Ray Sanchez March 11, 2018
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When I think of Manny Ontiveros I think of three things: A gentleman, competent and always willing to take on difficult tasks.
He played tennis for Bowie High School and of course, he became the captain of the team. He went to community college and UTEP and wound up with a Masters Degree from UTEP. As a student at UTEP he participated in the Intramural Department and, of course, was named Most Valuable Official.
He became a sports writer for the El Paso Herald-Post and did outstanding work before joining the Army in 1971 where, of course he wound up with two medals, one for outstanding service and the other for good conduct.
He played in and helped manage the Boys and Girls Clubs of El Paso and raised more than $100,000 for college scholarships.
He served as staff assistant to U.S. Congressman Richard C. White and retired in February of 2009 with 34 years of federal government service.
BUT ALL THAT pales compared to what he has done for the El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame.
He has been a member of the El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame for 22 years, serving as president the last two. Before that he served, and is still serving, as director of archives for the El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame and we all know what a tough job that is. He has handled resumes and plaques and has become the source of information on how the Hall operates.
SO YES, I was happy to see him among the nominees for induction into the El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame this year at a meeting of the board of directors last Monday. In fact, I nominated him myself.
Eighteen persons in all were nominated for induction last Monday, bringing the total of nominees to 26. There were eight athletes nominated plus nine in the coaches/administration category, four in the officials category, three in the posthumous category and two in the media/supporter of athletics category.
Here are all of the nominees by category:
ATHLETES: Bobby Stives (bowler), Ernie Bautista (basketball), Jorge Munoz (boxer), Will Licon (swimmer), Robert Rodriguez (football), Joe Overton (baseball and football), Jennifer Delgadillo (golf) and Brandon Wolfram (basketball).
COACHES/ADMINISTRATORS: Mike Myrick, D. Dwayne Aboud, Marc Bombard, Rennie Rebe, Hampton Hurt, Tony Grijalva, Nate Poss, Tony Robles, Sr., Quincy “Dow” Farley.
OFFICIAS – Bill Scott, Gilbert De La Rosa, Jr., Bernie Del Hierro, Robert Hemphill Jr.
MEDIA/ SUPORTER – Duke Keith, Manny Ontiveros.
POSTHUMOUS – Gory Guerrero, Manny Aguilar, Eugene A. Des Boine.
THE BOARD OF directors will vote for induction on March 19 at El Paso Community College on March 19. There will be three athletes, two coaches/administrators and one each in the other categories chosen.
The induction banquet will be held Wednesday, May 2, at 6 p.m, at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino. A press conference to introduce the inductees will be held the day before at a site to be determined.
As one who helped start the El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame way back in 1955, it warms my heart to have seen it grow through the years. El Pasoans love their athletes and they love even more honoring them
Veteran sports journalist, historian and author Ray Sanchez welcomes suggestions for his column. Contact him at (915) 584-0626, by email at rayf358@yahoo.com or online at raysanchezbooks.com.S