SPORTS FIGURE OF THE YEAR – Usually it’s a person. This year, it’s a little dog. The Chihuahua. There was much consternation and befuddlement when El Paso’s Triple A team officials announced the little mutt was going to be the team’s nickname. The selection was so unusual, so unique that it rattled people’s brains. Many complained. But the lovable little pup quickly won the hearts of El Pasoans, as well as those of others around the country. Items with his logo sold in bunches and now folks are strolling around with caps and shirts and other clothes showing his image happily, even proudly. In short, he has become a symbol of one of the greatest additions ever to the El Paso sports scene: A Triple A baseball team.
(Note: The above selection was made by El Paso Inc. The following selections were made with the help of Steve Kaplowitz of KROD, Ruben Ramirez of the El Paso Times, Beau Bagley of KTSM-TV, Wayne Thornton of the Parks and Recreation Department, sports media executive Bob Nitzburg and El Paso historian C.H. Hill).
College Male Coach of the Year – Sean Kugler, who, to the surprise of many folks, turned the UTEP football team from a loser to a winner. He won seven games and earned a bid to the Gildan New Mexico Bow.
College Female Coach of the Year – Keitha Adams, who coached UTEP to the finals of the NIT tournament last season, something many fans of the women’s team never thought would happen.
High School Male Coach of the Year – Scott Brooks, who took Canutillo High School to the semifinals of the state playoffs, the furthest any 11-man high school football team from El Paso Country had gone before.
High School Female Coach of the Year — Cynthia Hernandez, Burges High girls basketball coach who dominated District 1-4A with a sparkling 14-0 record.
College Male Athlete of the Year – Araron Jones, UTEP football back who helped the Miners to their sterling season, and Anthony Rotich, UTEP cross country runner who earned national accolades throughout the country (tie).
College Female Athlete of the Year – Kayla Thornton, UTEP basketball star, who led the Miners to the finals of the NIT last season.
High School Male Athlete of the Year — KeAndre Bates, Burges High triple jump State champ and football player.
High School Females Athlete of the Year — Adrienne Holguin and Daniela Flores of Hanks High School, both state wrestling champions.
HONORABLE MENTION – Other vote getters were UTEP cross country coach Paul Ereng, El Paso High swimmer Victoria Garcia, Andress High basketball coach James Forbes, Hanks High wrestling coach Tony Carter, Cathedral High basketball coach Tony Harper and swimming coach Jack White, Del Valle High quarterback Steven Montes, Eastwood High swimmer Leonardo Sanchez, Parkland High track star Anthony Dudley, Franklin High pole vaulter Paulo Benavidez, San Elizario cross country runner Michael Johnson, Cathedral High swimmer Roberto Pinedo, El Dorado High runner Olamide Olowe.
Note: The following selections were made by El Paso Inc
Sports Writer of the Year – Bill Knight of the El Paso Times, who ventured all the way to Massachusetts to bring El Paso coverage of Nolan Richardson’s induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. His vivid stories added much to the event.
Sports Photographer of the Year — Ruben Ramirez of the El Paso Times, who accompanied Knight to Massachusetts to cover Nolan Richardson’s induction into the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame. Their combined efforts resulted in a spectacular section in Times.
Sportscaster of the Year – Tim Hagerty, the voice of the El Paso Chihuahuas, who provided El Pasoans not only with play by play broadcasts of the team’s games but delighted folks with his deep knowledge of what was going on with other teams in the Pacific Coast League. What a great addition he is to El Paso’s sports scene.