September 20, 2007

Norco High inducts six into school's Athletic Hall of Fame

By JERRY SOIFER
The Press-Enterprise

NORCO - San Bernardino County Superior Court Judge Michael R. Libutti feels that Norco High School has embraced him again at a trying time in his life.

Libutti, a 1980 Norco graduate, is one of six men and women who will be inducted tonight into the school's Athletic Hall of Fame at halftime of the Cougars' football game with Los Osos. Libutti ran track and cross-country during his one year at the school.

Libutti said he is touched by the honor because he is still grieving over the death of his son, Nicholas, 15, who was one of three church youth group members killed in a traffic accident June 23 while returning from a field trip.

"It's extra special," said Libutti, 45. "I'm again embraced by these same folks who embraced me as the new guy (in 1979-80). I'm very humbled and very flattered. It's nice to be embraced by that community having just lost our son."

Norco High was one of four high schools Libutti attended. He moved to the equestrian community with his father because a cousin lived there. "They opened their hearts to the newcomer," Libutti recalled. "I'm really indebted to that town and the school's teachers and students."

Libutti carried the lessons from sports to college to his career in the law. "Coach (Ben) Gonzalez got every ounce out of every runner," Libutti said.

He earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from Cal State Fullerton in 1984. He attained his juris doctorate from Western State University College of Law in 1987.

After working for the San Bernardino County district attorney's office from 1989-2002, he was elected to the bench in 2002. He served on the Upland City Council from 1998-2002.

Libutti lives in Upland with his wife, Donna. They have four other children.

Others to be inducted into the Hall of Fame:

Kristy Irwin Mueller, a 1990 graduate. She lettered in cross-country, soccer and track. She played soccer at Cal Poly Pomona from 1990-95. She graduated with a bachelor's of science degree. She played indoor soccer in Sparks, Nev., where she lives with her husband, Geoff, and their two sons, Mason, 6 ½ , and Brandon, 4. She works for an orthopedic surgeon.

Dana Carlson Czubakowski, 1985 graduate. She lettered in soccer, volleyball and track. She organized a petition drive in 1984 to get the Corona-Norco Unified School District board to add girls soccer to the sports programs at the high school level. She participated in track, soccer and softball at Orange Coast College. She played soccer and ran track at Cal Poly Pomona while earning a bachelor's degree in physical education. She has a teaching credential in adaptive physical education and works in the Val Verde School District. She lives in Norco with her daughter, Amanda.

Ray Esparza, a 1972 graduate who lives in Riverside. He was an all-league football player at Norco. He then played at Chaffey College. He has worked 34 years for the school district maintenance department as a heavy equipment operator.

Jim Cunningham worked at Norco High as teacher, coach, athletic and activities director from 1969 to retirement in 2001.

Joshua Ready, a 1989 graduate, played football and wrestled. As a junior and senior, he competed in the state wrestling championships.