by Ray Sanchez 01.19.14
The El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame, which had its beginning in 1955, has had many outstanding presidents. They’ve come from practically every profession, every sport, every business and all willing to give of their time and effort to honor El Paso’s athletic finest.
No one exemplifies the type of person that’s served as president more than this year’s president, Ernest Barnard Polk.
A gentlemanly, soft-spoken man, he exudes class. He graduated from AustinHigh School in 1966 as valedictorian then graduated from UTEP in 1977 with a degree in pre-law and sociology and made the dean’s list
He has participated in baseball, softball, volleyball and bowling and has always been involved in community affairs.
THIS WILL BE his second stint as president, having served as El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame president in 1995.
I don’t remember his ever having missed a meeting of the Hall since he joined it more than 20 years ago. Along the way, he has also served as vice-president, secretary, historian and parliamentarian.
So, yes, the El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame is in good hands again this year.
THE FIRST meeting of the board of directors this year was held last Monday and there was Mr. Polk full of enthusiasm again, telling us that the he hopes we will attend meetings, take advantage of our opportunity to vote and attend the banquet that honors the inductees.
And he told us to encourage other El Pasoans to join us. After all, the board of directors is open to the public.
He also announced a proposed change in the by-laws. Anyone can nominate a person for induction, but beginning this year the biographies of those nominated must be submitted at the time of nomination. And starting next year, photos of the nominees will be required at nomination time, too.
It’s a good move. The board of directors too often in the past had to scrounge around at the last moment to get the bios and the photos. They somehow always made it, but it was too often in panic mode. After all, in the short time between when the selections are made and the induction banquet is held, programs have to be put together and sent to the printer and plaques of the inductees and their awards have to be made. It’s no easy job.
AS ONE WHO helped start the El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame, let me add one thing. Don’t just ask a member of the board to nominate someone for you. If you think someone really deserves to be nominated, get up the biography and photo of that person yourself, attend meetings and present the person yourself.
I have a list a mile long, figuratively speaking, of persons other people have asked me to nominate. It would take me years to nominate them all. I’m sure the same is true of other board members. Don’t “let George do it.” Do it yourself if you really feel deeply about someone being inducted.
OTHER MEETINGS of the board will be held Feb. 3, 17 and March 3 and 17 at 5:15 p.m. in the Carroll Hall of First Christian Church, 901 Arizona Avenue. All of those dates are on Monday.
Voting will be held on March 17 so you should get your nomination in on one of the first three meetings named here.
Mr. Polk also announced that the induction banquet will be held this year on April 30 in the Signature Room at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino.
As usual, it’ll be a happy occasion. It has been for the past 59 years.