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Mel Ingram
Class of 1923Mel Ingram is often regarded as the greatest all-around athlete in Grays Harbor history.
The star of Bobcat football victories over Hoquiam in 1921 and '22, Ingram earnd 16 varsity letters at Aberdeen - four each in football, basketball, baseball, and track. He was prevented from duplicating that feat at Gonzaga University by a football injury that kept him from playing basketball as a senior.
After leading Gonzaga to a Northwest Conference baseball chapmpionship, Ingram signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates and played briefly in the majors before retiring from baseball in 1929.
He then became a successful high school coach in Idaho and Oregon and led Grants Pass High School to four state football championships before retiring in 1969. Now deceased, he is a member of the Oregon Coaches Hall of Fame. The Grants Pass High School football field is named in his honor.
