You don’t join a group of impressive and inspirational athletes in Colton’s Sports Hall of Fame by being anything but an extraordinary advocate for the city.
During the 12 years of its existence, Colton’s Sports Hall of Fame, which is administered by the Colton Recreation and Parks Commission, has celebrated and honored 23 individuals and five teams/groups for their exemplary athletic accomplishments and influence they had on Colton.
Last year’s 2017 inductees included 1973-1983 Colton High School football coach Don Markham and the late Juan Caldera who in 1924 established a multi-sports complex in South Colton that included a baseball field, bull-ring, pool, boxing ring, rodeo/motorcycle arena and a dance hall.
The nomination period for 2018 inductees is now open and applications will be accepted no later than Oct. 1, 2018, to allow the recreation and parks commission to look over each nomination and make a selection based on who best meets and exceeds the criteria for eligibility. The nomination form, which can be found on the city's website, includes the entire list of criteria.
"One of the things that they [nominees] could do to stand out is probably any act of kindness or helping others in any way possible," Rachael Flores said, a recreation leader for the City of Colton. Flores added that nominees could "stand out by using what they do best, whatever their area of expertise is, to help others would be appreciated."
The application allows the nominator to describe why they feel the individual should be considered for induction and asks that the nominator include the accomplishments, awards and services of the nominee.
Any friend or family member of an athlete or coach that has left their mark on this city, whether it be by teaching and influencing a child’s life as a coach for a sports activity or an athlete that not only used their talents to excel in a sport but to boost Colton pride as well, are encouraged to nominate their sport’s hall of famer now.