The year was 1969. In Super Bowl III, the New York Jets upset the Baltimore Colts 16-7, the Boeing 747 jetliner had its first test flight, and Medford’s BG Gould began his first season as statistician for Medford High School athletics.
53 years later, a lot of history has been recorded globally—but BG Gould is still doing statistics for both Medford High Schools—North and South—for football, basketball, and baseball (with assistance from Don Schneider).
The 71-year-old Gould—whose given first name is Bill (but don’t call him Bill)—has come a long way from his early days as a volunteer football stats recorder for Medford’s Hall of Fame football coach Fred Spiegelberg. Although there was no pay involved, Fred took care of his young staffer, bringing him along for the ride to events like the annual Shrine all-star game. It was almost heaven for BG.
In 1986, a school district position was created for BG to be the official statistician for both North and South Medford High Schools for football, boys and girls basketball, and baseball. BG can be seen in attendance at every home football game at the iconic Spiegelberg Stadium (so named after the coach’s retirement in 1982), and hoops and baseball contests in town. At the stadium, Gould is considered the unofficial ambassador to the facility.
“I help coaches find where to go and what to do,” admits BG. “That makes it easier on the visiting teams.”
During his time in the Rogue Valley, Gould has gotten to know a large number of prep athletes—many of whom went on to play at the college and even the professional level. Players like footballers Tracey Eaton (Medford HS/Portland State/Houston Oilers), Brad Arnsberg (Medford HS), who played with Texas and the Yankees in the majors and got the save for Nolan Ryan’s 300th major league victory; Chad Cota (Ashland HS/U of O/Carolina Panthers), Chad’s son Chase Cota (South Medford HS/UCLA-U of O) and basketballer Kyle Singler (South Medford HS/Duke/Detroit-Oklahoma City).
Now if this was all BG Gould had done for the last 53 years, it would be impressive all on its own. But BG’s activity in Southern Oregon sports extends beyond the two high schools.
For 14 seasons, Gould served as the official scorer for the Medford area’s minor league baseball affiliate known by several names—the Medford A’s, Southern Oregon A’s, the Southern Oregon Timberjacks. During that time, he got to know a few pro ball players—including Jason Giambi. Additionally, there is also a connection with the OSU Beavers, as Mike Parker had been working Northwest League baseball games for Eugene, and frequently visited Medford in the 1980s.
Again, an impressive résumé—but it isn’t all that BG has done during his tenure in Medford.
For more than 20 years, Gould also lent his statistical prowess to the State Basketball Tournament in Portland. Known at times as the AAA-4A-6A tournament, BG cut his teeth providing statistical support for Jerry Allen—the current broadcast legend for the Oregon Ducks. At the time, Allen was covering Medford athletics. It was a partnership that also gave him some connections to the Ducks.
BG liked to spend his time at college football games. In particular, he was on hand for the Oregon State games, where several Medford players played on Saturdays. His friendships extended beyond just Medford players, and also included longtime Beavers coach Mike Riley—whom would frequently have chats with Gould in his office.
Again, remarkable, but not the whole story.
In 1985, Gould worked for the Original USFL’s Portland Breakers as the visiting team equipment manager at Civic Stadium. It allowed him to develop friendships with players like former UCLA quarterback and University of Washington Coach Rick Neuheisel and NFL Hall of Famer Steve Young, who played for the league’s Los Angeles Express. He also got to rekindle his friendship with former Oregon State lineman Jeff Hart—who played at South Salem High school and was on the Express offensive front.
Once more—extraordinary—but not the entire story of BG Gould’s life.
In fact, all that he has done both with stats and fostering relationships has made BG a revered sports figure not only in the Rogue Valley, but statewide.
Gould was honored by the Oregon High School Baseball Coaches in 2006, inducted into the Medford Sports Hall of Fame in 2007, was named Southern Oregon Sports Advocate for 2017-18, and received a community service award from the Oregon Athletic Coaches Association in 2019.
Despite all the accolades, the low key, but affable Gould is matter-of-fact about the attention he has received over the years.
“It has been an honor to be associated with athletics in the state of Oregon,” he muses.
And associated with Oregon athletics, he has been. Sort of like fish are associated with the ocean. BG Gould has a quite the legacy.
For now, he is happy to just keep doing what he’s doing.
“I am playing it by ear,” BG admits. “If I can still walk and chew gum, I will be there.”
Yes, he will.