Year Inducted: 2014 (p)
Nominated By: Thomas Keach (colleague)
Sports Competed In: Tennis
Athlete, Coach or Contributor: Athlete, Coach
High School:
Attended East Aurora H.S., in Illinois, graduating in 1946...Played and lettered four (4) years and qualified for the Illinois State Tennis tournament 1945 and 1946.
College:
Went to Colorado University from 1951-52 and lettered two (2) years, playing #2 singles on the Buffaloes tennis team...Won the 1952 Big 8 Double Title against Oklahoma University at the Big 8 conference tournament at Norman, OK...Thalhamer's best college singles match came during the 1953 season when he defeated the #2 singles player for Southern Methodist University after three (3) hours in Dallas, Texas.
After College:
Thalhamer was a player/teacher of tennis in Pueblo for close to half a century (49 years).. Everett also was a pitcher on numerous Fastpitch softball teams in the Pueblo area from 1950 to 1965 winning many tournaments and several league titles, during which he pitched ten (10) no hitters and had the most strike outs during a seven (7) inning game with fifteen (15).
Coaching:
Everett taught tennis for numerous years for School District 60 and the Belmont Club, in addition to coaching the Pueblo Central H.S., girls tennis team for three seasons (1987-89)
Athletic Achievements:
● Won the Pueblo City single titles three consecutive years (1957-59).
● Won numerous doubles tournament titles in Colorado Springs CO. including the Lynmar, Broadmoor, and “Golden Super Seniors” tournament with Tom Keach.
● Placed second in the "Sectional Equitable Family Tennis Tournament" father & son division in Albuquerque, New Mexico with son "Kurt."
● Played in his last "Paper Cup" tournament in 2009 and placed second in the father & son division with son "Kurt" at age of 80 and was ranked 19th in the State of Colorado in the father & son division.
Honors:
● Received the University of Colorado "Living Legends Award" presented in 2002 by the University of Colorado Alumni C Club for Achievements in Tennis (1951-52).
● Pueblo County Pueblo Teachers Association (PTA) presented a monetary award grant to the PTA Career Education Grant Program in the name of Everett Thalhamer on February 6th, 1974.
● Received the Metropolitan Lions Club "Lion of the Year" Award.
Organizations:
Charter member of the Pueblo Tennis Club in 1961.
Contributions:
Received “Top Hand of the Day” Award presented by KCSJ Radio December 7, 1973.
Related Activities:
Continued playing tennis through 2013 at the age of 84 years...Stopped playing due to an ankle injury.
Occupation:
● Taught Elementary School Physical Education and 6th Grade and in School District #60 for 11 years (1953-1964).
● Elementary School Principal for School District #60 for 19 years (1964-83).
Personal:
Lived in Pueblo, CO with his wife Edna...Passed away on Dec. 23, 2023.
