Bill Rainey left with a couple championships when he graduated from Crawford High in 1962 and went on to the University of Southern California.
Rainey, who passed away recently at his home in Seattle, was the San Diego Section football player of the year in 1961 and also was the first San Diego Section track-and-field champion in the 880-yard run in 1961.
Two separate and distinctive achievements.
As a junior Rainey bested the field at Kearny High in the inaugural San Diego Section championships, winning in a time of 1:58.0.
Rainey proceeded to score 19 touchdowns in the fall and led Crawford to the CIF championship, 13-0 over Kearny, but it was in the game the previous week that forever etched Rainey’s name in San Diego Section lore.
The 175-pound halfback scored 5 touchdowns in a 31-13 victory over Helix in a contest billed as matching the two best teams in the County. Entering the game Crawford was 6-0-2 and Helix 8-0.
Crawford’s 8-0-2 championship record remains the only unbeaten season in school history.
Rainey was an all-Southern California, first-team choice by the Helms Athletic Foundation and the San Diego Section player of the year.
Bill did not defend his 880-yard championship in the spring track season. He instead contributed to Crawford’s track-and-field squad by becoming a pole vaulter.
Bill was a track teammate under coach Don Donnelly. Coach used to compete against us after workouts in different events, I believe he had been a hurdler. Bill was the only one who could compete in virtually everything, although I never saw him try the high hurdles. He could HJ 5’6″, Long Jump 20’0′, SP the 12 pound 46’0″, PV 13’2″, 440 yd dash in 50 seconds, and run 100 yards in about 10.2
Just imagine the decathlete he could have been with training on those events that he did naturally.
Coming from you, Terry, I don’t doubt those stats probably are accurate to the inch and the tenth. I remember visiting with you at those lunches Lincoln and Crawford guys enjoyed with Coach Walt Harvey. You had great recall. I was disappointed when Bill ditched the 880 in his senior year to move to the pole vault. I think if he went all out in the 440 and 880 he would have put up some good numbers. Thanks for writing.
Rick.
Thank you for your summary of my brother’s two biggest records. He was an amazing athlete and an even more amazing mentor
Chuck Rainey
Thanks for writing, Chuck. Mike Stafford is a close friend. Bill could have become an outstanding half-miler but I think football got in the way, certainly not a bad thing. Bill helped Coach Harvey, one of my coaches in P.E. at Lincoln, win a well-deserved championship. Bill’s 5 TD’s in the playoff against Helix is reminiscent of Marcus Allen’s big night in the championship in 1978.
Bill was a great guy and good friend. He will be missed.
So many great athletes from San Diego high schools. Thanks, Rick for keeping the memories alive. RIP Bill.
Stay well and stay safe, Mark. Thanks for writing.
Bill was a team mate of mine in track and field, we both ran the 880 he was always a couple of seconds ahead of me, a great competitor and gentle person.
Stay well and stay safe, Bob. Did not know, among your many accomplishments, that you alao ran track for my favorite coach at Lincoln, Walt Harvey.