History was made last fall when the Greenwave Hall of Fame inducted its first class.
Thirty-five inductees, which included coaches, contributors, student-athletes and teams, were honored in October during Homecoming week, capping off a two-year development to getting the hall off the ground. Many attempts were made previously but fell through for various reasons with the commitment required being at the forefront.
Nevertheless, thanks to many volunteers, the First Wave was announced last summer followed by the inaugural dinner and ceremony. And the hall will continue growing every year as nominations are currently open for the Second Wave. The nomination form, which can be found at greenwavehalloffame.com, is due May 31. The second induction class will be announced in June. The ceremony, however, is scheduled to occur in the late summer or early fall.
Many of Fallon’s greats were enshrined last year, which included an Olympian, national volleyball champion and several who were also inducted into the NIAA Hall of Fame. A handful is also in the Nevada Wolf Pack Hall of Fame. The first class was as prestigious as it gets.
But don’t think that this second class is anything less.
With more than 100 years of history, Fallon is rich in tradition and athletic galore. Many have shined for the green and white throughout the years and deserve to be nominated. The volleyball team that won back-to-back state titles or the golf team that won its first-ever state title in 2006 is eligible to go into this year’s class. Several standout athletes from the 1980s, including Steve Heck and Tom McCormick, are eligible and worthy of a nomination.
For most student-athletes who represent the Greenwave, this is the end of the line for sports. Some are fortunate to find a college to continue their careers and a select few find stardom after college. High school athletics are just as important as academics in shaping and building a person’s character, which makes this Hall of Fame honor more important.
“When I analyze why we put people in our NIAA Hall of Fame, it really all comes down to the fact that the individuals we induct are superior in what they did, how they did it and for how long they operated at the highest levels,” said the NIAA’s Donnie Nelson, who was last year’s Greenwave HOF guest speaker and also runs the NIAA HOF. “But it’s also the character traits our inductees displayed and the love they showed for others that made them the most revered citizens in their school communities.”
It’s easy to reminisce about how great these athletes, coaches and contributors were during their time but they need your help in getting nominated. Visit the Greenwave Hall of Fame website, complete a form and be a part of history as the Hall of Fame welcomes its Second Wave later this year.
Thomas Ranson can be contacted at lvnsports@yahoo.com.
