District and served as a baseball coach at Lindhurst High for several years.

Lisa Marie Jordan (Softball, Volleyball)

Jordan was a two-sport standout for the 49ers in 1985 and 1986, excelling in both softball and volleyball.

In 1985, she was Yuba's MVP in volleyball and team co-captain. Jordan was also named to the All-BVC squad. In softball, she did the same and was MVP, team captain and All-BVC.

Additionally, Jordan was an All-BVC Academic Team selection. In 1986, she was named Yuba College's Female Athlete of the Year.

Before Yuba College, Jordan was a three-sport standout at Yuba City High School, earning MVP and all-league honors in volleyball, basketball and softball.

Jordan went on to earn her Bachelor of Arts degree in physical education from Chico State and currently works in the personnel office for the Yuba City Unified School District.

She continues her involvement in sports both as a participant and coach at the youth level.

Mike Sizelove (Football)

Sizelove, who was inducted into the Northern California Sports Association Hall of Fame in 2012, joins the Yuba College Hall of Fame after a standout football career with the 49ers.

The former tight end spent two years with the Niners in 1967-68, playing under coach Cal Gower.

In 1968, Sizelove was a Junior College All-American and earned first team All-GVC honors as both a freshman and sophomore. The tight end was named Yuba's Most Outstanding Offensive Player of the Year as a sophomore when he ranked third in the nation and second in the state in receiving.

Sizelove set a single-game record with 13 receptions and hauled in 95 passes in a two-year span.

Following graduation, Sizelove transferred to the University of Idaho on a scholarship and earned All-Big Sky honorable mention in 1970.

He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1970, but ended up playing for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League during the 1970-71 seasons.

Sizelove graduated with two Bachelor of Arts degrees in recreation administration and education. He began a 25-year teaching career at Dimond High in Anchorage, Alaska, and spent five years as the school's athletic director.

Prior to his time at Yuba, he graduated from Chico High School where he played football, basketball and baseball for the Panthers.

Sizelove received a full-ride scholarship from New Mexico State University straight out of high school, but an injury caused him to return home and transfer to Yuba.

George Souza (Football, Coach, Dean)

Souza's storied career runs the gamut at Yuba College.

It started in 1953 when he was named first team all-conference at both linebacker and offensive guard as he helped lead Yuba to an Orange Show Bowl victory over San Bernardino City College — the 1953 Yuba College football team was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011.

Souza was a standout in both football and baseball at Marysville High School, earning All-Sierra Foothill League honors in 1951. He earned a football scholarship to Santa Clara University out of high school, but returned home to Yuba after the Broncos dropped their program.

After one year with the 49ers, Souza earned a scholarship to the University of California, Berkeley, where he played for coach Lynn "Pappy" Waldorf.

Souza is a lifetime member of Cal's Big C Society letterman's club and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Cal. He later earned his master's degree in education administration from Chico State.

Souza began his teaching career as an eighth grade teacher, but moved on to the high school level where he later became principal at Yuba City High School.

He returned to his alma mater Yuba College and began a 17-year career as the school's Dean of Student Services.

While at Yuba City High, he served as an assistant football coach for three seasons for teams that won three straight SFL titles.

He later served two years as defensive coordinator under legendary Yuba College coach Bud Van Deren and served as the "Voice of the 49ers" for six seasons.

Souza is also a member of the Northern California Sports Association Hall of Fame.

George Nicholau (Special Recognition)

A longtime member of the Yuba College Board of Trustees, Nicholau has been an enthusiastic supporter of Yuba College athletics.

Nicholau graduated from Marysville High School where he was a three-sport participant in football, basketball and baseball.

Upon graduation, Nicholau earned a football scholarship to Cal and lettered for the Golden Bears in 1942-43.

He later served on the Big C Board of Directors and was a scout for the football program, recommending local talents Joe Rose and Lauren Hawley to Cal.

Nicholau eventually earned his degree in pharmacy at the University of California Medical Center and served in the United States Navy as a commissioned officer, and as an executive officer aboard a minesweeper in the South Pacific during World War II.

Nicholau returned to Marysville and ran his own pharmacy until his retirement.

While serving as a member of the Yuba College Board of Trustees, Nicholau chaired the site selection committee for Woodland Community College.

He was the first California community college trustee to serve as a member of an accreditation team and was honored by the California State Rules Committee for his "long and distinguished record of professional service and untiring effort on behalf of Yuba College students."

Yuba College Highland Band and Dancers (1954-1964)

The Yuba College Highland Bagpipe Band and Dancers played an important role in Yuba College activities and sporting events.

At the time of its existence, it was the only known community college bagpipe band in the country. About 100 people were in the group which began in 1954 and disbanded in 1964.

The group was known for its performances during halftime of football and basketball games, as well as various parades and events.

The band played across the state and country, including seven straight junior Rose Bowl parades in Pasadena. They would also perform locally at graduations, concerts and community functions.

The Highland band won numerous awards, ribbons and other honors during its 10-year run.

Yuba College faculty member Donald Butler formed the group in 1954 as a way to spread the college's name, promote school spirit and operate as a service organization.

The band consisted of a drum major, pipe major, pipers, dancers, a bass drummer, tenor drummers and snare drummers.