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The Reno-Tahoe region has a proud history of producing world class athletes including dozens of Olympians, Paralympians, coaches and sports pioneers. Many call Reno-Tahoe 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 premier sports figures and their endeavors at the 3rd annual Reno Tahoe International Sports Hall of Fame dinner gala, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013 at the Atlantis Resort Spa and Casino, Reno, Nev.
The induction honors these four member’s career achievements as well as contribution to the community.
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Pam Buckner
Born and raised in northern California, Buckner moved to Reno, Nev. 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 Aug. 26, 1979, during a national tournament in suburban Detroit, Buckner 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 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.
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Rusty Crook
Crook’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 the University of Nevada where he competed in gymnastics and skiing. Crook 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. Crook has earned several state and national distinctions for his skiing and track and field instruction.
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Frank Hawkins
Born and raised in Las Vegas, Hawkins earned a full football athletic scholarship to the University of Nevada in 1977 after his graduation from Western High School in Las Vegas. 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, Hawkins was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in 1981 and played for the team during his entire seven-year football career, highlighted by his role as the starting fullback 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 a company that builds affordable housing in low-income neighborhoods and is the president of the Las Vegas NAACP.
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Bob Tallman
Born in Winnemucca, Nev., 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. Tallman 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 recently cut back his schedule to allow for other endeavors including spending time tending the family ranch in Poolville, Texas, his online meat seasonings business and The Bob Tallman Charities Foundation that raises funds for a Houston area pediatric hospital and a cowboy crisis fund.
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Scholastic Achievement Awards
This honor, created in 2012, is awarded to deserving athletes, teams or schools recognized for their accomplishments in the field of play and/or the classroom and the community. Receiving the honor this year is:
Jack Rovetti and Drew Rippingham
These two young athletes became fast friends as teammates on the Swope Middle School track and field team. Both eight graders during last school season, Rovetti, who has Down’s Syndrome, was befriended by Rippingham at the beginning of the season but it was the final race of their season that cemented both in the hearts and minds of all those who love sport for its purest of reasons – camaraderie and sportsmanship.
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Special Recognition:
Leland Hernandez
This longtime Reno resident has devoted decades of time, talent and yes, “treasure” to promote and enhance sports in Reno-Tahoe. Hernandez was a longtime co-owner of the Class-A Reno Silver Sox minor league baseball team that called Moana Stadium home. Since the early 1990’s, he has been a staunch supporter of the region’s efforts to bring the Olympic Winter Games back to Reno-Tahoe. Hernandez remains an Honorary Member of the Highest Order to the Reno Tahoe Winter Games CoalitionLongtime Reno broadcaster and Nevada historian John Tyson will be the evening’s Master of Ceremonies.WHEN: Saturday, November 23, 2013, 5:30 p.m.
WHERE:
Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, 3800 S. Virginia St., Reno, Nev.
WHO:
Formed in 2003 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, the RTWGC’ s mission is to promote the Olympic Movement throughout Reno-Tahoe by hosting, facilitating, and embracing competitions and events showcasing the region’s ability to be a premier sports destination. The private and public sector supporters that comprise the RTWGC are committed to the mission of having Reno-Tahoe selected as the next North American region to host the Olympic Winter Games.
WHY:
Reno-Tahoe has a proud history of producing world-class athletes including dozens of Olympians and Paralympians. Many of those athletes call Reno-Tahoe home and carry on our sporting legacy by helping develop the next generation of talent. The RTWGC is committed to honoring these premier athletes, coaches, and sports pioneers for their accomplishments and contributions to the region. The RTWGC’s International Sports Hall of Fame has been created to forever enshrine the best of our elite athletes and to celebrate their careers.
TICKETS:
Reserve tickets by calling 775-622-1889 or visiting online www.renotahoewintergames.org.
