Mike Hernandez

MIKE HERNANDEZ
PHS CLASS OF 2012

Mike Hernandez graduated from Piedmont High School in 2012, where he established himself as one of the most accomplished lacrosse players in school history while also competing in varsity soccer and water polo. He earned JV Lacrosse MVP as a freshman, followed by NCS Scholar Athlete recognition and BSAL All-League 2nd Team honors as a sophomore. As a junior, he was named BSAL All-League 1st Team at midfield and Team MVP. His senior season was extraordinary: as team captain, Mike earned BSAL League MVP, BSAL All-League 1st Team, and Team MVP honors, while also being named a US Lacrosse High School All-American, an Adrenaline All-American, and to the East Bay All-Lacrosse Team. He helped lead Piedmont to the NCS tournament Final Four and was named Piedmont High School's Co-Male Athlete of the Year. He finished his PHS career as the program's all-time leader in points, goals, and assists before signing his National Letter of Intent with the University of Michigan.

Mike continued his career at the University of Michigan, playing four seasons of Division I lacrosse from 2013 through 2016. He was selected to the ECAC All-Rookie Team as a freshman and earned NSCA All-American recognition as a senior, graduating with a B.S. in Earth and Environmental Sciences (Geology). He then advanced to professional lacrosse with the Denver Outlaws of Major League Lacrosse, earning a roster spot through open tryouts in 2017, scoring his first professional goal against the Chesapeake Bayhawks, and subsequently being drafted by the Outlaws in 2018. He returned to the team in 2019 and 2020. In 2022, Mike earned a place on Mexico's National Team through open tryouts. He helped Mexico achieve its best-ever finish at the 2023 World Lacrosse Championships in San Diego and later contributed to a silver-medal performance at the Pan American Sixes in Kingston, Jamaica.

Mike has continued to make an impact in lacrosse through coaching and leadership. Professionally, he serves as Senior Programs Manager for Catastrophe Response and Flight Operations at Vexcel Imaging. Over the past decade, he has coached at multiple levels, including three years at Cherry Creek High School, where the program won two Colorado state championships; two years at the University of Colorado Boulder; and five years at Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda, Maryland. He also serves as an assistant coach with Mexico's U20 National Team, which finished ninth at the 2025 World Championships in Korea. From a standout Piedmont High School athlete to a Division I All-American, professional player, international competitor, and accomplished coach, Mike has carried his commitment to lacrosse well beyond his years at PHS and has represented Piedmont with distinction on national and international stages.

Steve Humphries

STEVE HUMPHRIES
PHS CLASS OF 1985

Steve Humphries, PHS Class of 1985, joins the Piedmont Sports Hall of Fame as a rare triple-category inductee, honored for his contributions as an athlete, coach and community volunteer over a career spanning more than 35 years.

A standout multi-sport athlete, Humphries starred at second base for three varsity baseball seasons, serving as team captain in 1984 and 1985 and compiling a career .322 batting average and .946 fielding percentage. He earned the Optimo Most Valuable Player Award in 1984 and the Most Inspirational Player Award in 1985, was a unanimous ACAL All-League selection his senior year, and was named Oakland Tribune Prep Player of the Week. His success on the diamond earned him a walk-on invitation to play baseball at the University of California, Berkeley. On the football field, Humphries was a two-way starter at wide receiver and safety, leading the ACAL in receiving with 50 catches for 785 yards during his all-league senior season and earning the Robert Dewey Kurkjian Perpetual Award. During his high school athletic career he earned North Coast Section Scholar Athlete honors in both baseball and football.

Following his playing days, Humphries returned to Piedmont to build a lasting coaching legacy, coaching football and baseball while also competing in rugby at Cal. He served 16 years as a frosh football assistant, as head JV baseball coach, as head varsity baseball coach in 1990 and spent seven seasons on the varsity football staff from 2004-2011 in roles including special teams, offensive line and offensive coordinator, and assistant head coach, while also overseeing football operations, fundraising and team communications. Alongside fellow coach Kurt Bryan, Humphries co-created the groundbreaking A-11 Offense, an innovative spread system utilizing multiple quarterbacks on the field simultaneously. The offense drew national attention, appearing on the front page of The New York Times and the covers of ESPN TheMagazine and ESPN Rise magazine, with its introductory video amassing more than a million views within 24 hours.

Beyond coaching, Humphries has remained a steadfast volunteer and advocate for Piedmont athletics. For nearly two decades, he has managed the Piedmont Football Historical Archive, produced game-day graphics, playoff and senior posters, and new brand identities for Piedmont High Athletics, the PHS Boosters, the Highlander Classic and the Piedmont Sports Hall of Fame itself. He has served as Chairman of the Piedmont Sports Hall of Fame, board member of the Piedmont Baseball Softball Foundation, coached youth soccer and softball, and helped launch the Piedmont Oktoberfest fundraiser, which raises more than $50,000 annually for the Boosters Club. Humphries also led the design and installation of the Jean C. Witter Memorial at Witter Field and most recently launched PiedmontGear.com for Piedmont Athletics apparel, further cementing his role as one of Piedmont athletics' most dedicated and multifaceted contributors.

Melissa Moore Berger

MISSY MOORE BERGER
PHS CLASS OF 1983

Melissa “Missy” Moore, PHS Class of 1983, was one of Piedmont High School’s standout middle-distance runners, specializing in the 800 meters. She discovered her passion for running as a freshman, and her natural ability quickly became evident. More than simply a gifted athlete, Missy approached running with an uncommon intellectual curiosity, studying form, movement, race strategy, and the mental discipline required to compete at the highest level. She developed a unique understanding of the mechanics and efficiency of motion, combining that knowledge with intense focus and determination to become an exceptional competitor.

Missy’s accomplishments at Piedmont were extraordinary. As a sophomore in 1981, she became an ACAL Champion, and as a junior in 1982, she won the NCS 2A Championship. That same year, she finished 5th in California in the 800 meters at the California High School State Track & Field Championships, posting a remarkable time of 2:10.44. Her achievements are particularly impressive given that she competed on the cinder track of her era, rather than the faster synthetic surfaces used by today's athletes. Her performances established her among the elite high school middle-distance runners in California and helped define an exceptional era of Piedmont track and field.

After graduating from Piedmont, Missy continued her running career at the University of California, Berkeley, competing for the California Golden Bears. Her legacy at PHS, however, extends well beyond her championships and state-level accomplishments. Nearly five decades later, she continues to hold a Piedmont High School track and field record—a remarkable testament to the level of athlete she was and the durability of her achievement. Missy Moore's combination of natural talent, technical mastery, mental discipline, intellectual curiosity, and sustained competitive excellence represents the qualities of a true Piedmont Sports Hall of Fame athlete.

Doyle O’Regan

DOYLE O’REGAN
TEACHER & COACH

Doyle O'Regan has been a fixture of Piedmont High School since 1984, following a path that took him from California High School to Cal and finally to Piedmont as a Highlander. A dedicated Math teacher throughout his tenure, he continues to give back today as a volunteer supporting special needs students in mathematics at PHS.

In 1986, "Coach O" took the helm of the Cross Country and Track and Field programs, and for the next 22 years his teams defined excellence in Bay Area high school athletics. Opposing coaches marveled that a school with such a limited student body could consistently field such competitive squads—a testament to his organizational skill, unwavering focus, and genuine care for his student-athletes.

The results speak for themselves. Under Coach O'Regan's leadership, Piedmont's Cross Country teams captured so many league titles that the count was eventually lost, while the Track and Field program remained perennially near or at the top of the standings. His Boys teams won eight North Coast Section Cross Country championships (1988, 1993, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2003, and 2005), and his Girls teams claimed five NCS titles (1989, 1990, 2001, 2003, and 2006), along with state titles in 1988 and 2005. Fellow coach Chris Puppione captured what made O'Regan exceptional: “he possesses an uncanny, intuitive ability to bring out the best in his athletes—coaching not through charts or science, but through artful instinct.” Even after stepping back from coaching, O'Regan remained deeply involved, directing NCS championship events and founding the Annual Piedmont Turkey Trot ton Thanksgiving, o help fund his programs during leaner budget years.

Beyond the trophies and titles, Coach O'Regan's greatest legacy may be the values he instilled and the athletes he shaped. Ever humble, he consistently redirected praise to his assistant coaches and athletes, and described his coaching philosophy simply: to teach his athletes to be humble in victory and gracious in defeat, striving always to "Achieve the Honorable." That philosophy carried many of his athletes to success at the collegiate level and beyond, including standouts such as Gordon Johnson, Steve Brown, Lauren Barbieri, and Heather Gibson—all four now fellow inductees in the Piedmont High School Hall of Fame—along with numerous others who went on to compete at schools including Oregon, Columbia, Cal, Brown, Rice, and Navy, among many more. For his decades of excellence, mentorship, and quiet integrity, Doyle O'Regan stands as deserving candidate for the Piedmont Sports Hall of Fame.

Nick Pacult

NICK PACULT
PHS CLASS OF 2016

Nick Pacult, PHS Class of 2016, was a three-sport standout who anchored the football program's defense during one of the winningest four-year stretches in Piedmont football history, playing in ten NCS playoff games and starting nine of them.

A four-year varsity starter in football from 2013-2016, he started 39 consecutive games on defense and helped lead Piedmont to 35 wins over that span, including a 12-1 season in 2014, back-to-back WACC Conference Championships (2014-15), and four NCS playoff appearances that included two Quarterfinal and two Semifinal runs. He finished his career as Piedmont's all-time leading tackler with 374 tackles, posting three consecutive 100-tackle seasons and a career-high 131 tackles in 2016. He served as team captain his senior year.

Individually, Pacult was a three-time All-WACC Linebacker (Second Team, 2014; First Team, 2015-16), runner-up for WACC Defensive Player of the Year in 2015, and a two-time Team Defensive Player of the Year (2015-16). As a senior captain and two-way starter, he rushed for 1,050 yards and scored 24 career touchdowns. He continued his football career at Pomona-Pitzer College, where he was named team captain and Defensive Player of the Year as a senior in 2021.

His excellence extended across two additional sports. A three-year varsity letterman in swimming, Pacult earned Second Team All-League honors in the 100-yard butterfly in 2014 and was named Team MVP in both 2015 and 2016, leading the team in scoring each of those seasons. He also earned a varsity letter in basketball as part of Piedmont's 2015-16 team, which finished 25-5 and won the league championship.

Nick Pacult's induction into the Piedmont Sports Hall of Fame honors a career defined by championship performance, individual excellence, and leadership across three sports.

Rebecca Richter

BECKY RICHTER
PHS CLASS OF 1980

Becky Richter, Class of 1980, was the kind of athlete who simply showed up to play—no matter the sport, the competition, or who was on the field. Basketball, soccer, powderpuff football, or an impromptu game with girls or boys—if there was a game being played, Becky wanted to be part of it. She was serious about competition, fully present, and always brought a great sense of humor and joy to the experience. Smooth and agile are the superlatives that best describe Becky as an athlete. She was an exceptional shooter, an amazing pitcher with remarkable accuracy, and possessed an unusually high sports IQ whether she was on the court or the field. As a pitcher, her distinctive slingshot delivery allowed her to seemingly place the ball in any corner of the strike zone. She rarely struck out and was a force every time she stepped onto the field.

Becky's talents extended far beyond athletics. While competing in three varsity sports, she was also an extraordinary musician who could play no fewer than ten instruments and participated in musicals, bands, and orchestra. Her ability to excel at such a high level across athletics, music, and the performing arts reflected an exceptional combination of talent, discipline, intelligence, and determination. After graduating from Piedmont, Becky attended UC Berkeley, where she continued expanding her athletic repertoire by playing women's rugby. Throughout her athletic career, her versatility, competitiveness, and natural ability made her stand out among her peers. She made every team better and seemed to elevate every game she played.

But Becky's case for the PSHOF goes beyond statistics, All-League and Team MVP accomplishments, and athletic ability. She was also one of the early pioneers of women's sports—a young woman who demonstrated, simply by stepping onto the court or field and competing at the highest level, that girls belonged there. Other girls looked up to Becky, and her example helped pave the way for those who followed to find their own place in sports. Her combination of athletic intelligence, fearlessness, versatility, and willingness to compete in virtually any sport made her an exceptional athlete, while her example gave others permission to dream bigger and participate more fully. Becky Richter didn't just participate in sports—she helped expand what was possible for the girls who came after her.

Betsy Swan Diaz

BETSY SWAN DIAZ
PHS CLASS OF 1983

Elizabeth “Betsy” Swan Diaz, PHS Class of 1983, was an extraordinary multi-sport athlete whose accomplishments at Piedmont High School reflected not only exceptional athletic ability, but also leadership, discipline, and character. During her four years at PHS, Betsy earned an impressive eleven varsity letters while competing in volleyball, soccer, and softball. She was repeatedly recognized by her peers as Most Dedicated, Most Improved, Most Inspirational, and Most Valuable, earned three All-League honors, and was named Female Athlete of the Year for the Class of 1983. Perhaps most significantly, her teammates selected her to captain all three varsity teams—volleyball, soccer, and softball—as a senior, an extraordinary testament to the trust, respect, and admiration she earned from those around her. She also played in a Women's Spring Soccer League while competing as an infielder on the PHS softball team.

Betsy's athletic accomplishments continued well beyond Piedmont. After PHS, she attended Stanford and was a starter on the Division 1 Varsity Soccer Team beginning her freshman year. After earning Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Mechanical Engineering, she built a distinguished career at Apple, where her work contributed to the development of groundbreaking products—including the original Macintosh—and where she ultimately retired in 2025 as a Senior Director in Hardware Engineering, leading teams developing products such as the Apple Watch and the AirPods. She also discovered a passion for distance running, eventually becoming a sponsored elite runner with Asics and earning multiple features in Runner's World. In 1991, she set the course record for the Napa Marathon and later competed in the 2000 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials. Her competitive spirit remains undiminished: most recently, she won her 60–64 age group in the 25K at the Race for Open Space in Big Sur, finishing 16th overall and 5th among women while defeating the next finisher in her age group by more than 45 minutes.

Betsy's legacy, however, extends far beyond statistics, championships, and professional accomplishments. She has always been defined by her discipline, consistency, integrity, and willingness to do whatever was necessary to succeed without cutting corners. She balanced three varsity sports with demanding academic responsibilities, consistently giving her full effort to every commitment, while also leading through encouragement and example. Younger athletes looked to her, teammates relied on her, and coaches valued her seriousness, kindness, and practical support. From a three-sport captain at Piedmont High School to a Division I athlete, elite marathoner, Olympic Trials competitor, accomplished engineer, and lifelong competitor, Betsy has demonstrated an extraordinary combination of athletic excellence, intellectual achievement, leadership, and character. Her record and lasting influence make Elizabeth “Betsy” Swan Diaz a truly exceptional candidate for the Piedmont Sports Hall of Fame.

Kaelli Thiel

KAELLI THIEL
PHS CLASS OF 2016

Kaelli Thiel, PHS Class of 2016, stands among the most accomplished tennis athletes in Piedmont High School history. Competing four years at #1 singles, she compilied an individual singles record of 94-10 and led the varsity team to a record of 92-13, four consecutive undefeated WAAC championships (2012-15) and NCS team titles in 2013, 2014, and 2015. She served as Team Captain in 2015.

Individually, Thiel was WAAC Singles Champion in 2012, 2014, and 2015, and NCS Singles Champion in 2014 and 2015. She was named WAAC Player of the Year three times and earned First Team All-League honors in all four seasons, achieving a USTA national ranking of 8 in the 18s division. She was named Mercury News East Bay Girls Tennis Player of the Year, PHS Senior Female Athlete, and Piedmont Post Athlete of the Year.

Her excellence extended equally to academics and character. A four-time CIF Scholar-Athlete and PHS Honor Society member, Thiel received the Ohleyer Award from the Olympic Club Foundation, the Toyota/Steve Young Student-Athlete of the Year Award from the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame, and the George Tittman Award from the Berkeley Tennis Club. She also founded Love All, a nonprofit providing tennis opportunities to under-resourced schools.

Thiel continued her athletic and academic career at Harvard University, competing on the Ivy League Championship tennis team (2017) and the varsity polo team, while earning the David Rockefeller International Experience Award and graduating in 2020 with an AB in Integrative Biology with Honors. Her post-collegiate pursuits have included research with the ALS Therapy Development Institute, certification as an EMT, motion analysis research at Samuel Merritt University, and international service through the Mamelodi Initiative in South Africa. She attended VCU School of Medicine Class of 2025.

Kaelli Thiel's induction into the Piedmont Sports Hall of Fame honors a career defined by championship performance, scholarship, and service.