by Ray Sanchez© 03.13.16
A two-time Super Bowl champ and 15 other outstanding sports figures have been nominated for 
induction into the El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame this year.
Nominations closed last Monday. Voting for induction by the board of directors will be held March 21.
This year’s induction banquet will be held Wednesday, May 4, at 6:15 p.m. at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino.
Without further ado, let me list this year’s nominees:
BILLY DAVIS, former Irvin High School quarterback who accepted a scholarship from University of Pittsburgh where he was converted to a wide receiver. He was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 1995 and was part of the Cowboys’ Super Bowl XXX winning team as a special team player. In 1999 he was with the Baltimore Ravens and was part of the Ravens’ XXXV Super Bowl champions.
BRIAN YOUNG, a former Andress Hgh School and UTEP football star who was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the fifth round in 2000. He played for the Rams from 2000 through 2003 and for the New Orleans Saints from 20004-2008.
SCOTT BROOKS, former Coronado High School football player who turned to coaching and found amazing success at nearby Canutillo High School. He won five district championships and in 2014 he did what no other high school football team in the El Paso area had ever done: Reach the semi-finals of the Texas state playoffs.
SHAWN LEHIGH, who started officiating baseball while in the service at Fort Bliss and quickly became one of the most sought-after umpires in both amateur and professional ranks. He worked high school games, college conference games and professional Texas League games.
RAY ADAUTO, former radio announcer who continues to thrill spectators at just about every sports event in El Paso with his full-throated, exciting voice. He’s done high school sports, college sports, professional sports. He’s currently the public address announcer for the El Paso Chihuahuas.
NATHAN POSS, assistant athletic director for football operations at UTEP who has done so much for the school. He has been called “the heart and soul” of the football staff and has been involved in charitable causes.
JENNIFER HAN, current international and world boxing featherweight women’s champion. She is the only El Paso boxer to hold a world boxing association title.
MANNY MARTINEZ JR., outstanding El Paso golfer and former head pro at Ascarate Golf Course. He still holds the Ascarate course record, a 61.
GABE HERNANDEZ, former boxer and longtime supporter of athletics who is finally being nominated at the age of 100. He was born March 8, 1916.
JORGE MUNOZ, a three-time former Texas Golden Gloves champion who went on to win
national and international recognition.
ERIC ALWAN, horse racing announcer/media relations official who has done so much for Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino through the years.
ERNIE BAUTISTA, who has earned national awards as a marathon runner and is still doing so in his 70s. He has competed in such events as the Boston and New York marathons.
- SCOTT STEIN, an El Paso dentist who has earned nationwide recognition as a body builder. He has competed in cities throughout the country and won many awards.
ANTHONY J. MORGAN, who coached 10 years at Parkland High School and won seven district basketball titles.
JOE OVERTON, former professional pitcher who became an outstanding baseball coach at Coronado High School. He played for the El Paso Sun Kings when they won the Texas League title in 1968.
ROBERT RAPANUT (posthumous), the late equipment manager at University of Texas at El Paso who often went out of his way to counsel and help athletes in different ways.