True Hillmen: Dwight and Mary Odom have supported Placer athletics for half a century

If there was a Placer High basketball game in the past 52 years, you can bet you'd find Dr. Dwight and Mary Odom sitting in the home stands of the Earl Crabbe Gym, front row, mid-court. If there was a football game at LeFebvre Stadium, you can be sure they'd be there, too. For their undying support and loyalty to Placer High sports, the couple will be inducted into the PHS Athletic Hall of Fame on April 29 in a ceremony in the school's iconic Earl Crabbe Gym. In November 1971, after researching 40 cities to establish an OBGYN practice, the couple fell in love with Auburn. Dwight set up an office at 1212 High Street, basically right across from the high school, and became the first obstetrician in town. They were told of a basketball tournament at the high school that year called the Kendall Arnett, which was being played in December rather than February for the first time. The couple decided to attend and were astounded by the school and community spirit, the competition and sportsmanship. Thus began a 52-year love affair with Placer High athletics. They've witnessed a lot over the years. Mary especially liked coaches Tom Barry and John Balaam because they molded young men and taught sportsmanship. She can easily name players and siblings she's seen play over time but thought Hall of Famer Jim Hardey (PHS class of 1973) was one of the best. She especially liked to watch the underclassmen develop and mature into varsity players and claims to have attended at least one game of every sport at the school except for boys soccer. Dwight admired football coaches Bill Miller and Tom Johnson, and especially remembers the last-second George Harrison-to-Denny Brewer pass that beat arch-rival Nevada Union in 1977, and the 1980 CIF championship win over Ponderosa. He admired basketball coaches Mark Lee, Jim Mallery and Don Meads and said this season's boys team was outstanding, playing their hearts out in Lee's last year. The couple has also contributed their own line of athletes to Placer sports. Son David played football and basketball, and daughter Melissa played tennis, basketball and skied for the Hillmen. Granddaughters Laurel played tennis, basketball and soccer, while Kendall played soccer, swam and was dance team captain. The couple loves living in Auburn and the way everybody supports the school and community. "We've never been disappointed with choosing to live in Auburn," Dwight said. "It's a wonderful place to live. We absolutely love all the wonderful people we've met here." Mary agreed, saying, "We are so lucky to have lived in Auburn. We knew our kids would go to school at Placer, so we decided to be involved in all things Placer." Both are avid skiers, golfers and tennis players. Dwight, originally from southwest Texas, played football, basketball and track in high school. Mary spent 15 years attending summer camp in Minnesota and became the director of sailing, a skill she taught her husband. Dwight became an accomplished sailer, participating in three single-sailing competitions from San Francisco to Hawaii. During his time in Auburn, Dwight became a prominent person in the medical profession and community. He has served as chief of staff at Auburn Faith Hospital, a member of the teaching staff at UC Davis Medical School, a member of the American Cancer Society as well as serving as chairman of the board of Auburn Bank of Commerce. Mary was a stay-at-home mom, teaching her children skiing, tennis and golf, and is proud that both attended UC schools. A reception will begin at 6 p.m. April 29, followed by the induction ceremony at 7. Tickets for the reception cost $35 and are available online at https://placerathletics.bpt.me. The ceremony is free of charge to the public.