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Reno Tahoe International Sports Hall of Fame Induction
The Reno-Tahoe region has a proud history of producing world class athletes including dozens of Olympians, Paralympians, other athletes, coaches and sports pioneers. Many of them still make the region their home and continue to carry on the tradition of sport legacy by helping develop the next generation of talent. It is the commitment of the Reno Tahoe Winter Games Coalition (RTWGC) to honor these premiere sports figures and their endeavors by hosting the Reno Tahoe International Sports Hall of Fame Induction. This gala event will honor their career achievements as well as their contribution to our communities. The Dinner Gala will be held Saturday, November 23rd, at the Atlantis Resort Spa Casino in Reno. This formal and festive evening, beginning at 5:30 pm, will proudly induct four of the region’s finest from the world of sports. They are:
Pam Buckner
Born and raised in northern California, Pam Buckner moved to Reno in the early 1980’s, during the prime years of her career on the Women’s pro bowling tour. By then her legend on tour had already been cemented. On August 26, 1979 during a national tournament in suburban Detroit, Pam became the first woman in competitive bowling history to roll back-to-back perfect 300 games. The lefthander captured numerous titles while also representing Ebonite as a national bowling equipment sales manager. She also has coached hundreds of kids to bowl in Reno since moving here in 1981 and still does so at the High Sierra Lanes, which also hosts the annual Pam Buckner Open.
Rusty Crook
Rusty’s athletic endeavors started early in life. While attending Reno High School he became a Nevada State diving and pole vault champion. He was a member of the University of Denver NCAA championship ski team before returning to Reno and the University of Nevada, where he competed in gymnastics and skiing. Rusty is a retired Washoe County School District physical education teacher and also coached a variety of sports during his 30-year tenure. He is the founder and former director of the Mt. Rose Falcon ski team and former technical director of the junior ski program. Rusty has earned several state and national distinctions for his skiing and track and field instruction.
Frank Hawkins
Born and raised in Las Vegas, Frank Hawkins earned a full football athletic scholarship to the University of Nevada in 1977 after his graduation from Western High School. Hawkins became the first of a long line of “Nevada Backs” in Chris Ault’s high-octane offense. A four-year starter, “The Hawk” amassed 5,333 rushing yards, the fourth highest total in college football history. A three-time All-American, Frank was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in 1981 and played for them during his entire seven-year career, highlighted by his role in the starting backfield for the 1983 Super Bowl champion Raiders after their move to Los Angeles. Upon retirement, Hawkins returned to his native Las Vegas and was elected to the City Council. He now owns accompany which builds affordable housing in low-income neighborhoods and is the president of the Las Vegas NAACP.
Bob Tallman
Born in Winnemucca and raised during his early years on a ranch in Orovada, Bob Tallman learned the cowboy way. Realizing his future wasn’t in athletics but rather in talking about them, Tallman found his way to becoming an announcer on the rodeo circuit. Bob announced his first event, an amateur rodeo in his native Winnemucca, in 1970 and within five years was on the microphone at the National Finals Rodeo. He revolutionized rodeo announcing by painting a picture for fans rather than just blurting out a name and a result. Tallman has been enshrined in numerous regional and national rodeo Hall of Fames and has now cut back his schedule to allow for other endeavors including the family ranch in Poolville, Texas, his online meat seasonings business and The Bob Tallman Charities Foundation raising funds for a Houston area pediatric hospital and a cowboy crisis fund.
Leland Hernandez
This longtime Reno resident has devoted decades of time, talent and yes, “treasure” to promote and enhance sports in Reno-Tahoe. Leland was a longtime co-owner of the Class-A Reno Silver Sox minor league baseball team which called Moana Stadium home. He also since the early 1990’s has been a staunch supporter of the region’s efforts to bring the Olympic Winter Games back to Reno-Tahoe. He remains an Honorary Member of the Highest Order to the Reno Tahoe Winter Games Coalition.
Jack Rovetti & Drew Rippingham
These two young athletes became fast friends as teammates on the Swope Middle School track and field team. Both eighth graders during last school season, Jack who has Down’s Syndrome was befriended by Drew, at the beginning of the season, but it was the final race of their season which cemented both in the hearts and minds of all those who love sport for its purest of reasons, camaraderie and sportsmanship.