One of the great perks of my job is that I’m invited to many wonderful charitable events. But if you put me on the spot and asked me which one is my favorite, I’d have to say it’s the San Jose Sports Hall of Fame’s annual induction ceremony and dinner. It’ll take place this week on the floor at the lavishly transformed HP Pavilion and, if you’ve never attended, I highly recommend it.
Established in 1995, the San Jose Sports Hall of Fame honors those from Santa Clara County who have made extraordinary contributions in the sports world. The event also honors the Male and Female High School Athletes of the Year, Male and Female Amateur Athletes of the Year, and Special Olympian of the Year. Proceeds from the dinner benefit Special Olympics Northern California. Going into the Hall of Fame this year are Brent Jones, Barbara and Kathy Jordan, Benny Pierce and Ken Venturi.
So what makes the event so great? It’s the people and their stories. Over the years I’ve been privileged to witness the induction of some of the all-time greats in the sporting world like Bill Walsh, Pablo Morales, John Elway and Patty Sheehan. But most of us know something about their great accomplishments. It’s the stories of the lesser know athletes that always amaze me and the sellout crowd. One of my favorite moments was several years ago when a teary-eyed Dave Righetti reminisced about his days growing up before baseball fame came his way, while several tables filled with his buddies from “back in the day” cheered him on.
If you can’t attend this year, go next year—but remember to check out the bronze plaques displayed on the concourse of HP Pavilion honoring the legends who played in our own back yard.
One of the things that has always bothered me is San Jose’s Rodney Dangerfield complex; i.e., “we don’t get no respect.”
This event, rightly so, honors some of the greats San Jose has produced in Sports. Let’s honor them properly.
I have been to the event a few times and it always surprises me how many sports ties the Bay Area has, and impressive ones at that.
Mark Purdy does a great montage to each athlete. Its a great event!
I have gone in the past and it is an interesting and uplifting event. It is worth the price of admission more than many other dinners that I have attended! I agree, the athletes that are from our backyard that have done wonderful things but the Gen X, Y, etc. do not even know about is the highlight.
I was disappointed with the media coverage on the unveiling of the statues honoring Timmie Smith and John Carlos at SJSU. Other than the local papers and televison, I did not see the event mentioned in major news web sites or even ESPN. If those statues were unveiled in SF or in New York’s Central Park, I am sure it would have been a much larger story.
This brings me to Travellin J’s mention of SJ’s Rodney Dangerfield complex. You just can’t really sit around and wait for people to give you respect. You have to toot your own horn. I don’t see that being done by San Jose and if there is one who is assigned or paid to do that, he is not doing a very good job.
Pho Hoa recognition of the Rodney Dangerfield complex reminds me that the San Jose Mercury, the self proclaimed arbiter of moral purity, has had a policy of not tooting San Jose’s horn. I’ve been told that “Boosterism” does not belong in a metropolitan newspaper. Travelin’ around this land, doin’ the best I can, has exposed me to many newspapers that are not afraid to extoll the virtues of their communities. It’d be nice to see the Merc take a lead on this one.
Randy,
Your blog has brought back so many memories of the role models gracing the Concourse Wall at the HP Pavilion. In 1994 when I was asked to represent the likeness of each Athlete chosen to be become part of the Hall of Fame at then the San Jose Arena, I was as excited then as I am now, about where this effort would takes us.
I guess if I was to pick my favorites they would have to be Al Ruffo. I was telling Al and his lovely wife, that I had designate Al as the Mayor of Bronze Row. He like that. His wife said I made him look like the Pope! She liked that.
Jim Plunkett, who is the role model in my home, got a touch of Superman, because that who he was to all 6 of my children and my wife and I.
Pablo Morales simply came out as the handsome nice guy he is. Bill Walsh thanked me for straightening out his nose. Payton Jordan is one of my favorite people.
I recall back in 1995, there were very few that came to that first event, yet I knew then that given the space and subjects, that Concourse Wall would draw hundreds of supporters to an annual event. Tom Mc. saw that even in the 80’s.
I have produced many Bas reliefs since the creatation of this wonderful Wall Tribute.
Bob Mc Kittirick 49er Coach, Pat Dando, Councilman DeQuisto, Joseph Ridder, Phil Boyse & Susan, I could go on, but my point is that all of these individuals are now and forever validated for the effort they gave to make our community a better place in which to grow up and live.
My foundry is nicely tucked away not more that 50 yards from the north entrance to the HP Pavilion. I welcome you to visit our Hall of Fame walls and all of the friends that have been forever bronzed. San Jose is only now seeing the vision that Tom Mc saw many years ago. It’s not surprising that he was given the handle as “The Garden Mayor” planting seeds is what he did best. I welcome all of you to visit. My son and I will thrill you with stories about space communications, the first automatic teller, Shuttle Crafts, Laser Groceries check out, X Raying Cargo Containers is what we do these days for Home Land Security. I am thrilled at the distance we have covered these past 10 years. Thank You Randy for reminding us that thru our validation of others we recieve our own sprit to grow and include others.
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The Village Black Smith