MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - Dr. Les Bakos, who is beginning his 27^thseason working with the Mountaineer football program, was inducted into the California University of Pennsylvania Hall of Fame last weekend in a black-tie affair on the Cal campus.
 
Bakos, chair of the West Virginia University Department of Dentistry at Ruby Memorial Hospital since 1993 and a dental doctor for all WVU athletic teams, was a standout pitcher for the Vulcans from 1965-68 who led California to an NAIA playoff appearance in 1968 – the sixth for legendary coach Mitch Bailey.
 
That season, Bakos compiled an outstanding 7-1 record that included a two-hit, shutout victory over West Virginia during the late Dale Ramsburg's first season coaching the Mountaineers.
 
Bakos' 7-1 record in '68 was the best mark posted by a Cal pitcher until 1989 and still ranks fourth all-time in Vulcan history. He won 13 career games and his 1.35 earned run average during his junior season in 1967 remains the fourth-best in school annals.
 
Originally from California, Pennsylvania, and a graduate of California High, Bakos earned his bachelor's degree in chemistry from Cal in 1968 and graduated from West Virginia University's School of Dentistry in 1972.
 
Upon completing his residency in 1977, Bakos has been a practicing member and professor in WVU's School of Dentistry for 44 years, specializing in oral and maxillofacial surgery.
 
Bakos, a 26-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force Reserves, received the Meritorious Achievement Award from Cal's Alumni Association in 1977.
 
He becomes just the 27^thCal baseball player to be inducted into the school's hall of fame and the first since former Seattle Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik was enshrined in 2011.
 
Joining Bakos in this year's Cal U. class were football standout Nate Forse, who began his athletic career at WVU, softball player Kristin Heslop and women's tennis player Helena Van Eysendeyk.
 
This was the 24^thclass inducted by California University of Pennsylvania.
 
Bakos is a resident of Morgantown and has three grown children – Jeffery, Ashley and Lauren, and five grandchildren.