Congratulations are in order to:

Julian Illingworth — The Lincoln High and Yale grad, now 28 and living in New York City, continues to be the best squash player in the United States (eight national titles). He won the Nash Cup in London on Sunday, and could move up from his No. 31 world ranking.

Harry Glickman — The Trail Blazers’ founder will be honored at 6:30 tonight at the fourth annual History Makers of Oregon Dinner at the Oregon Historical Society. Glickman, Gerry Frank, Kathryn Harrison and Norma Paulus are being recognized for their impact and service to Oregon.

Elsewhere

Last week, we brought you the amazing story of Blazers broadcaster Brian Wheeler, who was adopted, having just located his birth parents and spoken to them in a telephone call to their home in Rockford, Ill.

Wheeler has talked again with his birth mom and dad, Barbara and Hugh, and they have told their daughter (Brian’s sister), Bridget, that she has a big brother. Wheeler is hoping to travel to Illinois before the Blazers’ first preseason game (Oct. 10) to meet these newfound family members.

Portlanders will remember the late Johnny Pesky, one of their own, at a gathering from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday in his old stomping grounds in Northwest Portland. Pesky, a Boston Red Sox legend, died at age 92 on Aug. 13.

His brother Vince, and hundreds of others — the public is invited — will celebrate his life with a baseball-themed party ($10 donation) at St. Patrick’s Church in Northwest Portland.

The event comes one week after the Red Sox held a ceremony at Fenway Park. About 2,000 people attended, including the entire 2012 team, key field staff and management, and Red Sox greats such as Roger Clemens, Pedro Martinez, Jim Rice, Jason Varitek, Tim Wakefield, Luis Tiant and many more. Former Boston catcher Carlton Fisk, one of numerous speakers, called Pesky “the face of the organization.” Players and guests laid roses on a large No. 6 on the infield at shortstop, where Pesky generally played, then signed “Pesky Pole” in right field.

A few players with local ties will be in the WNBA playoffs — which start today, if you hadn’t noticed. Atlanta Dream forward Cathrine Kraayeveld is a former Oregon Duck. New York Liberty forward-center Kara Braxton played at Westview High. Former Portland Fire DeMya Walker, New York center, and Tully Bevilaqua, San Antonio Silver Stars guard, were members of the Portland Fire, which folded 10 years ago.

On campus

The second-ranked Oregon Ducks will play two games at home this weekend. In volleyball, not football.

The Oregon women’s volleyball team is 11-0 overall and ranked No. 2 in the nation behind Penn State (13-1). The Ducks are coming off 3-0 victories over Oregon State and at then-No. 2 USC.

The Ducks play Utah (9-6) at 8 tonight and Colorado (11-3) at 7 p.m. Saturday, both at Matthew Knight Arena.

Oregon’s Elizabeth Brenner, a sophomore from Jesuit High, was second on the team with 16 kills against USC, and added nine digs and a team-best two blocks.

Penn State won the NCAA title from 2007-10.

U of O teams in the national rankings: Football, No. 2; Volleyball, No. 2; Women’s cross-country, No. 3; Men’s cross-country, No. 23. The women’s soccer team is 5-3-2 and unranked.

Players of the week (league honoring them in parentheses): Volleyball — Megan Ellis, Portland State (co-Big Sky Conference); Cross-country — Emily Thomas, Lewis & Clark (Northwest Conference); Golf — Sunny Powers, Concordia (Cascade Collegiate Conference); Kristen Hennd, PSU (Big Sky).

Happy birthday

Sept. 27, 1965 — Steve Kerr (age 47)

Sept. 28, 1976 — Bonzi Wells (age 36)

Sept. 28, 1943 - Lou Piniella (age 69)

This day in Oregon sports history

Sept. 28, 1951 - Los Angeles Rams quarterback Norm Van Brocklin, three years removed from the University of Oregon, passes for NFL-record 554 yards. He was 27 of 41 with five touchdown passes as the Rams beat the New York Titans 54-14.

Oct. 2, 1999 — The Blazers acquire Scottie Pippen in a six-for-one trade with Houston. Portland gives up Stacey Augmon, Kelvin Cato, Ed Gray, Carlos Rogers, Brian Shaw and Walt Williams. San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich says the Blazers “could be a monster.” Says Blazer president Bob Whitsitt: “This is about as good as we could have ever dreamed for.” Says Pippen: “I’ve never been on a team, other than the Dream Team or the All-Star team, where (every) player demands so much attention. It’s pretty scary. I feel this team is far more talented than the (Los Angeles) Lakers and far ahead of where the Lakers are trying to get to. ... Talent-wise, this team is probably far more talented than any team that’s been assembled in the league ... as far (back) as I can remember.”

Sept. 27, 2002 — The Grant Generals play their first home football game — home being Grant Park — in about 50 years. Jefferson wins 30-21. Grant High boosters talk of adding artificial turf and possibly even lights and bleachers. But neighborhood opposition emerges, and, 10 years later, the fields remain basically the same.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Twitter@sbrandonsports