2008 Woodie Awards
Field of Dreams Becomes a Reality
The barbecue and campaign kickoff for the new LAVC Athletic Hall of Fame is a victory for the home team.
Maggie Ownbey
Issue date: 3/22/06 Section: Valley Life
- Page 1 of 2 next >
If you build it they will come.
Wearing caps, jerseys and jackets with Monarch colors and logos, coaches and athletes from the past and present began arriving at the Fireside room last Saturday to add their support to the campaign to build Valley College's new Athletic Hall of Fame program.
"We're here today to kickoff the Hall of Fame," said Valley alumnus Paul Sabolic, chair of the Hall of Fame Committee. "It took 55 years to get here."
The hall of fame began as a dream of Valley Athletic Director Chuck Ferrero, who saw a way to pay tribute to former players and inspire the athletes of today.
"In 55 years we've had some phenomenal people come into this school; incredible coaches and athletes," said Ferrero to the standing-room-only crowd that included members of the planning committee, faculty and Valley President Dr. Tyree Wieder.
Ferrero's dream took a step closer to becoming a reality with the recent $2,000 donation from the Associated Student Union for start-up funds.
Other speakers included women's softball coach Frankie Garcia, current Valley softball player Leilani Madrigal and physical education instructor Diedra Stark who introduced two of her former volleyball players, Annie O'Rourke and Maya Wolfson.
Wolfson stepped to the podium and recalled the fun of being part of the championship team that won the state title two years in a row in the 1970s.
"It's hard to believe it's 30 years ago," said Stark, "[it] feels like it was a couple days ago."
Former athletes from Valley have gone to win Olympic gold medals and Super Bowl championships.
"I feel very fortunate to be part of that history," said Jim Fenwick, former Valley football coach who took his teams to five bowl games in six years. "I'll do anything I can to help make this Hall of Fame a success, it's a long time coming."
Fenwick thanked his friends and family in attendance for the support they gave him that helped him win a miraculous victory over his battle with leukemia.
Wearing caps, jerseys and jackets with Monarch colors and logos, coaches and athletes from the past and present began arriving at the Fireside room last Saturday to add their support to the campaign to build Valley College's new Athletic Hall of Fame program.
"We're here today to kickoff the Hall of Fame," said Valley alumnus Paul Sabolic, chair of the Hall of Fame Committee. "It took 55 years to get here."
The hall of fame began as a dream of Valley Athletic Director Chuck Ferrero, who saw a way to pay tribute to former players and inspire the athletes of today.
"In 55 years we've had some phenomenal people come into this school; incredible coaches and athletes," said Ferrero to the standing-room-only crowd that included members of the planning committee, faculty and Valley President Dr. Tyree Wieder.
Ferrero's dream took a step closer to becoming a reality with the recent $2,000 donation from the Associated Student Union for start-up funds.
Other speakers included women's softball coach Frankie Garcia, current Valley softball player Leilani Madrigal and physical education instructor Diedra Stark who introduced two of her former volleyball players, Annie O'Rourke and Maya Wolfson.
Wolfson stepped to the podium and recalled the fun of being part of the championship team that won the state title two years in a row in the 1970s.
"It's hard to believe it's 30 years ago," said Stark, "[it] feels like it was a couple days ago."
Former athletes from Valley have gone to win Olympic gold medals and Super Bowl championships.
"I feel very fortunate to be part of that history," said Jim Fenwick, former Valley football coach who took his teams to five bowl games in six years. "I'll do anything I can to help make this Hall of Fame a success, it's a long time coming."
Fenwick thanked his friends and family in attendance for the support they gave him that helped him win a miraculous victory over his battle with leukemia.
