by Karolyn Dang on 2020-09-04
Stan Sanchez, 64, was completely surprised when he was informed of his induction into the Colton Hall of Fame. Sanchez expressed how exciting it was to be included in the class with long-time friend, Rich Dauer, former football coach, Ken Hubbs, and former Little League coach, Max Lofy.
He also mentioned how gratifying it was to be included in this type of sports fraternity. Sanchez commented on how he was “grateful and humbled” by the opportunity.
Sanchez’s fondest memory was during his time with the Colton Little League All Star Team at the age of 12. He recalled the team's talent and the opportunity he had to play with some of the greatest players. Sanchez was also on the football team headed by Hall of Famer Ken Hubbs.
What Sanchez misses most in Colton are the people. “There’s always been this little connection to Colton,” he says. The culture, family and sports that they offer in the city are all things about Colton that resonate in him. Sanchez also confesses that he has always wanted to be a Colton Yellowjacket. Though Sanchez never made it to the major leagues, he admits, “I had a really good sports career as a player.”
Sanchez started out his baseball career when he tried out for Colton Little League with Lofy at the age of 8. With great anticipation in the program, Sanchez immediately fell in love with the sport. Other than Little League, Sanchez also played Pony League Baseball as well as Pop Warner Football and youth basketball. Sanchez continued his education in San Bernardino where he then continued to play all three sports at San Gorgonio High School. He was also enshrined in the high school’s Athletic Hall of Fame.
Following high school, Sanchez moved on to play baseball at Cal State University, Fullerton. Sanchez tried to continue his basketball and football career; however, it proved to be a little too much at the time. From there, he landed a job as the head baseball coach at San Bernardino High School, winning a championship in the first year. He also coached at Aquinas High School for some time. In 1982, Sanchez moved on to the junior college level at San Bernardino Valley College (SBVC). He won three divisional titles, three Foothill Athletic Conference Championships and three state regional crowns. During his time at SBVC, he played a significant role in developing the San Bernardino Spirit, a minor league affiliate of the Seattle Mariners organization. By developing San Bernardino Spirit, he was able to bring professional baseball bats to the Inland Empire. Eventually, he moved on to be an assistant coach at Cal State University, Northridge.
In 1993, Sanchez was offered a job at Colorado State University, Pueblo where he had the opportunity to rejuvenate the baseball team. Sanchez immediately accepted the position and has been the head baseball coach there for the past 21 years. In those years, he won a total of 9 championships. He also recently celebrated his 700th win with the Pack, making him the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference all-time winning coach. His success with the Thunder Wolves also earned him a place in the Greater Pueblo Sports Hall of Fame, in addition to his recent induction into the Colton Sports Hall of Fame.
At the time of the Colton Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony, Sanchez was at Colorado State University, Pueblo with over 1,000 players for the Annual “Pack the Park Day”. The Thunder Wolves Pack was also scheduled to play that same evening. Though he was unable to attend the ceremony, Sanchez was deeply grateful to have received such an honor.
Sanchez sent Colton High School alum and long-time friend, Ray Carver, along with his sister and other family members to attend the ceremony in his place.
Sanchez expressed how humbled and honored he was by Colton. “It’s a special place to be inducted into the Hall of Fame with incredible people.”
Sanchez just concluded his 21st season with the Thunder Wolves at the championship game of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Baseball Tournament. Although, the Pack lost to the Colorado Mesa University Mavericks, Sanchez notes that it’s been another wonderful year. The team is currently in Sacramento on a retreat.
Stan Sanchez has spent his whole life around baseball. His entire family has been sports fanatics throughout the years. “When you’re a coach, you devote all your energy to coaching. It’s been that way since we started our own family,” he stated. He even refers to his family as “a great team.”
Sanchez had the opportunity to coach his son Mike for four years, even winning a championship alongside him. Now, Mike coaches alongside his father and even coaches a special education team. Mike is also the basketball coach at East High School in Pueblo. Sanchez says that the family spends a lot of time together, supporting each other at each others’ games or watching games as a family. Sanchez’ other son works with a motor company while his daughter followed in the steps of their mother, who is now retired, and became a teacher.
The most rewarding aspect of coaching for Sanchez is watching his student athletes graduate and enter the world of work, becoming productive citizens and building their own families. Sanchez shares that many of his former students have become coaches themselves, and he believes that it’s the influence of when they played in college. “We have incredible alumni support,” Sanchez continued. “It’s amazing. With technology and Facebook, I still hear from players from high school, from the late 70s.” Sanchez’s main plan now is to try and stay healthy. He plans on staying in the game as long as he can. “I watch baseball 24/7,” he shares, “I enjoy what I’m doing.” Even in retirement, he wants to be in the game though he expresses he doesn’t know exactly what that would be. He hopes to be able to travel in the future and watch baseball all over the world.
Bill Smith, the Director of Community Services in the City of Colton, expressed, “He has a great history in Colton and he’s proven himself to be a great baseball coach, ongoing. [Sanchez] is very deserving of the induction.”
After 43 years of coaching, several awards, 9 championships, and 3 Hall of Fame inductions, Sanchez remains humble. “I’ve had some wonderful teams,” Sanchez stated. He hopes to teach his students discipline.
As a mentor, he hopes to give direction to these athletes to make an impact on what’s important like life after college. “Baseball teaches you incredible work ethic,” Sanchez shared. “It takes a lot of energy when you play. You need to be a hard worker to improve in baseball. It teaches you lifelong lessons.”