The Medved Family
2012
All
In the 1920s and ‘30s, the concept of organized sports for young children didn’t exist. Like most kids in the Depression Era, both Bob and Shirley spent time after school working at various jobs to earn money for clothes and spending money. Born and raised in Idaho, Bob’s first job was picking up potatoes left behind a tractor and digger. It was grueling work for an 8-year old! Three of his teenage summers were spent doing backbreaking work with the Forest Service digging up bushes in the remote Bitterroot Mountains. Shirley also spent time behind a tractor in the daffodil fields in Sumner where she picked up bulbs as they were being plowed. As a young girl she earned respect for her mettle and determination by shoveling two tons of coal from a railroad car into a delivery truck.
Bob tried a short, but unsuccessful, stint in the boxing ring after a gift of boxing gloves from his uncle Francis. Since he was a year younger than his classmates and small for his age, he loved sports but he had a hard time making the teams in high school. They didn’t even have a football uniform small enough to fit him! After a lackluster performance during track season, his coach told him, “You will never be an athlete, but someday you might make one.” “ I sure did. I made several!” Bob remarked in his memoirs that he wrote at age 80.
Bob and Shirley first met on the tennis court where she was a member of the Sumner High School team as a 16-year-old sophomore. Married just a year later, they put tennis rackets aside and Shirley spent her next 22 years focused on producing their eventual clan of 12 children. Her physical stamina should have earned her several varsity letters.
Early in their marriage, Bob bowled on a league team for several years. As a UW football fan, he and Shirley were planning a trip to the Rose Bowl in 1961. When their kids complained about not being able to go along, Bob told them that if Ron ever played in the Rose Bowl that the whole family could go. Ron was only 16 at the time, but he showed athletic potential. The pressure was on. Ron signed with UW and in his second year, the Huskies played Illinois in the Rose Bowl. Bob kept his promise and the Medved family traveled to Pasadena for the January 1, 1964 Rose Bowl and a family vacation. (Karen was just an infant and the last three Medved boys were not even born yet!)
Shirley logged a million miles as she shuttled 12 kids to and from all sorts of athletic practices and events over 40 years. She was always up for a challenge and she even tried a few throws with Ron’s shot put. Eventually she could hurl that thing beyond several garbage cans in the alley. One day when Shirley was in her mid-40s, she got out of the station wagon holding a couple of grocery bags. Tim yelled at her to, "GO DEEP!" She acknowledged the audible, set the bags on the hood of the car and booked it down 57th Street. As Pat threw the pass just out of her reach, she clipped the curb and spilled on the asphalt. She was furious that she had torn her brand new black polyester pants but was laughing as Tom helped her up, with bits of gravel still embedded in her knees.
Bob and Shirley often traveled to follow their kids’ teams on out of town road trips and to several conference championships. They eventually bought a motor home, which enabled them to bring along more family members to fill the stands. In their fifth decade of sports spectatorship, they hit the road to watch their grandchildren compete in Major League Soccer, women’s college soccer, college basketball, high school swimming, lacrosse, and soccer. When professional football came to Seattle in 1976, they became Seahawks season ticket-holders and embodied the spirit of the “12th Man” for 32 years. Both passed away in 2008.
The Medved offspring exhibited talent across many sports and many decades. From oldest to youngest, the following details highlight Medved family contributions to Tacoma athletic history.
Ron Medved
Ron was born May 27, 1944 and graduated from Bellarmine in 1962, earning 10 varsity letters (three football, three basketball and ran four track) for the Lions. He also garnered all-city team honors in football and basketball (twice).
His gridiron ability took him to the University of Washington as a running back and defensive back. He was a three-year letterman for the Huskies and in 1965, he was co-captain and won the Flaherty Medal for most inspirational player. In a 1963 game against Stanford, Ron’s 88-yard touchdown run was the fifth longest in UW history. The 1963 team won the Pac-8 championship and played Illinois in the Rose Bowl. Ron played in the East-West Shrine Game in 1965, the Hula Bowl in 1966 and the Coaches All-American Bowl in 1966. Drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 14th round of the 1966 NFL draft, Ron played defensive back and linebacker for the Eagles through the 1970 season. He had three career NFL interceptions.
The family’s athletic genes were carried on by Ron’s son, Shawn, and his daughter, Erin. Shawn played 10 years of professional soccer, winning the MLS championship with DC United in 1996 and scored a goal in the championship tilt. He also played for the Tacoma Stars. Erin played on the women’s soccer team at the University of Washington. Shawn’s daughters are also exceptional soccer players, extending the family sports prowess to a fourth generation. Ron is currently a consultant and resides in Buckley.
Judy Medved Goggin
Judy was born July 25, 1945 and graduated from St. Leo’s in 1963. Before girls sports were included at the high school level, Judy played CYO basketball and participated in City League track. She was later a cheerleader for Bellarmine games, many that Ron played in. Judy was a guard on the 1959 St. Leo’s CYO girl’s basketball championship team.
Judy went to Marylhurst College in Oregon, a women’s school that did not offer competitive sports. But, Judy learned to play golf there from a nun who was a professional golfer before entering the convent. While in graduate school at St. Louis University she organized a women’s flag football team and convinced a reluctant athletic director to allow her to stage a game at halftime of the men's game. “He told me he was very concerned that contact sports put women at risk of breast cancer!,” Judy said. “He told me I had to assume responsibility for my players in that regard and live with the consequences. Different times!”
Judy’s daughter Molly recently placed third in her age dividion in a road race and her son Mike travels around the country as an operations manager for PGA golf tournaments. Judy is a non-profit executive in Boston.
John Medved
John was born March 19, 1949 and graduated from Bellarmine in 1967. “My athletic `career’ could fit onto a sticky note!,” he said. He was a member of the golf team at Bellarmine. Now retired in the Palm Springs area, John plays golf only on days that end in Y. John remembers being the coach of the 6th grade basketball team of St. Ann's Grade School which included brothers Pat, Tom, and Tim.
Susie Medved Rogers
Susie was born April 18, 1950 and graduated from St. Leo’s in 1968. She played some basketball at St. Leo’s and was a cheerleader but was a bit premature for organized athletics for girls. Later, she got involved in swimming, rowing and running, and is still active in skiing, tap dancing and creative problem solving competitions. Taking first place in the 1970 Seattle University homecoming tricycle race and earning her ONLY athletic trophy, rates as the highlight of Susie’s athletic career.
“Even though I grew up in pre-Title IX days and did not play competitive sports in high school, the competitive spirit was pretty engrained in all 12 Medveds,” Susie said. Her children, Libby, Tighe and Heidi, were all involved in sports at Seattle Prep. Tighe was a high school All-American swimmer.
Michael Medved
Michael was born August 7, 1952 and graduated from Bellarmine in 1970. He attended the University of Washington and was inducted into the Bellarmine Booster Athletic Hall of Fame in 2011 as team manager along with the basketball teams of 1966-67 and 1967-68 which won back-to-back city championships.
Pat Medved
Pat was born December 28, 1954 and graduated from Bellarmine in 1973 and the University of Denver in 1977. As a youngster Pat was an avid Punt, Pass, & Kick participant and was successful in advancing to Regional competition. A high school All-City selection in both football and basketball, pat was along among the best triple jumpers in the state as well. Those accomplishments earned him a well-deserved place in the Bellarmine Booster Athletic Hall of Fame in 2011
In 1974, as a workhorse forward for the Spar Tavern, Pat competed with fellow Bellarmine Lions hoopsters Mario Menconi, Larry Smith and Frank O’Loughlin that competed in the first-ever 6’ & Under National Basketball Tournament at PLU.
Pat’s son, Marcus, was a track standout for Stadium. Pat enjoyed golfing and worked for Broadcast Supply Worldwide in Tacoma before his death in 2009.
Tom Medved
Born May 28, 1956, Tom graduated from Bellarmine in 1974 and WSU in 1978.
During his sophomore and junior years the Lions not only won the Tacoma City League championship but they also placed second in the state in the AP poll his junior year. He started at inside linebacker and played some receiver his junior and senior years and was selected second team all-city his senior year. In addition to being a three-year letterman in football, Tom also played basketball, lettering for the varsity his junior year. His career highlight was a long shot from the corner in overtime to beat league champ Wilson. Tom’s three children, Kristen, Robbie and Shannon, all competed in soccer and softball. Tom died in August 2010.
Tim Medved
Tim was born August 9, 1957 and played football and basketball at Bellarmine where he graduated from Bellarmine in 1975. He kept in shape later by climbing Mount Rainier in 1989 and running the Capitol City Marathon in 1998. All three of Tim’s kids were involved in sports at Olympia HS. Sheelah, was a cheerleader and Leslie played basketball and soccer. Curtis also played basketball for UPS and has been the Head Coach for Tumwater HS since he was 23 years old. Tim lives in Tacoma and owns and operates U Cool Refrigeration.
Karen Medved
A graduate of Bellarmine in 1981 and Santa Clara University in 1985, Karen was born March 29, 1963. Soccer was Karen’s main sport where she played center midfield but she also competed in volleyball and ran track. As a member of the Fircrest Sweetfoots, the team amassed a record of 350-2-6 during a four-year span. Her Nortac Carrera team won the Western Regionals in 1979 and then went on to take 3rd at the National Championships in Dallas in 1980.
With Title IX having created more opportunity for women’s college athletics, Karen took her soccer talent to Santa Clara. The team MVP in 1981 and the captain from 1982-85, Karen held the Santa Clara record for most career assists until 1985. Watch out soccer fans! Daughters, Mia and Kate, just started playing last year. Karen currently is a realtor in California.
Kevin Medved
Kevin was born September 4, 1964 and graduated from Bellarmine in 1983. He earned three letters in football (quarterback, running back, wide receiver, safety), two in basketball (guard) and two in baseball (pitcher, outfielder). Kevin was a first-team All-Narrows League in football his junior and senior years. He tied the Narrows League scoring record for a single game with 22 points (3 TDs and 2 2-point conversions) against Lincoln. He was captain of the football team that was 9-2 and state semifinalists in 1982.
Kevin and his wife Kara (another former Bellarmine athlete) have two sons: Chris, an all-state soccer player, and Colin, an all-state lacrosse player, for Littleton High School in Colorado. Married 28 years to Kara, Kevin is a Transportation Manager for Shamrock Foods.
Jim Medved
Jim was born May 30, 1966 and graduated from Bellarmine in 1984 and from the University of Idaho in 1988. Jim was a wide receiver and linebacker on the Lion’s state semifinals teams in 1983 and 1984.
Jim helped the Idaho Vandals win the Big Sky championship in 1985, ’87 and ’88 and was a member of the squad that advanced to the NCAA Division I-AA semifinals in 1988. Jim was named the special teams player of the year in 1987. He happily remembers never losing a game to Boise State. His two daughters, Amanda and Lindsey, are promising soccer and basketball players. Jim is a financial advisor in Seattle.
Jerry Medved
Jerry was also born May 30, 1966 and … yes, No. 11 and No. 12 arrived together. He graduated from Bellarmine in 1984 and the University of Idaho in 1989. A standout linebacker for the Lions, he was a team captain his senior season and played in the East-West all-state game.
At Idaho, Jerry was the special teams player of the year in 1985 and a team captain and defensive player of the year in 1988. He was also an NCAA Division I-AA All-American honorable mention selection as a senior. He ranks 10th on the Idaho career tackles list. A financial advisor in Seattle like his twin brother Jim, Jerry has two children. Nick plays football and lacrosse for Bishop Blanchet and Natalie is an accomplished equestrian.
Bob tried a short, but unsuccessful, stint in the boxing ring after a gift of boxing gloves from his uncle Francis. Since he was a year younger than his classmates and small for his age, he loved sports but he had a hard time making the teams in high school. They didn’t even have a football uniform small enough to fit him! After a lackluster performance during track season, his coach told him, “You will never be an athlete, but someday you might make one.” “ I sure did. I made several!” Bob remarked in his memoirs that he wrote at age 80.
Bob and Shirley first met on the tennis court where she was a member of the Sumner High School team as a 16-year-old sophomore. Married just a year later, they put tennis rackets aside and Shirley spent her next 22 years focused on producing their eventual clan of 12 children. Her physical stamina should have earned her several varsity letters.
Early in their marriage, Bob bowled on a league team for several years. As a UW football fan, he and Shirley were planning a trip to the Rose Bowl in 1961. When their kids complained about not being able to go along, Bob told them that if Ron ever played in the Rose Bowl that the whole family could go. Ron was only 16 at the time, but he showed athletic potential. The pressure was on. Ron signed with UW and in his second year, the Huskies played Illinois in the Rose Bowl. Bob kept his promise and the Medved family traveled to Pasadena for the January 1, 1964 Rose Bowl and a family vacation. (Karen was just an infant and the last three Medved boys were not even born yet!)
Shirley logged a million miles as she shuttled 12 kids to and from all sorts of athletic practices and events over 40 years. She was always up for a challenge and she even tried a few throws with Ron’s shot put. Eventually she could hurl that thing beyond several garbage cans in the alley. One day when Shirley was in her mid-40s, she got out of the station wagon holding a couple of grocery bags. Tim yelled at her to, "GO DEEP!" She acknowledged the audible, set the bags on the hood of the car and booked it down 57th Street. As Pat threw the pass just out of her reach, she clipped the curb and spilled on the asphalt. She was furious that she had torn her brand new black polyester pants but was laughing as Tom helped her up, with bits of gravel still embedded in her knees.
Bob and Shirley often traveled to follow their kids’ teams on out of town road trips and to several conference championships. They eventually bought a motor home, which enabled them to bring along more family members to fill the stands. In their fifth decade of sports spectatorship, they hit the road to watch their grandchildren compete in Major League Soccer, women’s college soccer, college basketball, high school swimming, lacrosse, and soccer. When professional football came to Seattle in 1976, they became Seahawks season ticket-holders and embodied the spirit of the “12th Man” for 32 years. Both passed away in 2008.
The Medved offspring exhibited talent across many sports and many decades. From oldest to youngest, the following details highlight Medved family contributions to Tacoma athletic history.
Ron Medved
Ron was born May 27, 1944 and graduated from Bellarmine in 1962, earning 10 varsity letters (three football, three basketball and ran four track) for the Lions. He also garnered all-city team honors in football and basketball (twice).
His gridiron ability took him to the University of Washington as a running back and defensive back. He was a three-year letterman for the Huskies and in 1965, he was co-captain and won the Flaherty Medal for most inspirational player. In a 1963 game against Stanford, Ron’s 88-yard touchdown run was the fifth longest in UW history. The 1963 team won the Pac-8 championship and played Illinois in the Rose Bowl. Ron played in the East-West Shrine Game in 1965, the Hula Bowl in 1966 and the Coaches All-American Bowl in 1966. Drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 14th round of the 1966 NFL draft, Ron played defensive back and linebacker for the Eagles through the 1970 season. He had three career NFL interceptions.
The family’s athletic genes were carried on by Ron’s son, Shawn, and his daughter, Erin. Shawn played 10 years of professional soccer, winning the MLS championship with DC United in 1996 and scored a goal in the championship tilt. He also played for the Tacoma Stars. Erin played on the women’s soccer team at the University of Washington. Shawn’s daughters are also exceptional soccer players, extending the family sports prowess to a fourth generation. Ron is currently a consultant and resides in Buckley.
Judy Medved Goggin
Judy was born July 25, 1945 and graduated from St. Leo’s in 1963. Before girls sports were included at the high school level, Judy played CYO basketball and participated in City League track. She was later a cheerleader for Bellarmine games, many that Ron played in. Judy was a guard on the 1959 St. Leo’s CYO girl’s basketball championship team.
Judy went to Marylhurst College in Oregon, a women’s school that did not offer competitive sports. But, Judy learned to play golf there from a nun who was a professional golfer before entering the convent. While in graduate school at St. Louis University she organized a women’s flag football team and convinced a reluctant athletic director to allow her to stage a game at halftime of the men's game. “He told me he was very concerned that contact sports put women at risk of breast cancer!,” Judy said. “He told me I had to assume responsibility for my players in that regard and live with the consequences. Different times!”
Judy’s daughter Molly recently placed third in her age dividion in a road race and her son Mike travels around the country as an operations manager for PGA golf tournaments. Judy is a non-profit executive in Boston.
John Medved
John was born March 19, 1949 and graduated from Bellarmine in 1967. “My athletic `career’ could fit onto a sticky note!,” he said. He was a member of the golf team at Bellarmine. Now retired in the Palm Springs area, John plays golf only on days that end in Y. John remembers being the coach of the 6th grade basketball team of St. Ann's Grade School which included brothers Pat, Tom, and Tim.
Susie Medved Rogers
Susie was born April 18, 1950 and graduated from St. Leo’s in 1968. She played some basketball at St. Leo’s and was a cheerleader but was a bit premature for organized athletics for girls. Later, she got involved in swimming, rowing and running, and is still active in skiing, tap dancing and creative problem solving competitions. Taking first place in the 1970 Seattle University homecoming tricycle race and earning her ONLY athletic trophy, rates as the highlight of Susie’s athletic career.
“Even though I grew up in pre-Title IX days and did not play competitive sports in high school, the competitive spirit was pretty engrained in all 12 Medveds,” Susie said. Her children, Libby, Tighe and Heidi, were all involved in sports at Seattle Prep. Tighe was a high school All-American swimmer.
Michael Medved
Michael was born August 7, 1952 and graduated from Bellarmine in 1970. He attended the University of Washington and was inducted into the Bellarmine Booster Athletic Hall of Fame in 2011 as team manager along with the basketball teams of 1966-67 and 1967-68 which won back-to-back city championships.
Pat Medved
Pat was born December 28, 1954 and graduated from Bellarmine in 1973 and the University of Denver in 1977. As a youngster Pat was an avid Punt, Pass, & Kick participant and was successful in advancing to Regional competition. A high school All-City selection in both football and basketball, pat was along among the best triple jumpers in the state as well. Those accomplishments earned him a well-deserved place in the Bellarmine Booster Athletic Hall of Fame in 2011
In 1974, as a workhorse forward for the Spar Tavern, Pat competed with fellow Bellarmine Lions hoopsters Mario Menconi, Larry Smith and Frank O’Loughlin that competed in the first-ever 6’ & Under National Basketball Tournament at PLU.
Pat’s son, Marcus, was a track standout for Stadium. Pat enjoyed golfing and worked for Broadcast Supply Worldwide in Tacoma before his death in 2009.
Tom Medved
Born May 28, 1956, Tom graduated from Bellarmine in 1974 and WSU in 1978.
During his sophomore and junior years the Lions not only won the Tacoma City League championship but they also placed second in the state in the AP poll his junior year. He started at inside linebacker and played some receiver his junior and senior years and was selected second team all-city his senior year. In addition to being a three-year letterman in football, Tom also played basketball, lettering for the varsity his junior year. His career highlight was a long shot from the corner in overtime to beat league champ Wilson. Tom’s three children, Kristen, Robbie and Shannon, all competed in soccer and softball. Tom died in August 2010.
Tim Medved
Tim was born August 9, 1957 and played football and basketball at Bellarmine where he graduated from Bellarmine in 1975. He kept in shape later by climbing Mount Rainier in 1989 and running the Capitol City Marathon in 1998. All three of Tim’s kids were involved in sports at Olympia HS. Sheelah, was a cheerleader and Leslie played basketball and soccer. Curtis also played basketball for UPS and has been the Head Coach for Tumwater HS since he was 23 years old. Tim lives in Tacoma and owns and operates U Cool Refrigeration.
Karen Medved
A graduate of Bellarmine in 1981 and Santa Clara University in 1985, Karen was born March 29, 1963. Soccer was Karen’s main sport where she played center midfield but she also competed in volleyball and ran track. As a member of the Fircrest Sweetfoots, the team amassed a record of 350-2-6 during a four-year span. Her Nortac Carrera team won the Western Regionals in 1979 and then went on to take 3rd at the National Championships in Dallas in 1980.
With Title IX having created more opportunity for women’s college athletics, Karen took her soccer talent to Santa Clara. The team MVP in 1981 and the captain from 1982-85, Karen held the Santa Clara record for most career assists until 1985. Watch out soccer fans! Daughters, Mia and Kate, just started playing last year. Karen currently is a realtor in California.
Kevin Medved
Kevin was born September 4, 1964 and graduated from Bellarmine in 1983. He earned three letters in football (quarterback, running back, wide receiver, safety), two in basketball (guard) and two in baseball (pitcher, outfielder). Kevin was a first-team All-Narrows League in football his junior and senior years. He tied the Narrows League scoring record for a single game with 22 points (3 TDs and 2 2-point conversions) against Lincoln. He was captain of the football team that was 9-2 and state semifinalists in 1982.
Kevin and his wife Kara (another former Bellarmine athlete) have two sons: Chris, an all-state soccer player, and Colin, an all-state lacrosse player, for Littleton High School in Colorado. Married 28 years to Kara, Kevin is a Transportation Manager for Shamrock Foods.
Jim Medved
Jim was born May 30, 1966 and graduated from Bellarmine in 1984 and from the University of Idaho in 1988. Jim was a wide receiver and linebacker on the Lion’s state semifinals teams in 1983 and 1984.
Jim helped the Idaho Vandals win the Big Sky championship in 1985, ’87 and ’88 and was a member of the squad that advanced to the NCAA Division I-AA semifinals in 1988. Jim was named the special teams player of the year in 1987. He happily remembers never losing a game to Boise State. His two daughters, Amanda and Lindsey, are promising soccer and basketball players. Jim is a financial advisor in Seattle.
Jerry Medved
Jerry was also born May 30, 1966 and … yes, No. 11 and No. 12 arrived together. He graduated from Bellarmine in 1984 and the University of Idaho in 1989. A standout linebacker for the Lions, he was a team captain his senior season and played in the East-West all-state game.
At Idaho, Jerry was the special teams player of the year in 1985 and a team captain and defensive player of the year in 1988. He was also an NCAA Division I-AA All-American honorable mention selection as a senior. He ranks 10th on the Idaho career tackles list. A financial advisor in Seattle like his twin brother Jim, Jerry has two children. Nick plays football and lacrosse for Bishop Blanchet and Natalie is an accomplished equestrian.