By Jacob Graves
Co-Editor-in-Chief

A list found in Randall Hall of former Cougars that played professional basketball, as well as members of the conference Hall of Fame. Photo by Jacob Graves

When thinking of premier destinations for athletes searching for a college after high school, Clackamas Community College may not come to mind at first; after all, the college doesn’t even have a football team, and hasn’t since 1977.

Community colleges across the country often serve as a bridge for Division I, II, III or NAIA schools, and cater to athletes dealing with academics, finances or late athletic development. For several former CCC athletes, that path eventually led to Division I programs, Olympic competition and professional careers. 

Becky Holliday Ward, a standout pole vaulting talent out of Sparks, Nevada attended CCC from 1999 to 2001. 

During her time at Clackamas, Ward set a national junior college pole vault record of 14-4 at the 2001 NWAC Track Championships; a mark that still stands today. 

Ward said committing to CCC was a vital step in her athletic career.

“I was recruited to CCC by [former pole vaulting coach] Rick Baggett. School was never easy for me,” said Ward. “Going to a community college after high school was a great step before I went to the University of Oregon. When I visited CCC, I fell in love with the Northwest.”

Ward said that her pole vaulting record at the college was a significant reason that the University of Oregon decided to recruit her.

“I got recruited by a lot of universities,” said Ward. “But I decided to go to the University of Oregon with its deep track history, and its love for track is unlike any other college in the country.” 

Ward later won the NCAA Outdoor Championships in 2003 before turning professional. After years of narrowly missing Olympic qualification, she competed in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London and placed ninth in the pole vault finals. 

Becky Holliday Ward competing in the women’s pole vault at the 2012 Summer Olympics. Photo provided from World Athletics

“Those nine years after winning the NCAA [Outdoor Championships] were some of the toughest years I had as an athlete,” she said. “I missed the 2004 Olympics, then missed the 2008 Olympics by two inches. To keep going for the 2012 Olympics was a hard decision, but I knew I could still get better.” 

Some athletes’ stories may not have begun directly at CCC; however, the college still proved itself to be a vital piece to this player-turned-coach’s journey. 

Cory Loebl, the current assistant throws coach for Long Beach State University, started as an aspiring track & field thrower competing in the hammer throw, discus and javelin. 

Loebl began his athletic career at Oregon State. 

“My journey to collegiate athletics didn’t follow a straight line; it actually began at Oregon State,” Loebl said. “At the time, I was focused strictly on academics, though I eventually found myself competing for the track club and entering open meets.”

Loebl later transferred to CCC after reconnecting with former high school coach and then-Clackamas throws coach Ryan Alexander. 

Loebl became the Oregon/Washington junior college champion in hammer throw in 2001 while also earning team MVP and scholar-athlete honors at CCC. 

After Clackamas, Loebl transferred to Long Beach State, where he competed in all four throwing events before transitioning into coaching.

“My transition into coaching happened rapidly,” Loebl said. “After earning my degree in kinesiology and my teaching credential, I spent a year working at the middle and high school levels.”

Cory Loebl talking with one of his players. Photo provided from Long Beach State Athletics

Loebl has since coached 82 athletes into Long Beach State’s all-time top 10 record rankings.

Loebl credited his time at CCC for his success.

“I am a firm believer that everything you do requires a solid foundation, and Clackamas provided mine,” said Loebl. “This foundation allowed me to grow through every subsequent chapter of my life.”

While Loebl’s journey led him into coaching, other athletes at CCC used the college as a stepping stone to professional sports.

Tyrell Fortune, the No. 1 wrestling recruit in 2008 out of Lakeridge High School in Lake Oswego, Oregon, said he joined CCC to focus on his studies and because of influence from former wrestling coach Josh Rhoden. 

“I came to CCC because out of high school I wasn’t ready for the big universities,” said Fortune. “I needed to learn to focus more on school and bring my grades up. Also, Coach Rhoden was straight up and very passionate about starting something special there.” 

In an archived The Clackamas Print issue printed in 2008, Tyrell Fortune (middle) is seen taking down his opponent; in the top left, current wrestling coach Brett Sanchez is also seen competing. Photo by Jacob Graves

During his time at CCC, Fortune became a two-time NJCAA national champion and later competed for Team USA in the 2009 Junior World Championships.

Fortune said his next move was Oregon State, but circumstances ended up leading him to Grand Canyon University.

“I had actually committed to Oregon State first when Jim Zalesky was the coach, but I signed for 100% scholarship and when I signed up for class he only had 90% for me, so I walked away,” said Fortune. “Long story short, that’s how I ended up at GCU.”

After graduating from Grand Canyon in 2014 and competing internationally though 2016, Fortune transitioned into MMA fighting. 

At 35 years of age and after nine years in the MMA, Fortune is currently ranked #11 officially in the UFC heavyweight division after his victory in March.

Fortune has a philosophy for anyone who stays persistent in their journey no matter how long it takes. 

“To make it this far you must love yourself, believe in yourself and God.”