Melde To Be Inducted Into Colorado Springs Sports Hall of Fame

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COLORADO SPRINGS, Co. -- The 10th Anniversary Colorado Springs Sports Hall of Fame Banquet and Induction Ceremony on Tuesday, November 10, will celebrate the Class of 2009, which includes 1998 Duke women's soccer graduate Andi Melde, and take an inspiring look at the city's storied sports history.

There is no other evening in Colorado quite as unique and exhilarating as the annual celebration of the deep and special legacy of athletic achievement in the city where Olympic Dreams have been launched, and often realized.

The 10th Anniversary Class of 2009 features individuals and a world famous skating club known for success at the pinnacle of domestic and international sport.

Philadelphia Phillies' manager Charlie Manuel wears a World Series championship ring, but he also led the 1992 Colorado Springs Sky Sox to the Pacific Coast League title. Doug Palazzari is arguably one of the greatest hockey players ever to don the Black and Gold of the CC Tigers. Jim Hartman is right out of the Clair Bee books about Chip Hilton and Coach Henry Rockwell when it comes to producing great prep football teams. The Broadmoor Skating Club has a reputation for success unmatched around the world. CU Track and Field All-American Jim Miller was one of the nation's greatest hurdlers. And the state has never produced a female soccer player quite like Andi Melde.

The Colorado Springs World Arena will host the gala evening for the tenth time, with activities starting at 6:00 p.m. with a reception and blue-chip sports silent auction. The dinner and program will begin at 7:00.

The Sports Hall of Fame is presented for the Colorado Springs Sports Corporation by The Gazette and American National Bank.

Reservations for tables or seats can be made by calling Lindsey Lawrence at the Sports Corp (719) 634-7333, ext. 1000 or by e-mail at Lindsey@thesportscorp.org Prices- $2500.00 for a VIP table of ten seats, $1000.00 for a patron table; $250.00 for a VIP seat, $100.00 for a patron seat; $50.00 youth ticket. VIP seating includes priority seating location, complimentary wine and VIP pre-event reception with the inductees and award winners in the Penrose Club.

In addition to the inductions, the evening will include the presentation of the Sports Corp's special awards- The Thayer Tutt Sportsman Award to Jeff Smith, and the F. Don Miller Award to Paul Ransom.

Colorado Springs Sports Hall Of Fame Class of 2009

Jim Hartman

Jim Hartman is one of the most revered high school football coaches in Colorado history, an iconic figure whose sideline career spanned parts of five decades and produced a final tally of 211-101-4 and three state championships. It began for the '51 Colorado Springs High (now Palmer High) and '55 Colorado A&M (now CSU) graduate when he landed a gymnastics coaching and teaching job at Colorado Springs High School, fresh out of the U.S. Air Force and serving as a pilot in the Korean conflict. That stint lasted just a year when he moved on to Wasson High and became a football assistant coach, head track coach, and an assistant in gymnastics, wrestling and cross country. When he left to become the head football coach in 1965 at Mitchell High, it began a storied 18-year run at the school that produced three state football championships, the intense recruiting attention by scores of NCAA Division I football coaches, and All-Americans Terry Miller (Oklahoma State), Cullen Bryant (Colorado) and Jeff Sapp (Navy), among many standouts. He moved to Widefield High in 1985, winning four league titles and grabbing four state playoff berths, then finished his stellar service at Doherty High as head coach for four seasons, with a pair of playoff berths. He was named the state's prep football coach of the year four times and to the Colorado High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1997.

Charlie Manuel

Charles Fuqua Manuel took the Philadelphia Phillies to the National league pennant and World Series Championship last season, the pinnacle of a 46-year baseball career that began when he signed with the Minnesota twins in 1963 as an outfielder right out of high school in Buena Vista, Virginia, for $20,000. He played for the Twins, Dodgers and in Japan for the next 18 years before turning to coaching. He managed in the minors at stops like Wisconsin Rapids, Orlando and Toledo and was the skipper for the Indians (2000-2002) before landing the job with the Phillies in 2005. But for four seasons, 1990-1992, he was the loveable skipper of the Colorado Springs Sky Sox, guiding the '92 Cleveland Indians farm club to the Pacific Coast League Championship with a three-game sweep of the Vancouver Canadians and the moniker of “Charlie Ball,” featuring a lineup that featured notables like first baseman Jim Thome, outfielders Wayne Kirby, Alan Cockrell and Reggie Jefferson, and hurlers Jeff Shaw, Dennis Boucher, Rod Nichols, Jeff Mutis and Mike Christopher. The durable skipper has survived a heart attack, quadruple bypass surgery and cancer, and is known as one of the best managers in Baseball today.

Jim Miller

Jim Miller is one of the greatest track and field athletes in state history, but had to work his way through the University of Colorado by preparing salads in the kitchen of a sorority house in Boulder. The 1959 Colorado Springs High (now Palmer High) school grad, who won seven individual state titles in four separate events, blazed his way to a superb track and field career for the Buffs after gaining a football scholarship to begin with. He was the Big Eight Conference Champion over his four-year stint at CU in the 60-yard low hurdles, 60-yard high hurdles, 330-yard Intermediate hurdles, 120-yard high hurdles and part of the league champion short relay squad. His list of accomplishments includes Outstanding Athlete at the Kansas relays, Outstanding Athlete at the Big Eight Outdoor Championships and NCAA All-American laurels. In 1963, he won the Big Eight 330-yard intermediate hurdles title with a blazing clocking of 36.2 seconds that was an NCAA and American record at the time. After graduation from CU, he earned a Law degree from Howard University in Washington and went on to become a trial lawyer and an administrative judge for the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission before retiring last year.

Andrea Melde Hooks

Andi Melde may be the best soccer athlete ever to play in Colorado. The 1994 Air Academy High graduate was a two-time Parade All-American High School selection and had her jersey retired by the school after leading the Kadets to the 1993 Class 5A title, scoring 128 career goals and 61 assists, and winning All-State honors in each of her four varsity seasons. Her Air Academy teams went 17-1-1, 18-2-1, 17-3-0, and 17-1-1. She was tabbed as the state's Sportswoman of the Year in soccer three times, and named to the club's Hall of Fame. Recruited by the collegiate soccer world, she chose the powerful program at Duke, where she became a four-year starter for the Blue Devils, an All-American, the ACC Player of the Year in 1997, set numerous school records, and was a Top Ten finalist for the NCAA Women's Player of the Year Award. Her Duke career ended with 24 goals, 42 assists and 90 points as well as a B.A. Degree in Economics in 1998. She is now living in Chicago with husband Malcolm Hooks, and is a Euro Dollar options broker for MF Global, Inc., on the floor of the Chicago Board of Trade.

The Broadmoor Skating Club

Born in 1938 with the opening of the cherished and never forgotten Broadmoor World Arena, the iconic Broadmoor Skating Club is the world's most famous figure skating club, one that spans seven decades of excellence at every level of the sport. It has produced Olympic Champions Hayes Alan and David Jenkins, Peggy Fleming and Colleen O'Connor and Jim Millns, as well as silver medalists Karol and Peter Kennedy and bronze medal winners James Grogan and the Jenkins brothers, plus coaching legend Carlo Fassi. The venerable arena hosted the 1957, 1959, 1965, 1969 and 1975 World Championships, stamping Colorado Springs forever as one of the sport's most famous locales. The Club has sent scores of skaters to the Olympic Games as well as its champions, like Tina Noyes, Jill Trenary, Caryn Kadavy, Tim Wood and Tim Brown, and developing current stars Rachael Flatt, Jeremy Abbott, Brandon Mroz and Keauna McLaughlin-Rockne Brubaker. It has produced over 200 national champions in its history, a mark that no other club will ever threaten.

Doug Palazzari

Ice hockey oldtimers in Colorado Springs say, even today, that Doug Palazzari is the greatest Tiger ever to don the Colorado College jersey for a program that is one of the nation's best. A native of the Minnesota Iron Range hockey hotbed, Eveleth, Palazzari grew up in a hockey-rich family. His dad, Aldo, played for the New York Rangers and Boston Bruins as a youth and taught his son the game. At Colorado College from 1970-74, the short, but powerful athlete was one of the most feared scorers in the nation, blistering the nets for 95 goals, 228 points and 133 assists. He was a two-time All-American for the Tigers, playing on teams that were not the current powerhouses in the WCHA. He signed with the St. Louis Blues after graduation from CC, playing in 108 NHL games and scoring 18 goals over his NHL stints. His greatest impact came while playing for the Salt Lake City Golden Eagles of the Central Hockey league, the top farm club of the Blues, between 1977-1982, where he was twice named the league's MVP and named as the CHL's all-time greatest player in 1997. The Tiger great served as an assistant coach at his alma mater for six seasons (1985-91) and was named to the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame and the Colorado College Athletics Hall of Fame in 2000. USA Hockey named him as the organization's executive director in 1999, and he served the National Governing Body in that capacity until 2005.

Paul Ransom, The F. Don Miller Award

Paul Ransom was a driving force in the creation of Pikes Peak Junior Golf, which has opened the doors to the sport for thousands of kids to play and move on to compete at every level. He was the Pro at the Patty Jewett Golf Club for 23 years (1977-2000) and at Valley Hi CC from 1963-1977). He served as the President of Pikes Park Junior Golf from 1968-1989 after teaming up with Dow Finsterwald and Lars Larsen to establish the organization, which has produced scholarships and opportunities for young golfers to enjoy the sport at nearly all of the city's superb courses.

The award is named after the late Executive Director of the United States Olympic Committee who helped relocate the USOC to Colorado Springs in 1978 after a distinguished military career as a decorated World War II combat officer in Europe and as a boxing official and athlete at the University of Wisconsin. Col. Miller retired from the USOC in 1985 and became the first President of the United States Olympic Foundation.

It is presented annually by the Sports Corp to an individual who best reflects the commitment exemplified by Miller in providing a lasting contribution to the local sports community.

1996- Tom Falgien
1997- Joe Gentry
1998- Dr. Chuck Lacy
1999- Mary Polaski
2000- Carolyn Kruse
2001- Jim Hartman
2002- Shirley Snyder
2003- Sandi McConnell
2004- Ray Lutz
2005- Horst Richardson
2006- Greg Stinson
2007- George Rykovich
2008- Joe Sisneros

Jeff Smith, The Thayer Tutt Sportsman Award

Jeff Smith, Chairman of the Board of Classic Homes, has been practicing generosity in the Pikes Peak Region and the city for more than two decades. Since 1989, Classic has given more than $3,500,000 to charities in the region, as well as millions more in land donations. Smith's organization, driven by his commitment to giving back locally, has supported large and small individuals and organizations, including youth sports and sports camp scholarships. Classic has been at the forefront of supporting non-profits in the area and remains committed to these efforts.

The award is presented annually by the Colorado Springs Sports Corporation to an individual in recognition of exceptional philanthropic and community sports support, as well as on the national sports stage.

2003- Bill Tutt
2004- Gary Loo
2005- Fred Whitacre
2006- Carolyn Kruse
2007- Hal Littrell
2008- Peter Susemihl

The Colorado Springs Sports Hall of Fame, 2000-2008

Class of 2000: Cullen Bryant (Mitchell High, CU All-America, L.A. Rams football), Peggy Fleming (Olympic Figure Skating Champion, 1968), Gib Funk (prep coaching legend) Rick“Goose” Gossage (legendary Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 2008 relief pitcher with 310 saves), William J. Hybl (USOC President Emeritus), Ben Martin (AFA Football Coach for 20 seasons), William Thayer Tutt (City's Sports Icon), Bobby Unser (3-time Indy 500 winner and 13-time Pikes Peak Hill Climb winner), 1950 Colorado College Ice Hockey Team (NCAA Champions)

Class of 2001: Judy Bell (Golf, Curtis Cup Teams, 38 USGA Tourneys), Earl “Dutch”Clark (1929 Colorado College football All-American, member of Pro Football Hall of Fame), Bill “Red” Hay (CC ice hockey All-American twice, Chicago Blackhawks, 1959-67, Stanley Cup Championship, 1961), Jeff Sapp (Mitchell High football, state wrestling champion, Navy football All-American, 1976), Jill Trenary (figure skating, 1990 World Champion, 1988 Olympics, 4th, Broadmoor Skating Club), 1958 Air Force Academy Football Team (9-0-2, Cotton Bowl, 0-0 tie with TCU)

Class of 2002: Alonzo Babers (Track & Field, 1984 Olympic 400-meters gold medal, 4x400-meter relay gold medal, Air Force Academy football and track star), Carlo Fassi (skating coach, Broadmoor Skating Club, coached Peggy Fleming, Dorothy Hamill, Jill Trenary and Todd Eldredge), Flo Hyman (Volleyball, trained at the Olympic Training Center and won a silver medal at the 1984 Olympic Games), Scott Johnson (gymnastics, Wasson High, All-American at Nebraska, gold medal at the 1984 Olympic Games), Col. F.Don Miller (USOC Executive Director, 1969-85), Baaron Pittenger (Former USOC Executive Director and National Sports Festival architect), 1980 U.S. Olympic Ice Hockey Team (selected in Colorado Springs, historic gold medal in Lake Placid, including the “Miracle on Ice” semifinal win over the USSR)

Class of 2003: Alison Dunlap (Cycling, CC graduate, trained in Colorado Springs, Pan Am Games gold medalist, 1996 and 2000 Olympian, 2001 World Mountain Bike Champion), Dow Finsterwald (golf, 12 PGA Tour event titles, 1958 PGA Champion, Broadmoor Director of Golf for 28 years), Ernie Jennings (AFA 1970 football All-American receiver, Heisman Trophy finalist), Harry Hoth (Colorado Springs broadcasting legend and former Mayor), Ralph Routon (father of the Colorado Springs Hall of Fame, Gazette sports editor for 24 years and inspiring sports columnist, led the effort that brought AAA baseball back to the city in 1988), 1948 Colorado Springs High football team (state champions, 11-0)

Class of 2004: Chad Hennings (AFA football All-American and Outland Trophy winner who played nine seasons for the Dallas Cowboys and won three Super Bowl rings), David & Hayes Alan Jenkins (first brother combination to participate in the Olympics for the United State. Hayes won the figure skating gold medal in 1956 and David captured a bronze in the men's competition. David completed the dream with a gold medal in 1960 at Squaw Valley. Both trained at The Broadmoor Skating Club), Bob Mathias (won the Olympic decathlon in 1948 and 1952, served four terms in Congress, and was the first director of the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs when it opened in 1977), Joe Morgan (a pioneer who paved the way for African-American participation in sports in Colorado Springs in 1948 with his Brown Bombers semi-pro baseball team and later became the first black man to umpire in a state high school championship game in 1970), Joan Powell (legendary volleyball coach whose Palmer High teams won state titles in three divisions. Coached at Arizona and became a top NCAA volleyball official), Pikes Peak Or Bust Rodeo Ramrods.

Class of 2005: Justin Armour (Prep football and basketball star at Manitou Springs High who went on to shine at Stanford and played five seasons in the NFL with the Buffalo Bills and Denver Broncos), Fisher DeBerry (Winningest ever Air Force football coach who directed the Falcons to lofty heights in his 23 seasons and a record of 169-109-1); Jack Finlayson (an early Colorado Springs sports broadcasting legend who did play by play for the Sky Sox, Colorado College ice hockey, Air Force football and the Pikes Peak Hill Climb over more than two decades, as well as KKTV's nightly sports anchor), Ada Gee-DeProsse (Colorado College grad who went on to a spectacular women's basketball coaching career at Ball State, Wisconsin, Vanderbilt, Southern Cal and Nevada), Mike Moran (the USOC's official spokesman for 13 Olympic Games over almost 25 years beginning with the 1980 Lake Placid Games. He later served as the spokesman for the New York 2012 Olympic bid, and now serves as the Director of Communications for the Colorado Springs Sports Corporation), 1971 Wasson High Football Team (state champions with a thrilling 21-19 win over Denver George Washington)

Class of 2006: Rulon Gardner (Olympic gold medal (2000), bronze medal (2004) Greco-Roman Wrestling), Darryl Clack (Widefield High prep track and football star, Arizona State & Dallas Cowboys running back), Dave & Chuck Delich (Colorado Springs ice hockey stars at CC and Air Force), Colleen O'Connor and Jim Millns (1976 Olympic ice dancing bronze medalists who trained at the Broadmoor Skating Club), 1982-83 Air Force Football Teams (ran up an 18-7 mark including a pair of wins against Notre Dame, Navy and Army...played in and won two bowl games against Vanderbilt and Ole Miss, coached by Ken Hatfield).

Class of 2007: Alan Cockrell (Sky Sox Hall of Fame outfielder from 1990-96); Bob Johnson (U.S. Olympic ice hockey 1976 coach, legendary head coach at Wisconsin with three NCAA titles, and coach of the 1991 Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins); Anita Moss (former Harrison High volleyball and basketball star and University of Arizona volleyball All-American); Brock Strom (Air Force Academy 1958 football All-American and College Football Hall of Fame inductee); Amy Van Dyken (Olympic swimming gold medalist with four golds in Atlanta 1996 and two in Sydney 2000); 1956 Colorado Springs High School Football Team (State AA Champions)

Class of 2008: Art Berglund (USA Hockey coaching and development icon over five decades and five U.S. Olympic Teams); Jerry Carle (All-time winningest CC football coach); Chris Fowler (ESPN College Football Game Day Host/Palmer High & CU graduate); Jim Scherr (USOC Chief Executive (2004-2009),1988 Olympian, USA Wrestling executive director); Erin Scholz (Doherty High Prep All-American/CU women's basketball star); Leonard Vahsholtz (Pikes Peak Hill Climb Legend); 1965 Palmer High state baseball champions

Melde To Be Inducted Into Colorado Springs Sports Hall of Fame

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