I continue to marvel at what a grand event the El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame has become. I marvel even more at how many El Pasoans have stepped up for so many years to make it so.
The first induction banquet was held 58 years ago. John Phelan, a World War II hero and a KTSM sportscaster at the time, served as its first president and continued to do so for the first three years of the Hall’s existence.
Since then, there have been scores of El Pasoans in different walks of life that have served in that capacity, the great majority for one year. Exceptions, besides Phelan, are Ron Leiman in 2007-2008 and Bruce Reichman this year and last.
Reichman, as you probably noticed, is the extraordinarily successful track coach at Del Valle High School. He led his team to the finals of the State soccer tournament – again – this year.
THERE HAVE been many others who continue to contribute to the Hall’s success year after year. That includes members of the current board of directors. Kevin Lovell, general manager of KVIA-TV, has been a great addition. His influence and promotional talents have added much to the Hall’s continued success.
As usual, the inductees this year were outstanding. They were:
Frank Del Toro, one of the most accomplished baseball and softball players in the history of El Paso who played in tournaments around the world in both sports.
Natasha Lacy, one of UTEP’s greatest basketball players who is now on the roster of the professional Connecticut Sun.
James Munyala, one of UTEP’s greatest track runners.
Bobby Lesley, who coached Eastwood High School to the State basketball championship in 1976.
Jimmy Melendez, one of the most successful high school baseball coaches in the history of El Paso while at Bel Air.
Steve Kaplowitz, who at the age of 40 already ranks as one of El Paso’s greatest sports journalists.
Gary Crossland, a former star athlete at Austin High School who went on to become one of the best football and baseball officials in the Southwest.
Buryl Baty, whose so very promising football coaching career at Bowie High School was stopped shorts by a highway accident.
THE EL PASO Athletic Hall of Fame is the greatest of all the sports halls of fame in the city because it includes all sports and all venues. If elected, you’re in company with El Paso’a greatest athletic legends.
Bobby Lesley, in his acceptance speech this year, singled out Lee Trevino and Nolan Richardson. Trevino won many PGA tournaments, including six majors, while Richardson is the only college basketball coach in the entire country to win all three major tournaments: Junior College, the NIT and the NCAA.
Then there are others like Don Haskins, Andy Cohen, Ken Heineman, Bill Shoemaker, Margaret Osborne DuPont … well, the list goes on and on.
SO IT’S NO surprise that the Hall’s induction banquet is sold out each year. People love to honor their sports heroes.
And they hear some great stories from the inductees – too many to list in this space but many of them fascinating. For example:
James Munyala had folks in stitches this year. He’s from Kenya and he said that his mother didn’t want him to come to UTEP because she’d heard of all “the cowboys and their guns” in Texas. Munyala said he assured his mother that such things happened only on television.
When he got here he started running to stay in shape. One day he ran up Scenic Drive and on his way back he started hearing gunshots. Thinking his mother had been right, he started running a lot faster.
When he got to UTEP he learned the shots had come from the police academy where policemen were practicing. What a relief, he said.
Don’t miss the banquet next year. You’ll have a grand time.