Andre Alexander (Balboa)
Andre Alexander, a 1985 Balboa High School graduate, was one of the City’s most dominant sprinters who also starred in football. A three time track medalist, he took third in the 100m in the 1983 AAA Finals and followed that up with league and CIF SF Section titles in the 100m and 200m in 1984 and 1985. During both years, Andre was undefeated during league meets in each event. Nicknamed “Turbo,” his 100 meter record time of 10.64 still stands. In football, Andre helped lead the Buccaneers to the 1984 Turkey Day title. The first team All-City running back led the league in rushing, scoring, and all purpose yards. This earned him the unanimous choice for Offensive Back of the Year award. A member of the Balboa Athletic Hall of Fame, Andre was also a football standout at Fresno State before playing in the Canadian Football League (CFL) and the World League Professional Football.
Grant Becker (Balboa)
Grant Becker is a Balboa High School alumni who attended the school from 1968 to 1971. He participated in both the Baseball and Basketball programs while at Bal but really shined in the baseball program while playing varsity for the legendary, and SF Prep Hall of Famer, Ed Nevius for three years. Grant also played varsity basketball for Oran Qualls, who also is enshrined in the SF Prep Hall of Fame, as a starting point guard. Grant was named All City in Baseball in 1970 and 1971 and also played football while a buccaneer. While at Balboa, Grant played summer ball in the prestigious Joe DiMaggio League where he was named to the All State team. He initially attended Arizona Western University on a full scholarship then spent a year at CCSF, where he was named team MVP, and another year at San Francisco State, where he was second in the nation in stolen bases, 55 steals in 32 games. Grant also spent a number of years playing semi pro ball for the nationally known Ellis Brooks Chevrolet team with the likes of Dennis Eckersley, Mike Norris, Juan Eichelberger, and Matt Gallegos. Grant also spent two years playing professionally in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada and also played for the Canadian National Team in 1975. Grant is also a member of the SF Old Timers and the Marino Perretti Group. He is married to Kathleen, and they had one son, Jason.
William Black (Official)
Bill Black is an outstanding basketball official. He has officiated basketball for forty-two years. On the court, he has been one of the top officials in Northern California. Bill has worked over fifty Nor-Cal games. He has worked a CIF championship game. He has worked two AAA championships, four Nor-Cal finals, and two WCAL championships. Bill also worked NCAA Division 2 and 3 basketball, and JC basketball. Bill is one of the few college officials who regularly works middle school games. And, did he ever work them. Bill has officiated 16 AAA middle school championship games. Bill’s story isn’t completely an on-court story. Yes, he was an outstanding official, but Bill also distinguished himself off the court. Bill was and is a community presence in basketball. He is the face of basketball officiating to many in San Francisco, Marin County, and even in Sonoma and Napa Counties. Bill worked with former McAteer teacher Fred Glosser, former CIF State rules interpreter Mike Gutierrez, and Mike Williams (a prominent Northern California basketball official) to modernize the training of new officials in San Francisco and Marin County. Bill also worked and supported numerous coaches and athletic administrators in a wide array of youth leagues. Bill ultimately became an informal officiating ambassador to high school sports and the high school community. He worked on everything from scholarship committees to high school sports fundraisers. Through his officiating and his officiating, he was known as a community leader throughout the Bay Area. Bill is also a key administrative player in officiating circles. He has had multiple terms as the President of the local San Francisco basketball officials’ association. He is part of the leadership team of the Golden Gate Officials’ Bureau, which assigned basketball officials in Marin County. His GGOB was so well-run that the Sonoma and Napa Schools hired them to assign their basketball officials in the 2010s. Eventually, the CIF noted Bill’s outstanding leadership, and appointed Bill to help evaluate and select officials for the NorCal and State tournament. Bill served in this CIF position for over a decade. Bill Black had a Hall of Fame career as a basketball official, and as an officiating administrator.
Charlie Cutler (Lowell)
Charlie earned All League (2002-2005), twice being named the MVP. Lowell won 3 AAA Championships and 2 Transbay Titles. In 2004 Charlie set the State Record with 73 RBI’s with a .636 batting average. As a Junior Charlie was selected 2nd Team Preseason All American by Collegiate Baseball, and Team One Baseball ranked him the nation’s second best catching prospect. He was also the MVP for the North in the NorCal vs. SoCal Tournament. In his senior year (2005), he was a High School All American, batting .614. Charlie went to CAL on a baseball scholarship and started 3 years for Golden Bears, serving as team captain in 2008. He was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2008, and played in the minor leagues until 2017.
Marianne Sullivan (Star of the Sea)
Marianne Sullivan began her superb volleyball career in the CYO leagues of San Francisco while attending St. Gabriel Grammar School. After entering Star of the Sea Academy High School in 1970, she was a four year varsity volleyball starter and team captain during her last three years while leading Star of the Sea Academy to four undefeated seasons. As a high school senior Marianne was selected to the USA Women’s National Volleyball Team. Also, Marianne qualified and competed in 7 United States Volleyball Association National Championships, her first 2 qualifications and competitions were at the ages 12 and 13 years old respectively. Marianne continued her volleyball career at San Jose State University where she was captain of the Spartan varsity for two years. Ms. Sullivan coached volleyball during the summers as a high school student and later coached at the grammar and high school levels. In addition to attending San Jose State, Marianne studied at the University of San Francisco and has a bachelor’s degree from Summit University. She worked in biotech and hospital administration until her retirement.