Media Contact:
Rich Davi
De La Salle High School
925-288-8148
davir@dlshs.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 

NBA Alum Drew Barry '91 and Beloved Athletic Trainer Kent Mercer '87 Headline De La Salle's 2025 Hall of Fame Class

Concord, Calif., (August 20, 2025) — De La Salle High School proudly announced its 2025 Athletic Hall of Fame Class, led by standout basketball alum Drew Barry '91 and longtime Head Athletic Trainer Kent Mercer '87. This year's class honors five exceptional individuals and two storied teams, each recognized not only for their athletic accomplishments but also for their academic excellence, professional success, and service to the community.

The full 2025 Hall of Fame class includes Brady Amack '08 (football), Drew Barry '91 (basketball), Blair Hurlock '14 (cross country and track & field), Marquis Morris '14 (track & field and football), and Kent Mercer '87 (Head Athletic Trainer). The 2000 Baseball Team and the 2011 Football Team round out this year's inductees.

The Class of 2025 will be officially enshrined in the De La Salle Athletic Hall of Fame on Saturday, October 4, at 3 pm in the school's Hofmann Student Center. The induction ceremony is open to the public, and registration will be available online through the De La Salle Athletic Hall of Fame webpage.

About the Inductees:

Brady Amack – Class of 2008
Brady Amack lettered three years in football at De La Salle, where he played a key role in one of the nation's most successful prep programs. As a sophomore and junior, he was named an all-state underclassman, and as a senior, he earned all-state honors at linebacker. That same year, he was named the Contra Costa Times Football Player of the Year and the San Francisco Chronicle Regional Player of the Year, while also serving as team captain and team MVP. Amack helped lead De La Salle to the CIF Division I State Championship in his senior season.
Following high school, he continued his football career at the U.S. Air Force Academy, where he was a three-year starter at linebacker. He set a school and Mountain West Conference single-game record with 23 tackles, an achievement that earned him NCAA National Defensive Player of the Week honors. In 2011, he was named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List, an award given annually to the top defensive player in college football. Amack also served as a team captain at Air Force and led the team in tackles during his senior season.
Brady was the ultimate ironman for the De La Salle football program – playing kicker, tight end, linebacker, and serving as captain. He rarely left the field, only coming off during punts. His leadership, toughness, and selflessness made him one of the most respected players in school history. Today, Brady continues to embody those values through service and leadership in his community.
 
Drew Barry – Class of 1991
Drew Barry is one of the most accomplished basketball players to emerge from De La Salle. A standout student-athlete, Barry earned All-League, All-NorCal, and All-State honors during his high school career. His exceptional court vision, leadership, and playmaking ability made him a cornerstone of the Spartans basketball program and set the foundation for an outstanding collegiate and professional career.
After graduating from De La Salle, Drew continued his basketball journey at Georgia Tech, where he left a lasting legacy. Barry was named All-Conference, became the all-time assist leader in Georgia Tech men's basketball history, and ranks among the top 10 in assists in ACC Tournament history. His impact on the program was recognized with his induction into the Georgia Tech Athletic Hall of Fame in 2010.
Drew went on to play professionally, including time in the NBA with the Atlanta Hawks and Seattle SuperSonics, and later in Europe. His career is a testament to consistent excellence, hard work, and high-level performance at every level of the game.
Part of a legendary basketball family, Drew Barry upheld the family tradition of excellence while forging his own path. He remains a shining example of what it means to be a Spartan—both on and off the court.

Blair Hurlock – Class of 2014
Blair Hurlock stands as one of the most decorated distance runners in De La Salle history, excelling in both cross country and track while setting a standard of excellence that remains unmatched. A member of the Class of 2014, Blair's high school career was defined by record-breaking performances, championship victories, and academic distinction.
In cross country, Blair dominated the 2013 season with first-place finishes at prestigious events including the Ed Sias Invitational, Nike Invitational, and Mt. SAC Invitational. He became the first athlete ever to break 15 minutes at the historic Newhall Park course, establishing a new course record, and later broke another course record at the NCS Championships at Hayward High School. He captured the 2013 NCS Cross Country Championship title and finished 4th at the CIF Division I State Championship, the highest-ever placing by a De La Salle runner at the time. Blair went on to qualify for the Foot Locker National Championship, only the second Spartan ever to do so, and finished an incredible 8th nationally, the top finish in school history. By season's end, he was ranked 17th in the nation.
On the track, Blair continued to shine. He became just the second De La Salle runner to break 9 minutes in the 3200 meters and ranks #2 all-time at DLS in the 1600m (4:08.33) and #3 in the 3200m (9:55.39). In 2013, he captured EBAL titles in both the 1600m and 3200m, won the NCS Tri-Valley Championship, and advanced to the California State Meet, where he finished fourth in the 3200m. Blair's 1600m time also ranks #8 all-time in North Coast Section history.
In addition to his athletic accolades, Blair excelled in the classroom, graduating with a 4.23 GPA. He was named an NCS Scholar-Athlete in both cross country and track for three consecutive years and earned an athletic scholarship to Stanford University, one of the nation's top academic and athletic institutions.
Blair Hurlock's legacy at De La Salle is defined not only by his remarkable speed and endurance but also by his character, discipline, and commitment to excellence in all areas of life.

Marquis Morris – Class of 2014
Marquis Morris is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished multi-sport athletes in De La Salle history. Excelling in both track & field and football, Marquis distinguished himself with state titles, national rankings, and school records that continue to stand among the best ever at De La Salle.
In track & field, Marquis was a two-time CIF State Champion, capturing the 2014 state title in the 300-meter hurdles with a blistering time of 36.86 seconds, and finishing second in the 110-meter high hurdles at the same meet with a time of 13.68 seconds—the fifth-fastest time in the nation that year. His performance qualified him for the USATF Junior National Championships, where he reached the finals and placed sixth. As a junior, he won the California State Championship in the 110m hurdles, ranked third nationally in the event, and was the state leader in both hurdle events. He broke his own school record at the Arcadia Invitational with a time of 36.94 in the 300m hurdles, which ranked third in the nation.
Marquis earned All-American honors in both the 110m and 300m hurdles and left his mark in the record books. He remains third all-time in Contra Costa County history in both hurdle events, fifth all-time in the North Coast Section (NCS) in the 300m hurdles, and ninth all-time in the 110m hurdles. He also holds De La Salle's all-time school records in both events. Notably, his rise began early—placing third in the state as a sophomore in the 110m hurdles, a rare feat for an underclassman.
In football, Marquis was a two-year varsity starter at wide receiver. As a senior, he earned Second Team All-League honors, leading the Spartans in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdown catches. He was a key contributor to the 2013 De La Salle football team, which finished as the CIF Open Division state runner-up, extending the program's tradition of excellence following four consecutive state championships.
After graduating from De La Salle, Marquis was a standout hurdler at USC from 2015-2018, earning the title of 2015 Pac-12 Men's Freshman of the Year and capturing the Pac-12 110-meter hurdles championship the same year. His athletic career reached national heights with a 6th-place finish at the 2017 NCAA Championships, and he achieved All-American status twice. He remains etched in USC history as number 13 on the Men's Top 25 All-Time List in the 110-meter high hurdles, solidifying his legacy as one of the university's premier track and field athletes.
A dynamic and driven competitor, Marquis Morris exemplified the versatility, determination, and championship spirit of a Spartan. His success in both track and football, combined with his leadership and record-setting performances, firmly secures his place among the elite in De La Salle history.

Coaches/Staff

Kent Mercer – Class of 1987
A lifetime Spartan and pillar of the De La Salle community, Kent Mercer '87 has dedicated decades to the mission, values, and people of De La Salle High School. From student-athlete to athletic trainer, and now distinguished alumnus, Kent's deep commitment to the school is matched only by his passion for helping young men grow into their full potential.
Kent's connection to De La Salle spans over 40 years. As the youngest of four Mercer brothers to attend the school, Kent grew up on campus, attending games, festivals, and fundraisers with his family. It quickly became a second home. As a student, he captained De La Salle's first-ever water polo team and competed on the swimming team, while also discovering a passion for sports medicine through a class that would spark his future career.
After graduating, Kent earned a degree in exercise physiology from Chico State, where he met his wife, Kim, and later completed a master's degree in kinesiology at Cal State Hayward (now Cal State East Bay). In 1997, he returned to De La Salle full-time to support the football and basketball programs and was named the school's head athletic trainer in 2000, a position he has held with excellence until he retired after the 2024-25 school year. 
Kent's service to the school extended well beyond the training room. He played an integral role in the physical and emotional well-being of student-athletes across all sports, caring for every student with equal attention, whether a standout varsity athlete or a student injured in theater. His presence was a steady source of support, guidance, and trust.
Kent's dedication to De La Salle is also a family legacy. He and Kim sent both of their sons, Tanner '19 and Zachary '25, to the school as well. In honor of Kent's late father, the Mercer family established an endowment at De La Salle that continues to impact future generations.
Named the 2022 De La Salle Distinguished Alumnus of the Year, Kent is described by those who know him as humble, principled, and deeply devoted to the school's Lasallian mission. As Alumni Director Tim Roberts '88 put it, "He's just one of the finest humans that you'd want to come across."
Kent Mercer exemplifies the true spirit of De La Salle: faith, service, integrity, and brotherhood. His leadership, loyalty, and compassion have shaped the lives of countless Spartans, making him a most deserving inductee into the De La Salle Hall of Fame.
 
Teams

2000 Baseball Team
Following a surprising defeat in the previous season's North Coast Section (NCS) Championship, the 2000 De La Salle baseball team faced a season of uncertainty with only two returning starters and a completely new coaching staff led by Matt Castello '80 and John Maraccini '88. Projected to finish fourth in the Bay Valley Athletic League (BVAL), the team surpassed all expectations through a relentless work ethic, dominant pitching, and an impenetrable defense.
The Spartans finished the season with an impressive 26-1 record, capturing both the BVAL title and the NCS Championship, and ending the year ranked #2 in the state. The squad's remarkable success was driven by a fierce commitment to a team-first philosophy, expertly instilled by the coaching staff, which united a group of underdogs into one of the most resilient and high-achieving teams in De La Salle history.
Individual honors highlighted the team's talent, including the Contra Costa Times Player of the Year and four first-team BVAL selections. Notably, nine players from this roster continued their baseball careers at the collegiate level, with three advancing to professional baseball.
Known affectionately as a band of determined misfits, the 2000 team's legacy is defined not only by their victories but by their extraordinary spirit and camaraderie—qualities that left a lasting mark on the Koch Baseball Diamond and De La Salle athletics.
 
2011 Football Team
The 2011 De La Salle Spartans football team, led by legendary coach Bob Ladouceur, completed a remarkable season with a 13-1 overall record and secured the North Coast Section (NCS) Division I Championship, reinforcing their position as a powerhouse in California high school football.After an early-season loss, the Spartans demonstrated extraordinary resilience, rallying to dominate the remainder of their schedule. Their season culminated in a commanding 35-0 victory over Westlake in the CIF Open Division Bowl, marking their third consecutive Open Division title. This shutout victory was a testament to the team's relentless defense and balanced offensive attack.
Throughout the season, De La Salle's defense was a cornerstone of their success, conceding only 110 points across all games, with the championship shutout highlighting their suffocating defensive prowess. Offensively, key contributors such as quarterback Bart Houston and running back Tiapepe Vitale delivered crucial performances, with Vitale scoring multiple touchdowns in the title game.
The 2011 Spartans' ability to rebound from adversity and dominate the postseason exemplifies the grit, determination, and team-first spirit that define the De La Salle football tradition. Their season further cemented the program's legacy as one of the most respected and successful high school football teams in the nation.