Annual Event Recognizes Local Sport Icons

In what attendants called "Colton's most important sports event of the year," prominent athletes and coaches where honored and remembered last Saturday, April 24th during the annual Colton Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at the Frank A. Gonzales Community Center. The event, of which the first was in 2006, has recognized contributions from the most dedicated athletes, coaches and sports legends of Colton's past and present. Past inductees include Ken Hubbs, late professional athlete who played for the Chicago Cubs from 1961 to 1963, and local youth sports icon Max Lofy, around whom as Colton's Recreation and Parks Commission Vicechair Tony Soto put it "all sports in Colton revolve." This year, extra seats had to be taken out for the friends, family, fans, and students of those enshrined in the Hall of Fame. The event recognized four inductee entries instead of the usual two. "It is so hard to pick among all the athlete talent in Colton," said Colton Mayor Sarah Zamora, who smiled, mentioning that it would be easier if there were 10 inductees each year. Bill Smith, director of Community Services welcomed the guests, and Summer Jorrin introduced the inductees, which were embraced with applause by all the guests. The first inductees announced were honored as a team; the Colton Mercury Senoritas Team of 1936-1941 were honored as the first all Latina softball team in Colton, which was made up of middle and high school aged young ladies, and traveled through Southern California to play against other softball teams. Colton Mercury Senoritas team members Ramona Aranda and Carmen "Carmie" Lujan were present to receive a recognition and unveil the plaque that will be held in the Gonzales Community Center's Hall of Fame. Mel Salazar said a few words about the team, of which his mother Carmie Lujan was a member. He also asked the guests if anybody knew any relatives of Linda and Luz Arredondo, (none of which were able to be contacted to be invited to the ceremony) so that they may receive their plaque. Stan Sanchez, who has been a baseball coach since 1971, was inducted by Max Lofy for his years of athletic involvement in Colton and the surrounding communities, as well as his more recent feats in Colorado. Growing up in Colton, he played in Little League and Pony Baseball. In high school, Sanchez played baseball at San Grogonio High School, where he was honored in their school Hall of Fame. He is now at Colorado State University, Pueblo, where he began a Baseball program with limited resources, and is celebrated for an incredible record of 700 wins. Thelbert Orville "Tom" Morrow was inducted for his years of coaching high school basketball from 1947 to 1971. His son and two daughters said a few words about their father, and accepted the plaque in his honor. As a man with many talents, Morrow pitched in the minor league for the Saint Louis Cardinals, and was proficient in golf and bowling as well. He also taught Spanish at Colton High School. Morrow passed away at the age of 82, in 1994. The last inductee to be recognized was Ruben Acevedo, a lifelong Colton Resident who devoted his time to youth sports as a coach and as an umpire since 1966. In 1976, his team fell one game short of advancing to the Little League Western Regional Championship in San Bernardino. Four years later, he established the Umpires Association and was appointed Umpire-in-Chief for the 21st District. He served as Umpire at the Western Regional Championship in 1983. "He is so humble, but all his friends agree that he deserves this recognition," shared Brenda Lopez, Acevedo's daughter. The Ceremony closed, and the guests were given a chance to talk to the honorees, as well as share memories with each other. Ramiro Saldana and Alex Salazar shared their memories of being in teams coached by Stan Sanchez and Tom Morrow. "We all stay close together, because every year, we meet at the baseball field. We played in the Little League with Stan and Ruben, and our kids play in the Little League, and hopefully my grandchildren will continue the tradition," shared Salazar.