Two highly-regarded El Paso sports officials are the first nominees for inductioninto the El Paso Athletic 
Resumes of both nominees were presented at a meeting of the Hall’s board of directors last Monday, Feb. 2. Nominations will continue to be taken at two other meetings of the board. They will be held Feb. 16 and March 2 in the Carroll Hall of First Christian Church, 901 Arizona Avenue, beginning at 5:15 p.m.
Want to nominate someone? It’s easy. The El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame meetings are open to the public and all you need to join and learn the ropes is show up at one of the meetings.
For more information you can go to elpasoathletichalloffame.com.
SHAWN LEHIGH has a resume that would make any whistle-blower proud.
Originally from the small town of Uhrischville, Ohio, he started officiating baseball while in the Army and stationed at Fort Bliss. Soon, he was serving as an umpire in local El Paso youth leagues and city games. He did so from 1979 to 2000.
During that time, he became a member of the Southwest Baseball Umpires Association and began displaying his talents at high school varsity games.
His ability didn’t go unnoticed. He began officiating at the Texas UIL State Tournament in Austin.
COLLEGES CAME calling. From 1981 to 1998 he was selected to umpire games in the Western Athletic Conference, Big West Conference and Western Junior College Athletic Conference. He even worked the Big West championship game from 1989 through 1995.
And yes, he made it to the professional level. He became the local El Paso umpire for the Texas League in 1988.
But wait, there’s more. Lehigh took up basketball officiating, too, and became just as proficient in that sport. He worked high school and college games locally and was the referee for numerous bi-district and regional high school state playoff basketball games.
And yes, he rose to the college level in that sport, too, and it culminated in his working NCAA Tournament (2010, 2014) and NIT (2009 through 2013) games.
THE OTHER worthy nominee for induction this year, Bob Geske, is one of the most revered officials in local sports circles.
After playing freshman basketball for Coach Don Haskins in 1964 and baseball for Andy Cohen from 1965 through 1967 at UTEP, he became director of intramurals and recreation at UTEP.
In addition, he officiated volleyball games at the high school, college and professional levels. He officiated the Texas vs. Illinois game in 1979 (Texas was No. 1 and Illinois No. 3 at the time). He also worked in the El Paso Sol/Juarez League.
BUT GESKE also officiated in other sports, including football and basketball. He officiated football in high school and junior college levels and worked a 4-A playoff game at Texas Stadium and a Division III semi-final game in 1987.
He also officiated basketball for 35 years at the high school level and many women’s basketball contests.
He is retired now, but still active. He is currently the official scorekeeper for the UTEP basketball team and has done that or worked as clock operator for the past 43 years.
THESE TWO outstanding gentlemen, Shawn Lehigh snd Bob Geske, are just a sample of the quality of the people in the El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame.
If you have someone to offer for induction, don’t hesitate. Get to work and show up at the meetings. You’ll be welcomed with open arms by members of the El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame board of directors. I know. I’m one of them.