Linfield Athletics Hall of Fame
There may have been football linemen with greater size, strength or speed than Steve Pickering, but few could claim to have a bigger heart than the 2019 Linfield Athletics Hall of Fame inductee.
A 6-foot-4, 230-pound offensive tackle in football, Pickering was a rangy lineman who was voted “Best Blocker” by his teammates following his junior season. He twice earned all-Northwest Conference recognition and was a two-time NAIA District II All-Star, and received Little All-Northwest honors as a senior.
A key contributor on three conference championship teams during his four seasons, Pickering went on to sign a professional contract with the Portland Storm of the World Football League.
He also was a two-year letterwinner in track and field, competing in shot put and discus.
“Steve was an outstanding athlete who added great leadership to the football team,” said teammate and retired Linfield coach and athletic director Scott Carnahan. “That carried over after graduation to a very successful career.”
Pickering held steadfast to the ideals instilled in him by Linfield coaches Ad Rutschman, Ted Henry and Ted Wilson.
“Hard work is essential to being successful,” Pickering said. “Success is not just about winning on the field but about doing the right thing. My coaches stressed the importance of honesty, integrity and trust. Those are values I’ve tried to apply in my business and personal life. Those are things that you never lose.”
Pickering came to Linfield from the tiny logging community of Clatskanie, graduating in 1974. He went on to a 33-year career with ESCO Steel Corporation, a $1.2 billion company headquartered in Portland. At one point Pickering was president of two of ESCO’s four business groups. He guided a complex business operation that included $350 million in annual sales, 1,200 employees and 17 locations, several of them oversees.
What made competing in athletics at Linfield enjoyable and rewarding, Pickering said, were his interactions with teammates and coaches.
“One of the best parts of competing in athletics are the relationships that a person builds on a team,” he said. “You learn about people and you are able to carry on those relationships. Even today, I stay in touch with a number of former players on a regular basis. That’s been an absolute joy.”
The Pickerings have been major contributors in support of Linfield Athletics for many years. In addition to their annual contributions to the TopCat Club, Steve and Ann generously provided funding for the remodeling of the recreational fitness area within the Linfield Athletics Complex, a project that benefited not only Linfield student-athletes but the general student population as well.
They’ve also contributed generously to several FieldTurf projects at Linfield, and established an annual scholarship fund for baseball players at Oregon State University, Ann’s alma mater.
These days, the Pickerings reside in Tucson, Arizona. Steve volunteers his time as a member of the board of directors for Commerce Bank of Arizona as well as several other boards. He and Ann stay busy following their golf- and soccer-playing grandson, traveling, and enjoying their grown children and their friends.
