Gene Semko, El Paso’s contribution to big time college football officiating, and four other worthy sports figures are the latest nominees for induction into the El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame.
Semko, a Burges High School graduate who also attended UTEP and University of Texas at Austin, has officiated some of the biggest college football games in the country, including the 2008 BCS championship games between Ohio State and LSU, the 2012 BCS championship game between LSU and Alabama and this year’s Rose Bowl game between Stanford and Michigan State.
That he hasn’t been inducted into the Hall before seems rather amazing.
J.P. HAYES, winner of two PGA Tour championships, was another nominee at last Monday’s meeting of the El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame board of directors.
Unlike several other golfers who came to El Paso and won on the PGA Tour, Hayes has made El Paso his permanent home,
He is known internationally for one of the greatest acts of sportsmanship in the history of professional golf. In 2008, he reported himself for using an unapproved ball although no one had noticed. He knew it would result in a two stroke penalty. His honesty cost him a chance to play that season as a regular PGA Tour member.
He is reportedly thinking of returning to professional golf.
OTHER NOMINEES so far this year include former sports sponsor Bob Azar in the administration category, Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino publicity director and race caller Eric Alwan in the media category and former UTEP women’s basketball star Gloria Estrada.
There will be two more meetings of the El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame where nominations for induction from the public will be accepted. Those meetings will be held Feb. 17 and March 3 at 5:15 p.m. in the Carroll Hall of First Christian Church, 901 Arizona Avenue.
To nominate you must present a resume and make an oral presentation.
Voting will be held on March 17. The induction banquet will be held April 30 in the Signature Room at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino.
TRIVIA Question: In what sport is the word “moguls” used and what are they? Answer at end.
DON HASKINS used to say that defense wins games. Perfect example: Seattle 43, Denver 8 in Super Bowl XLVIII last Sunday. The Seahawks’ defenders simply overwhelmed their foes.
However, I was surprised Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson didn’t get more credit. He threaded needles with his passes to hit receivers, especially on crucial third downs, time and again. I would have voted him Most Valuable Player.
WHEN I READ the headline that stated that Gerald Rubin was leaving Helen of Troy my heart sank. I thought he’d be leaving El Paso. Then I read the story and found that he’ll be staying here and I smiled.
He’s done so much for El Paso and UTEP he’s one of our treasures.
Another person I’m glad stayed in El Paso is former UTEP football coach Mike Price. He’s so becoming I’ve always referred to him as everyone’s favorite uncle. I get a big kick out of seeing him at UTEP sporting events cheering on the Miners.
NICE COMMENTS about my book “The Good, the Bad and the Funny of El Paso Sports History” keep coming in. One of the latest was a little special because it came from one of my golfing buddies, Matt Sloan. It was only two short sentences but they went to the heart of the matter. He wrote:
“I have read your book and loved it. I am overwhelmed thinking of the amount of research you had to do.”
ANSWER to trivia question: In skiing. “moguls” are large snow bumps.