Hall of Fame
In 1963, a two-sport athlete appeared at Pasadena College as a walk-on. He proceeded in that freshman year to win the Freshman Athlete of the Year Award and was freshman class president. His beginning turned into a four-year career as a starter in baseball and three-year player in basketball.
For three years Hazlett played on some of the most competitive basketball teams in Pasadena history, including with the 1966-67 team who won 25 games. In his senior year, he gave up basketball to concentrate on baseball where he had carried much of the load for the previous three years.
In baseball, Hazlett anchored the left side of the infield at either third or shortstop depending on where he was needed most. He also played first base occasionally and pitched. One time when called into action he pitched a complete game at USD holding them to two runs.
Following the freshman year as Most Outstanding Athlete including all sports, he proceeded to be Most Valuable Player and captain of the baseball team as a junior and senior. His junior year he won the Meguiar Male Athlete of the Year Award. His senior year he was an All-District player, Honorable Mention All-American and was drafted by the New York Yankees.
“I had a great appreciation and fear for Mike,” said Bill Olin, former teammate. “He had a great arm shooting down runners at first Ken Caminetti-style while playing both short and third. The fear factor only came into play when a 5-4-3 double play was in order. At second base, my fear was not whether Mike’s throw to me would be hard and accurate, but that my glove and hand would never be the same after handling those throws. He was a class act. He exhibited quiet leadership and strength of character that was impressive to me. His sportsmanship and level of maturity both on and off the field were exemplary. He represented Pasadena College every well.”
Hazlett also has had a career in professional education that is impressive and speaks highly for Pasadena/Point Loma. He taught his first two years in physical education at the Pasadena Unified School District. After that, he moved to Santa Clara and remained there for more than 32 years as a teacher, coach and athletic director. Some of his accomplishments include coaching football, water polo, track, wrestling and baseball. His baseball team never finished below second place and had a winning percentage of .700.
Hazlett is married to the former Sandy Ferris, also a graduate of Pasadena College. Their son, Kevin, is a former PLNU baseball player and graduate who went on to coach at San Diego Mesa College. Their daughter, Keri, is a former softball star at Cal State Northridge.
The award for Outstanding Achievement by an Athlete was presented to Hazlett by Bob Brower.
