4 New Inductees Named To SRVHS Athletic Hall Of Fame

SAN RAMON, CA — San Ramon Valley High School hosted its 10th Athletic Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony on Thursday. During the event at the Crow Canyon Country Club in Danville, four new inductees were honored for their outstanding athletic careers and positive examples for all SRVHS student athletes.

The 2019 inductees (bios provided by Hall of Fame organizers):

Matt “Gibber” Gibson, Class of 1986, Swimming and Water Polo

The success of SRVHS's boys swimming and water polo teams throughout the years, especially during the 1980s, was widely known. The EBAL was one of the most competitive, fastest leagues in the NCS and state. From 1982 to 1986, San Ramon had a standout athlete, Matt “Gibber” Gibson, who left his mark of commitment and dominance that is truly represented in our Hall of Fame.

Gibber, from the first day he stepped foot on campus as a freshman, never lost an EBAL race—never! That’s four years, three events per swim meet, without a loss! Pretty impressive and surely he was one of the most dominate swimmers in SRV and perhaps league history!

His swimming accomplishments included: four-year Varsity Letterman; four years undefeated in EBAL swim meets; four years as SRV League champions; four years being named as Athlete of the Week; four years of holding the top times in his events; 1986 Athlete of the Year by the Tri-Valley Herald and Oakland Tribune; a multi-event All American. Matt’s performance along with his teammates, ended the year with the USA Today Ranking SRV as #1 in the country!

In water polo, Matt was the team captain and earned the team’s Most Inspirational award. In his senior season, SRV was undefeated until the NCS championship game. His water polo accomplishments include: three-year Letterman; three years undefeated in EBAL league games; three years EBAL champions; three years All NCS selection and All American.

At USC, Matt was a member of the 1987 and 1988 Division 1 National Championship Runner-ups (Stanford and Texas).

In his professional career, Matt has carried his passion from the pool to his business career. He has always prided himself at trying to be the best he can be. He lives in Eagle, Idaho and enjoys spending time with his wife, Crystal, and two children, Celeste, 20, and Jesse, 12.

Eric McDonough, Class of 1987, Basketball

From the first time Eric played in the San Ramon Valley High School gym as a skinny seventh grader, it was clear there were great things ahead. In four years, he never missed a practice, lifting or early morning workout. Eric was one of the most dedicated players to wear the SRV uniform! He was a three-year starter and graduated as the leading scorer in the history of SRV. During his junior season, Eric was named the player of the year in the EBAL, while leading the Wolves to their first league championship in 15 years. He was named the MVP of the Independence Tournament in San Jose, while scoring a career-high 49 points (without benefit of the three-point line) in a win over Overfelt High School.

In his senior season, Eric was named First Team All-League, leading the Wolves to their second straight EBAL championship. He averaged over 21 points, 14 rebounds, three assists and two blocked shots per game. Eric was named the MVP of the Irvine World News Classic by averaging over 25 points per game in leading the Wolves to the championship of the 16-team tournament that featured Adam Keefe, who later played at Stanford and in the NBA. Eric’s Wolves defeated Keefe’s team in a head-to-head matchup in the second round, an upset the event’s hosts did not think possible! San Ramon was a North Coast Section semifinalist that season. He was named to the Long Beach Press-Telegram’s prestigious “Best in the West” poll and was an Honorable Mention McDonald’s All-American in 1987.

Eric received scholarship offers from dozens of major schools, before accepting a full scholarship to the University of California-Berkeley. He played three seasons at Cal, where he was a regular contributor and occasional starter, before an injury cut short his career. Eric graduated from Cal in 1992 with a BA in political science. He attended law school at Santa Clara University, from where he obtained his JD in 1997. Eric has been a practicing attorney for 22 years. Just recently, Eric joined Vedder Price, another Chicago-based firm, where he practices civil litigation.

Eric has been happily married to another Cal grad, Sarretta, for 16 years. Sarretta is also an attorney, practicing at IntelCorporation in San Jose. They have two children, Lauren, 13, a freshman at Brentwood School in Los Angeles, where she plays volleyball, soccer (which she chose over basketball!) and runs track, and Kellen, 9, a third-grader who is an all-around athlete at Franklin Elementary in Santa Monica.

Eric coaches youth basketball in Pacific Palisades (Lauren’s teams) and Santa Monica (Kellen’s teams) and stays involved in Cal Basketball in various ways.

Greg Wilson, Class of 2008, Football

Growing up, Greg was usually one of the youngest and smallest players on the team. Even as a returning player, coaches were always trying to replace him. His personal motto is to “believe” in yourself and to work hard toward your goals and things will take care of themselves. For Greg, they usually did!

Greg was always an unassuming young man—quiet, diligent and hard working. At the wide receiver position, many times you find a personality that not only needs the attention but demands it. Greg was the complete opposite of that. Whatever was asked or demanded of Greg, he delivered, like a professional (even though he was just a teenager). He became one of the great wide receivers in SRVHS history and did so by being a true team player. It did not matter if the
ball was thrown his way or not, you would see him giving maximum effort!

Greg was a huge part of the Wolves success in 2007 and earned the team “Mr. Clutch” award. Whether we ran him on a deep route, or a “jail break” type of screen, when he got his hands on the ball he had the ability to score from any spot on the field. His speed, determination, skillset and “team first” mentality helped propel SRV to an EBAL and NCS title, as well as his future success in the collegiate and professional ranks.

After high school Greg was “done with sports," having played multiple sports per year, every year growing up. He attended Diablo Valley College and was ready to transfer to a four-year school when he came home one day stating to his parents, “I think I messed up, I still want to play. Is it ok if I stay an extra semester to see if I can make the team”? Greg not only made the team at DVC, he helped them make it to the Graffiti Bowl championship and was named to the 1st team All-California for Offense Wide Receiver.

Following this success, Greg had many schools trying to convince him to come to their school. He chose Fordham University in New York, earning a full scholarship. Greg was a two-year starter at wide receiver and returning kicks. He also earned NCAA FCS performer of the week honors.

Following college, Greg was invited to attend the San Francisco 49ers Rookie camp as a walk on. In 2013, he had a tryout with the Denver Broncos, getting signed to their practice squad, and being part of the team that won the AFC Championship and went to the Super Bowl. He was resigned the following year.

Greg then played two years for the Calgary Stampeders, in the pass happy Canadian Football league. Greg received player of the week honors and helped the Stampeders make it to the Canadian championship, Grey Cup.

Greg now lives in Pleasanton and is dating Kelsey Parker. He works for Lennar Homes in the Land Development division.

Hans de Lannoy, Coach, A History of Dedicating His Life to Teaching/Coaching

Coach de Lannoy began his coaching career at his alma mater Cubberley High School located in Palo Alto in the fall of 1972. In the ensuing winter, he coached the girls varsity, girls junior varsity and boys junior varsity simultaneously. It was the beginning of a career that has spanned five decades. He has 40 years of coaching experience including: junior varsity boys coach at Cubberely High School from 1972-76; varsity boys coach at Cubberley High School from 1977-79, Gunn High School from 1980-81, San Ramon Valley High School from 1982-87 and California High School from 1991-98; as well as the varsity girls coach at Cubberley High School in 1972 and at San Ramon Valley High School since 2001.

In 1986 and 1987, he directed the San Ramon High School boys in back-to-back EBAL championships, including a division one final four finish in 1987. In 2006, he led the San Ramon Valley High School girls basketball team to its first ever NCS championship. His year was capped by being named Cal High sports.com girls division 1 state coach of the year.

In 1983-84, Coach de Lannoy led his Wolves to their first ever play-off appearance and was named the Contra Costa Times Coach of the Year! Coach de Lannoy has coached some of the most successful teams in Cubberley, Gunn, San Ramon and California high school boys basketball history! He has coached the only NCS girls basketball championship team in San Ramon Valley history!

Coach de Lannoy has been serving the youth of our community for 33 years as a member of San Ramon Valley’s High School’s faculty.Coach deLannoy has been a commencement speaker on 10 occasions and has been a keynote speaker at over 50 rally speeches. He has been very active in raising funds and has directed over 35 fundraisers. He been honored as Mr. San Ramon in 2002 and was a two-time Mason McDuffie outstanding teacher award winner. He is a three-time honoree of the parent teacher student association.

Hans has always instilled a positive attitude toward all students/athletes he has encountered and has always strived for each to achieve their best while enjoying what they do. His has left an impression on thousands, who even today, may see Hans after decades and are excited to see him and pick up conversations as if no time had passed. When former students/athletes think of their years at San Ramon High, they think of Hans.