Year Inducted: 1984
Nominated By: Martin Gonzales
Sports Competed In: N/A
Athlete, Coach or Contributor: Athlete, Coach, Administrator
High School:
Attended Pueblo Central H.S., graduating in 1952.
Achievements:
High School:
● Played quarterback for the Wildcats football team, earning All-Conference and Honorable Mention All-State in 1951.
● Also a three-time All-Conference (1949-51) as a member of the wrestling squad.
● Placed fourth in his junior year at the state tournament at 112 lbs., and third the following year (senior season) at 120 lbs.
College:
Went to Pueblo Junior College (PJC) in 1953...Transferred to the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) in Greeley, CO, graduating in 1956. Worked on his post-graduate degrees at: Adams State College, Alamosa, CO, Graduated in 1970 with an M.A. degree and the University of Wyoming, Superintendent Certification (1977) .
Achievements:
College:
● All-Conference perfomer as a halfback and played on the baseball team at second base at PJC.
● Successful wrestler for the Bears, winning the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference championship at 123 lbs. his junior season (1955).
Coaching Career:
● Began coaching career at his Alma Mater (Pueblo Central H.S.) where served as an assistant on the football team.
● Hlped lead the Wildcats to the 3A State Championship twice (1961, 1965).
● Moved from the sidelines to the wrestling mats for 10 seasons (1959-69).
● Led the Wildcats to three District Wrestling Championships (1960, 1962 and 1969) and three South Central League Wrestling Championships (1960, 1964 and 1966).
● Career duel record at the 3A level of 85-25-2.
● Won the Pueblo East Wrestling Tournament, twice (1966 and 1968) and runner-up in 1960 and 1964.
● Coached state individual champions: Cliff Frazier and Greg Smith.
● Also was an assistant coach on the track team for 10 years (1959-69).
Achievements:
Administrative:
● Developed soccer programs for high school boys and girls, 1986.
● Developed softball program for high school girls, 1989.
● Developed competitive athletic programs for middle school boys and girls, 1989.
● Developed financial guidelines that moved the athletic department from a $40,000 deficit to assets of $140,000.
● Added athletic trainers to each high school staff.
● Participated in the planning and implementation of the upgrading of all high school outdoor athletic facilities.
● Developed the first mandatory coaching staff development program for non-certificated coaches.
Honors:
● Selected one of the top ten Hispanic individuals in the State of Colorado by the League of United Latin American Citizens in 1978.
● Outstanding Teacher Recognition by Silver State Lodge No. 95 AF&AM in 1981.
● Recognized by the Colorado Athletic Directors Association for outstanding service in 1984.
● Inducted into the Mexican American Sports Hall of Fame in 1985.
● Selected the Outstanding Athletic Director for the State of Colorado in 1991.
● Inducted into the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) Hall of Fame in 1995.
● Inducted into the CHSAA Hall of Fame, 1994.
● Inducted into the Pueblo Softball Hall of Fame 2010.
Professional Affiliations:
● Member of Pueblo Central High School Foundation.
● Member of Southern Colorado Appeals Committee, C.H.S.A.A.
● President of Hearthstone Homeowners Association.
● Past President, Greater Pueblo Sports Association.
● Past President, Bessemer Elementary P.T.A.
● Past President, Community Board of Directors, United Bank.
● Past President, Pueblo Softball Association.
Past Director of Pueblo Softball Programs (1958-75)
● Developed the slow-pitch program for the City of Pueblo in 1963 as an alternative program for older softball players.
● Helped organize and develop the Independent League, Women's Fast and Slow Pitch Association and Men's Slow Pitch Association.
Past District Commissioner of International Softball Congress (ISC), 1960-75
● Directed three International Softball Association State Tournaments.
● Was invited to attend the ISC World Softball Tournament in 1974 by ISC Commissioner Carol Forbes to prepare Pueblo as a future site for the World Softball Tournament.
Past Member of the following board of directors/committees:
● U.S.C. Alumni Association.
● Y.M.C.A.
● Colorado Legal Education Program Advisory Board.
● State Football Committee.
● State Basketball Committee.
● Boy’s Club.
● S.C.S.C. Faculty Athletic Committee.
● Pueblo Youth Naturally.
● Southern Colorado Sports, Inc.
Occupation:
Executive Director of Student Activities, School District No. 60 (Retired).
Personal:
Lived in Pueblo with his wife, Clara...Passed away on Aug. 29, 2010.
