Re-live the CSU-Pueblo Athletics Hall of Fame Induction

Eight added to the Hall, including 1996 USC College World Series baseball team.

Related: Video of acceptance speeches from Induction Ceremony
Related: Photos from Induction
Related: To order prints of photos, visit http://www.shutterfly.com/pro/garcia/ThunderWolves
Related: View reflections on the night by CSU-Pueblo Director of Athletics, Joe Folda.

PUEBLO, Colo. (GoThunderWolves.com - Nov. 4, 2010) - Six outstanding student athletes, an outstanding coach, a special contributor and an outstanding team each received induction into the CSU-Pueblo Athletics Hall of Fame Friday.

The second ever induction class into the Hall of Fame, the group included former student-athletes Jason Allen (Men’s Golf), Connie Bond Farrell-Grubbs (Gymnastics), Kerri Chase-Milliken (Softball), Bill Gower (Football), Curtis Jimerson (Men’s Basketball), Andy Pipher (Wrestling), former tennis and basketball coach, Don McIntosh, and special contributors, Art and Lorraine Gonzales.  Also inducted were the 1996 Division II College World Series baseball team.

The induction ceremony, emceed for the second time by local radio personality, Wallace Cotton, took place at the Occhiato University Center Ballroom, and was the first event of a "Hall of Fame Weekend," which included a tour of the revamped campus at CSU-Pueblo, as well as recognition at the CSU-Pueblo/New Mexico Highlands "Hall of Fame" football game Saturday night.

The highlight of the induction was the recognition paid to the 1996 University of Southern Colorado baseball team, of which many of the team's members were in attendance.  The representatives of the team speaking on behalf, which included Scott Jenson, David Padilla and the coach of the team, Stan Sanchez, reviewed tales that have become legends since that team's epic run.

"[When I arrived to the team in 1994], when practice was over, we would build the stadium," Jenson said.  "We laid the bricks.  We put up the scaffolding.  What we didn't realize was that it brought us all together as a team."

In 1994, when the program was re-started after a 9-year hiatus, those first two USC squads won conference titles.  It all led to 1996, where the team put it together for their big run, playing through the losers' bracket to claim the RMAC Tournament championship, then managing huge upsets en route to a College World Series berth.

"Don't tell anybody this, because I'd probably get fired, but Jared Ewen threw 248 pitches [during the three-win triple-header the ThunderWolves needed to win the RMAC title]," Sanchez said.  "The last pitch coming out of his hand was at 94 miles per hour.  That's what our game is all about - passion and adrenaline."

The class was the second to be inducted in the CSU-Pueblo Athletics Hall of Fame, with the inaugural hall of fame class being inducted last year. 

"The one thing that stood out to me was how important [the inductees'] opportunity to participate in athletics had played a part in their success after their graduation," CSU-Pueblo Director of Athletics, Joe Folda, said.  "As I listened to the inductees talk, I was reminded of how important our jobs are in the athletics program.  If conducted right, an athletic program can do so much to help student athletes mature and grow into successful citizens beyond their college days."

Nominations are currently being accepted for the third class of the CSU-Pueblo Athletics Hall of Fame, to take place in October 2011.  To submit a nomination, visit http://www.gothunderwolves.com/athletics/halloffame/nomination.