Recreated by the RTWGC after a 20 year absence, the International Sports Hall of Fame proudly enshrined seven inductees ranging from athletes and coaches, to sport pioneers, for their accomplishments and contributions to the region. The Dinner Gala inductions took place January 6th at the Atlantis Resort Spa Casino, the event’s presenting sponsor. The dinner gala had been previously scheduled for November 18, 2011 but was postponed due to the Caughlin Fire in Reno that day.
The list of luminaries truly reflected an elite group of leaders in their respective fields…from creating a world class ski resort to a visionary basketball coach. View the complete list of inductees here. http://www.renotahoewintergames.org/archives/1349
Past inductees include Reno resident and multiple-time Tour de France winner Greg LeMond, former Carson City resident and MLB All-Star Matt Williams, Hug High, UCLA and former NFL star JoJo Townsell and former NFL standout and current sport shooting champion Dan Orlich. LPGA Hall of Famer and Reno resident, Patty Sheehan, also a previous inductee, served on the selection committee and attended the gala.
The evening kicked off in rousing fashion by Master of Ceremonies and 1998 Olympic Freestyle skiing gold medalist, Jonny Moseley, who shared the same contagious enthusiasm felt throughout the room. More than 400 people attended the formal gala that was sold out weeks in advance. Guests wined, dined and mingled while participating in a silent auction. But once the program began, emotions rose to the surface and all eyes were peeled to the stage soon to be filled with an illustrious gathering of inductees.
One-by-one they took the stage to receive a specially crafted trophy designed by David Lorenz of Michael & Sons Jewelers of Reno. From Nancy Cushing’s recall of her husband’s Alex Cushing passion and vision to Franz Weber’s expressive gratitude after choosing to make this region his home, each and every inductee had a story, a memory to share that kept the guests spellbound. Sherry McConkey, speaking on behalf of her late husband Shane’s induction, brought tears to the house when exclaiming, “He’s looking down now from up there and smiling, not just for his own recognition, but for all those inducted tonight, especially his dear friends Daron Rahlves, Franz Weber and Tamara McKinney.”
Jon Kiloran, CEO of the RTWGC, was visibly thrilled by the energy in the ballroom. “We are so grateful for the community’s support of our bringing back the International Sports Hall of Fame. From the Bay Area to the Lake Tahoe Basin and the Sierra, right down to Reno’s valley floor, the turnout and enthusiasm for this induction ceremony has been fantastic.”
Inductee Lynette Davis may have summed it up perfectly when she said, “I am here to show that if you are passionate about something and work hard at it, from playing to coaching to administration, you can be successful.” There’s little doubt that the Gala’s true success was evident in this region’s strong desire to host the Winter Games in 2022.
