Photos: From left: Brian Kanof, Ed Stansbury Jr., Jerry Pippins, Bob Geske, Paul Pearson, Ruben Dominguez Jr. and Mike Price being interviewed by Kevin Lovell.
In last week’s column I pointed out that El Paso has a lot of talented people, and I gave some great examples.
He will take over as president of the El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame this year, replacing Barnard Polk, who did such an outstanding job the past two years.
Is Mr. Ontiveros qualified? Oh, my goodness, is he ever.
HE GRADUATED from UTEP with a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism and a Master of Arts degree in public administration,, served three years in the United States Army, worked as a staff assistant to U. S. Congressman Richard C. White, was an employee relations specialist at Fort Bliss and was Supervisory Employee Relations and Labor Relations Specialist at U.S. Customs and Border Protection
He is also former board chairman of Boys and Girls Club of El Paso and now is vice-president of Boys and Girls Clubs of El Paso Alumni Association.
ON TOP OF ALL that, he has been one of the work-horses behind the scenes for the El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame the past 19 years.
He joined the El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame in 1997. Then, in 1999, he took over the task of handling the resumes for the Hall and, in 2009, he also took over the duties of coordinating the creation of the induction plaques and placing them at the Don Haskins Center. He’s been handling both chores ever since.
He was asked this year if he would mind being nominated for president as well. He says, “I said I would be honored. I look forward to next year since it will mark my 20th membership year. Little did I know that I would still be in this hallowed organization, but then I had a good mentor and example in Frank Porth, my neighbor who invited me to join the Hall in 1997.” Porth was a valuable member of the Hall until his passing in 1999.
THE EL PASO Athletic Hall of Fame will also have a new vice-president this year: El Paso Times chief photographer Ruben Ramirez. Danny Devine will continue as secretary, Gary Crossland as treasurer, Ron Leiman as parliamentarian and Wayne Thornton and Kevin Lovell as coordinators of student athlete recognition.
THIS YEAR’S induction banquet of the El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame in the Signature Room at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino last Wednesday was a splendid affair, as usual, and the inductees spoke eloquently about their experiences.
Mike Price thanked UTEP Athletic Director Bob Stull for lifting him up and hiring him when he was at the lowest point of his coaching career after being fired by University of Alabama.
Jerry Pippins said he turned to tennis after suffering injuries in football. He found great success as Coronado High School tennis coach.
Ruben Dominguez Jr. explained he never had coaching but turned out to be one of El Paso’s greatest long distance runners by reading books and watching television.
Paul Pearson, another long distance star, told of how he failed to make the track team in his freshman year in high school but through hard work was a national star 13 years later.
Ed Stansbury Jr., one of El Paso’s greatest all-around athletes, told how his father of the same name taught him different sports as he was growing up.
Bob Geske, one of El Paso most outstanding officials, told how late UTEP coach Ben Collins started him out in that direction.
Brian Kanof, who has taken photos all over the world, praised El Paso highly. He said he had offers to go to bigger venues but turned them down.
They all got a big hand from the sold-out crowd. So did the many incredibly gifted high school athletes who were introduced by Lovell and Thornton