By John Hernandez
The San Manuel High School Athletic Hall of Fame is now a reality.
An advisory committee, which is comprised of varsity coaches and the school’s athletic directory, will choose the first group of athletes to be inducted.
The induction ceremony will be held Friday, Jan. 18, at half time of the varsity basketball game.
The first inductees into the San Manuel High School Athletic Hall of Fame are John Dicus (community involvement), Warner Smith (outstanding football player), Sheila Baize (athlete and coach) and Greg Parker (class of 1964, outstanding basketball, baseball and football player).
Nomination to the Athletic Hall of Fame is open to anyone that contributed to San Manuel High School athletics whether it is as an athlete, coach or community member/booster. Any community member can nominate someone for the Hall. Nomination forms can be picked up at the San Manuel High School office. For an athlete to be eligible, he must be a San Manuel High School graduate, out of school for at least one year and been an outstanding contributor to San Manuel sports. Athletic careers and accomplishments after high school are also taken into account when nominees are voted on. Nominees must also be in good standing with the community.
Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Alfred Trejo Jr. said that the advisory committee can use some knowledge about outstanding athletes from the 1950s and 60s.
Nomination forms must be submitted by May for next year’s selection to the Hall of Fame. Nominees are contacted so they can provide more information on their accomplishments and their address to be invited to an induction ceremony if selected.