Year Inducted: 2024
Nominated By: Julie Yalotz (daughter)
Sports Competed In: Racing
Nominated as: Athlete

Before High School:
Softball 14U State Champions, Catcher 1952-1954 (coaches John & Dan Rosales)

High School:
Attended Pueblo Central High School...Played catcher for the Wildcats...Three year letterman...Member of 1956 State Baseball Championship team.

Military:
● Joined the United States Marines Corps (1960-64).
● Worked as a jet aircraft mechanic.
● Expert rifleman
● Honorable Discharge

Racing:
● Automobile Racing: 1958 - On and off for 66 years.
● Competed at Pikes Peak Speedway, Roy Sportsman's Raceway Park, Colorado Springs International Speedway in Colorado Springs.
● Altus Oklahoma and Craig Road Speedway, Las Vegas, Nevada.
● The Copper World Classic, Phoenix International Raceway 1985.
● Licensed NASCAR driver, Southwest Tour series, 1998 Thru 2009, at Pikes Peak International Raceway and Colorado National Speedway.

Stock Cars (1958-2009):
● Super Late Model Champion, Beacon Hill Speedway 1972. Licensed NASCAR driver 1998 thru 2009.
● Driven through out Colorado and Kansas, also Oklahoma, Phoenix, Arizona and Las Vegas, Nevada.
● Has won well over 100 races, however no one has kept track of the exact number.

Sprint Car (2004-Present):
● Super Late Model Champion, Beacon Hill Speedway 1972. Licensed NASCAR driver 1998 thru 2009.
● Driven through out Colorado and Kansas, also Oklahoma, Phoenix, Arizona and Las Vegas, Nevada.
● Has won well over 100 races, however no one has kept track of the exact number.

Contributions:
● Kiwanis Club of Pueblo (1989-present). First two-term president of this club.
● Marine Corps League: "Home of Hero's" detachment 1376 for over 10 years.

Personal Affiliations/Achievements:
● Inducted into the Colorado Motor Sports Hall of Fame class of 2023.
● Civil Air Patrol member for over 40 years and former Mountain Mission Pilot.

Related Activities:
Bill is still driving a vintage spring car with the Colorado Vintage Oval Races and Kansas Antique Racers and winning all over Colorado and Kansas.

Personal:
Life-long resident of Pueblo (84 years)... Married to his wife Sandra...Currently lives in Pueblo West, CO.

Year Inducted: 2024
Nominated By: Dave Dudley
Nominated as: Contributor

High School:
Attended Pueblo South High School, graduating in 1975.

College:
Continued his higher education at the University of Southern Colorado...Graduated in 1980 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

Contributor:
Arch Billmire Company (1982-84):
● Hired as a sales associate based out of Denver representing Russell Athletic and Johnson & Johnson products.
● Mike's USC degree and experience gained working at Herb's Sports Shop in downtown Pueblo during high school and college were critical factors separating him from other candidates.
● Hiring at Arch Billmire Company led to a life-long and storied career in the sporting goods industry.

Rawlings Sporting Goods, Inc. (1984-present: 40 years and counting):
● Recruited Mike to San Diego, CA to lead sales efforts in the very competitive southern California market.
● Has held several senior executive level positions focusing his efforts on sales and marketing activities including the position of "Senior Vice President of Global Sports Marketing & New Business Development" and his current position since 2017 as "Chief Marketing Officer"
● Guided the Rawlings brand to incredible success working closely with Major League Baseball (MLB), Minor League Baseball, the National Football League, the NCAA, numerous amateur and youth organizations including the Babe Ruth League, Little League and Perfect Game.
● Instrumental in the Rawlings acquisition of Easton, a major manufacture of aluminum style baseball bats, softball bats.

Achievements:
● Earned numerous awards at Rawlings including, "Rookie Salesman of the Year" in 1985, 3x Regional Sales Manager , for outstanding sales production and the “Finest in the Field Award” for corporate leadership.
● Earned a promotion to Regional Sales Manager with product sales responsibilities over much of the western US (1989).
● Selected as National Director of Sales and soon became Vice President of Sales (1994).
● He became the youngest VP in Rawlings history.
● Developed professional business and personal relationships with professional athletes, coaches and executives throughout professional and amateur baseball as well as many other sports.
● Helped elevate the Rawlings brand throughout the North American sports world as well as in South America, Europe, Australia, Korea and Japan.
● Has presented many Rawlings "Gold Glove" awards to MLB players in ballparks throughout America over the years. This award has been around since 1957 for baseball defensive excellence at each position in both the National and American Leagues and is one of the most coveted awards a player can receive.
● Created the annual Gold Glove Award celebration event traditionally held for award winners and their guests at the Plaza Hotel in Manhattan, NYC. This is one of the premier events in all of sport.

Contributions:
● Has made significant contributions to the business success of the 136-year-old company during his 40+ years with Rawlings Sporting Goods, Inc.
● His success is grounded in hard work which was ingrained into him at an early age during a modest upbringing with proud Pueblo blue-collar roots and discipline gained through competitive childhood sports.
● Has developed and still maintains relationships with some of the greatest players and organizations in baseball history.
● Created the "Platinum Glove Award" (2011), allowing fans to vote electronically to select the best defensive players in both leagues from Gold Glove Award winners.
● Recently led the design of the new Rawlings corporate headquarters building located in suburban St. Louis which includes an immersive experience called "The Rawlings Experience" where visitors can experience baseball history, demo Rawlings products, design personalized gloves and bats or purchase memorabilia.
● Helped market the Rawlings brand through oversight of baseball glove contracts negotiations with many star players at the major league level while also ensuring the Rawlings baseball continues as the official ball, glove, helmet and base of Major League Baseball.

Personal Affiliations/Achievements:
● "Angel Award" Prostate Cancer Fans for the Cure.
●  "Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame Inductee" (2024).
●  "Baseball Hall of Fame Leadership Council" - Baseball HOF.
●  "One of 21 Top Leaders for the 21st Century in Sports" - Sports Trend's Magazine.
●  "Meritorious Service Award" - Baseball Coaches of America.
●  "Lifetime Achievement Award" - Men's Senior League Baseball.
●  "Presidents Award" Youth Basketball of America.
●  "Alumni Association Board Emeritus" - Babe Ruth League.
●  "Board of Director Member" - St. Louis Sports Commission.
●  "Partner Award" - Albert Pujols Foundation.

Related Activities:
● Has quietly supported numerous organizations through product donations and financial contributions never seeking public attention.
● Has provided uniforms, bats, balls and other equipment to several needy school, college and club teams in Colorado, Missouri and other teams around the country.
● Provided significant personal funds in support of Runyon Field during a time of financial need a few years ago along with another Pueblo South High graduate.

Personal:
Pueblo resident for 22 years...Currently resides in Chesterfield, MO, along with his wife Colleen.

Year Inducted: 2024
Nominated By: Patrick Laughlin
Sports Competed In: Basketball, Soccer, Softball
Nominated as: Athlete

High School:
Attended Pueblo East High School...Graduated in 2011...Earned six academic letters during her career with the Eagles.

Achievements:
High School (Softball):
● Four-year letterman (2007-11).
● All-Conference selection four times (2007-11).
● All-State (years 2008,2009, 2010).
● Led Eagles to four state tournament appearances (2007-11).
● Two-time South-Central League (S-CL) Batting Champion (2009, 2010).
● S-CL stolen base leader (2009, 2010).
● Brian Macartney Award Winner (2011).
● Selected as the "Fall Playmaker" Award (2010).

High School (Basketball):
● Four-year letterman (2007-11).
● Three-time All-Conference (2009, 2010, 2011).
● Twice selected to the S-CL All-Defense team (2010, 2011).
● Made four straight state tournament appearances: Includes trips to the Final Four and Elite Eight (2007-11).

High School (Soccer):
● Two-year letterwinner (2007-09).
● All-Conference (2009).
● Lead Eagles in Scoring (2009).

College:
Attended Colorado State University-Pueblo (2012-15)

Achievements:
College (Softball):
● Played softball for the Thunderwolves.
● Selected three times to the First-Team All-Conference (2013, 2014, 2015).
● All-Region (2013, 2015).
● All-American (2013).
● Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) "Player-of-the-Year (2015).

In the Softball Record Books (Single Season):
● Holds CSU-Pueblo single season stolen bases with 32 (2015) and 31 in both the 2014 and 2012 seasons.
● Ranks second all-time in singles (62) in 2015.
● Ranks fourth all-time in hits (72) in 2015.
● Ranks sixth all-time in triples (5) in 2014 and 2012.
● Ranks sixth and eighth all-time in most at bats (185) in 2015 and (178) 2014, respectively.
● Tied for sixth all-time in triples (49) in 2015 with Monica Hashiguchi (1999).
● Ranks sixth and eighth most runs scored (49) in 2015 and (48) 2014, respectively.

In the Softball Record Books (Career):
● Ranks first all-time in stolen bases (118).
● Ranks first all-time with most hits (247).
● Ranks first all-time in runs (169).
● Ranks first all-time in triples (17).
● Ranks second all-time in total at bats (649).
● Ranks fifth all time in batting average (.389).
● Ranks fourth all-time in total bases (324).

Honors:
Inducted into the Pueblo East HS Hall of Fame (2022)

Personal:
Alexa has lived in Pueblo all her life. She is married to Joshua Sandoval and together they have three kids (two boys, Kingstyn (5) and Braxstyn (3), and one girl Austyn (4 months)).

Year Inducted: 2024
Nominated By: Brad Ranson (brother)
Sports Competed In: Baseball, Basketball
Nominated as: Athlete, Coach, Contributor and Official

High School:
Attended Pueblo South High School...Graduated in 1975.

Achievements:
High School:
● Three-year letter-winner in baseball (1973-75)
● Two-year letter-winner in basketball (1974-75)
● Positions earned during senior year (1975):
     - All-City Basketball Team "Player-of-the-Year"
     - All-League South-Central League First-Team Basketball.
     - 3A State Tournament All-Tournament Team scoring 28 points in All-State game.
     - 3A All-State First-Team in Basketball.
     - 3A All-State Baseball
     - Western All-American High School basketball team.
     - Third in the South-Central League in hitting with zero strike-outs the entire year.

College:
Chose the University of Denver from several offers of a Division 1 Athletic Scholarship to play baseball and basketball in 1975-76...He transferred to San Diego State University and graduated in 1980.

Achievements:
College (Basketball):
● DU Game Stats (Freshman): GP 27 FG 117 FGA 267 PCT. 44% FT 69 FTA 86 PCT 81% REB 117 TP 303 AVG 11.2.
● DU Game Stats (Sophomore): GP 27 FG 116 FGA 249 PCT 47% FT 72 FTA 91 PCT 80% REB 94 TP 304 AVG 11.3.
● Ranson was awarded “Defensive Player-of-the-Year” during junior year at SDSU.
● SDSU Game Stats (Junior): GP 26 FG 36 FGA 63 PCT 57% FT 8 FTA 15 PCT 54% AST 63 STL 13 PTS 60 AVG 6.
● Ranson was selected as “Captain of the SDSU Basketball Team” during his senior year.
● SDSU Game Stats (Senior): GP 10 FG 23 FGA 54 PCT 43% FT 19 FTA 25 PCT 77%.
● While at SDSU, Ranson was honored with the Western Athletic Conference All-Academic Team (1979-80).

College (Baseball):
● University of Denver Baseball AVG .298, with four home runs (1976).
● University of Denver Baseball AVG .313 with six home runs (1977).
● Ranson was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball (1978).

Notable Events in Athletics:
● During his junior year of high school, Jim sustained a broken ankle during the last week of basketball. The following week, he had the cast off for the state playoffs. Ranson went on to play baseball but had to change positions from SS to 1B.
● Between practices for the All-State High School basketball game in Boulder, Colorado, Jim traveled to Denver and played in a State Legion tournament game with two home runs. Ranson returned to Boulder and scored 28 points in the All-State basketball game the next night.
● While attending the DU, Ranson played a college baseball game in the afternoon and a college basketball game that same evening.
● Notable teams played against during Ranson’s career: UCLA, Colorado State University, UNLV, Indiana State, USC, University of San Francisco, Utah, and Wyoming.
● Ranson competed against the following notable players: Reggie Theus, Darnell Valentine, Richard Washington, Marcus Johnson, KiKi Vanderweghe, Larry Bird, Bill Cartwright, Glen Gondrezick, Al Bubba Baker, and Eddie Hughes.
● At DU, Ranson played with Bob Heaton and Jim Mitchem as freshmen and sophomores before Heaton transferred to Indiana State and Mitchem to DePaul. They played against each other in the Final Four, which included Larry Bird, Mark Aguirre, and Magic Johnson.
● While at SDSU, Ranson played alongside Tony Gwynn in the backcourt.
● Ranson’s career ended when he broke his hand against Tennessee 10 basketball games into his senior year.
● Ranson was a volunteer baseball/basketball coach for ten years.

After College:
● Jim played for the Pueblo Steelers Baseball Club in Pueblo, Colorado (1976)
● He also played in the Midnight Sun game playing for the Alaska Goldpanners (1977).
● Ranson continued participating in the Denver area sports scene, playing in Denver's Pro/Am basketball league, fastpitch softball, and slowpitch.

Personal Affiliations:
● Coaching Denver Youth Sports: Volunteer Coach Denver, Colorado (2006-15)
● Umpired American Legion baseball for high school players in Denver, Colorado.

Contributions:
●  Jim has worked predominantly in commercial real estate on both the state and national levels.
● His career has lasted for nearly 40 years, and he has worked for some of the world's largest commercial real estate companies, such as CB Richard Ellis, Newmark Knight Frank, and Grubb and Ellis.
● Currently, Jim is the sole proprietor of Integrated CRE Ltd. He specializes in representing tenants and corporations locally and nationally at this commercial real estate firm.
● Ranson's clients have included Molson/Coors, US WEST/Qwest, AT&T, DeVry University, Excel Energy, and United Artists Theatre Circuit.
● He donated his time, energy, and money to obtain sports equipment for his son's high school teams.
● He also coached his sons in Little League Baseball and Basketball.

Personal:
Pueblo resident for 18 years before moving to Denver after college...Married to Martha for 30 years, with two sons, Ben, 27, and Jack, 23.

Year Inducted: 2024
Nominated By: Kaylyn Kingman
Sports Competed In: Wrestling
Nominated as: Athlete, Coach, Contributor

High School:
Attended Pueblo South High School...Graduated in 1989.

Achievements:
● Pueblo South High School- 3X Lettermen, District Runner-up, District Champion/State Qualifier.
● Wrestled for Army Team: Selected for Winter World Team Camp - Freestyle/Greco-Roman (1996).
● Made the All-Army Team/World Class Athlete Program - Freestyle/Greco Roman (1996).
● University of Southern Colorado- NCAA DII athlete (2000)

Coaching/Achievements:
LEILEHUA HIGH SCHOOL, HAWAII:
Volunteer Coach Hawaii Team State Champions (1995).

ARMY HAWAII TEAM: Head Coach (1994-95)
Four athletes were selected to the All-Army Team.

PUEBLO SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL: Assistant Coach (1996-2001)
● Colorado 4A State Team Champions
● Colorado 5A State Runner-up
● Helped coach six individual state champions.
● Started Freestyle/Greco off-season program for Pueblo South.
● National Wrestling Coaches Association, "Assistant Coach-of-the-Year," Colorado

RAMPART HIGH SCHOOL: Head Coach (2001-05)
Coached one individual state champion, seven state qualifiers, and two state placers.

FOUNTAIN FORT CARSON HIGH SCHOOL: Head Coach
● Finished 6th at the 2012 5A State Wrestling Tournament, the best result in school history for wrestling.
● Coached athlete to an undefeated season, the 5A State Wrestling Championship, and tournament MVP in 2012.
● 2010 5A Regional Team Champions, 2011, 2012 5A Team Regional Runner-ups.
● In 2010, 85 wrestlers came out for wrestling and finished with 60.
● In 2011, 97 wrestlers came out for wrestling and finished with 85.
● Coached 38 regional placers, 10 state placers, and eight regional champions.
● Coached the most state qualifiers (32) and most state placers (10) in school history.
● Mentored 27 all-state academic students/athletes and mentored two wrestlers who attended the US Military Academy.
     -33 wrestlers nominated for All-Area Honors.
     - Nine wrestlers were selected to the All-State Teams.
     - six wrestlers qualified for the Colorado National Dual Team, Fargo, ND.
     - Six wrestlers recruited to compete in college.
     - Two-time "Coach of the Year" Metro Wrestling Championships.

Contributor/Achievements:
24 years contributing to kids as an Educator, Dean of Students, Coach, Athletic Director, and Principal.

Contributions:
● Recipient of the National Wrestling Hall of Fames Colorado Chapter "Merit Award" (2011).
● Selected to coach the National Wrestling Coaches Association Scholastic Dual Team for Colorado in Indiana (2011).
● Selected for Colorado High School Coaches Association 54th All-State Games, All-State Coach (2010).
● Recipient of Colorado Springs Metro Wrestling Championships, "Coach-of-the-Year" (2010).
● Recipient of Colorado Springs Metro Wrestling Championships, "Coach-of-the-Year" (2009).
● Recipient of "Who's Who Among American Teachers & Educators" (2006-07).
● Recipient of "Who's Who Among American Teachers & Educators" (2004-05).
● Recipient of National Wrestling Coaches Association, "Assistant Coach-of-the-Year," Colorado (1999-00)
● Published in the Fall "The Complete Coach" issue, USA Wrestling (1997).

Personal Affiliations/Achievements:
United States Army, Infantry 1989-1996
Combat Veteran, Desert Shield Desert Storm (1991)

USA Wrestling, Colorado Springs, Colorado (1997-2012) National Coaching Pool:
● Head Coach Junior Pan American Greco Champions in Managua, Nicaragua (2010).
● Assistant Coach Junior Pan American Freestyle Runner-ups in Managua, Nicaragua (2010).
● Worked with numerous senior world teams (1997-2005), junior world teams, winter training, and Big Brother wrestling camps.
● Assistant Coach for the Olympic team training camps, Colorado Springs, Colorado (2000, 2004)
● Head Coach University World Championships in Edmonton, Canada: Led team to a 5th place finish (summer 2002).
● Selected to coach the Future Olympians Program in Alabama (2004).
● Head coach of a cadet/junior/university level team in Stockholm, Sweden, Summer games (1999).
● Selected to coach the Cadet Team in Portugal in the summer of 2003 (canceled due to national threat).

Related Activities:
Fountain Fort-Carson, District Athletic Director
I served the community in multiple capacities with CHSAA, improving middle and high school sports programs and developing community partnerships with sports organizations, including supporting our Trojan athletic programs.
Pueblo West High School, Principal
I served the community in multiple capacities, including supporting our Cyclone athletic programs.
Pueblo South High School, Athletic Director/Assistant Principal
I served the community in multiple capacities, including supporting our Colt athletic programs.

Personal:
Pueblo resident of 53 years...Married to Sulema...Has one daughter Kaylyn, who is married to Neal Kingman and three grandchildren (Carter, Corey, and Jesse Kingman).

Year Inducted: 2024
Nominated By: Marc Anzlovar
Sports Competed In: Golf
Nominated as: Athlete, Coach, Contributor

High School:
Attended Pueblo South High School...Graduated in 1975.

Achievements:
High School:
● Three-year letterwinner in golf for the Colts (1972-75).
● Individual District Champion at Lamar with a score of 76 in 1975.
● Two-time State qualifier.
● Finished 2nd in high school city championship to eventual state champion Jeff Armstrong in 1974.
● Consistently shot in the 70s during the 1974 and 1975 seasons

College:
Attended the University of Southern Colorado (now CSU Pueblo).

Achievements:
College:
● Played four years for the Indians (1976-80).
● Two-time All-Conference selection (1979, 1980).
● Honorable mention All-American (1980).
● Led Indians to two NCAA Golf Championship Appearances.

After College:
● Three-time winner of the Pueblo City Championships (1976, 1977, 1979).
● Won the Western Chapter Championship (1987) as a pro in Durango, CO.
● Assistant Golf Pro, City Park, Pueblo, CO (1981-83).
● Assistant Golf Pro at Hillcrest Golf Club, Durango, CO (1984-89).
● Won numerous Pro-Am Tournaments.
● Played in two Colorado Opens.

Contributions:
● Spent one year as teaching professional at World Golf & Sand Creek Golf Course in Colorado Springs (1990-91).
● Head Golf Professional at Hollydot Golf Club in Rye, CO for 29 years (1991 to 2020).

Affiliations/Achievements:
Class 'A' member of both the Professional Golf Association (PGA) and the Colorado PGA for 35 years.

Related Activities:
Currently retired, but still coaches and teaches students the game of golf at both Walking Stick GC Pueblo, CO and Hollydot.

Personal:
Life-long resident of Pueblo... Married to his wife Robin...Has three daughters (Lyndsey, Ashley and Leslie), one son (Andy) and four granddaughters and two grandsons.

Year Inducted: 2024
Nominated By: Michael Salardino
Nominated as: Contributor

Contributor:
Has been a part of the Pueblo sports scene and a community leader for many years...His talent has spread across the three communication mediums: print (newspapers & magazines); radio; and television. Despite not being listed as an "athlete" as a qualification, Cervi won the individual South-Central League golf title for Central High School his senior year and is one of Pueblo's most avid golfers.

Achievements:
Sports Writer/Editor:
● Award-winning journalist who started as a sportswriter
● Promoted to Deputy Sports Editor and then finally Sports Editor.
● Managed a five-person sports staff of a daily newspaper.
● Coverage included nine local high schools, dozens of area high schools, a Division II university with 22 sports, as well as spot Broncos,            Avalanche, Nuggets, Rockies, CU, CSU and Air Force coverage.
● Proficient in pagination. Can handle anywhere from 3 to 12 section pages a day - on deadline.
● Able to handle deadlines, both real and imagined.
● Helped implement several front-end network systems.
● Part of several teams who were trained to help train staff.
● Has the innate ability to not only listen, but hear what people are saying.
● Recognized nationally, regionally and locally as one of the top sports journalists.

Sports Editor
Loveland-Herald, Loveland, CO (1991-1995).

Sports Reporter
Casa Grande Dispatch, Casa Grande, AZ (1989-1991).

Achievements:
On Air-Talent:
● CNM Sports (TV) 1999-2017.
● Xfinity CET Sports TV (2010-2015).
● 1350 AM Fox Sports Radio (2007 - present).
● Serve as on-air analyst for Division II college football games on radio.
● Served as TV analyst for high school and college football and basketball games.
● Co-hosts weekly radio show.
● Co-hosted weekly TV sports show.

Professional Honors/Awards:
● Heisman Trophy voter (15 years).
● American Press Institute attendee.
● Society of Professional Journalists member.
● Colorado Press Association member.

Multiple Awards for Press Coverage:
● Colorado Press Association.
● Colorado Associated Press Editors and Reporters.
● Arizona Press Association.
● Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE, national)
● Southern Colorado Press Club "Media Member of the Year".
● Founding member: Rocky Mountain Golf Writers Association.
● 10-time winner "Best of Pueblo" as Sports Reporter or Columnist.

Publication Portfolio:
● USA Today
● Los Angeles Times
● Denver Post
● Rocky Mountain News
● Pueblo Chieftain
● San Diego Union-Tribune
● Gannett News Services
● Loveland Reporter-Herald
● Longmont Times-Call
● Fort Collins Coloradoan
● Greeley Tribune
● Boulder Daily Camera
● Grand Junction Daily Sentinel
● Colorado AVID Golfer
● STATE Magazine

Affiliations/Achievements/Related Activities:
● Member: RMPBS Community Advisory Committee (Southern Colorado).
● Member: Pueblo Rotary No. 43.
● Member: Southern Colorado Press Club.
● Board member: Pueblo Italian Golf.
● Past board member: Runyon Field.
● Past board member: Roselawn Cemetery.
● Past board member: El Pueblo ... An Adolescent Treatment Community.
● Past member: PCS D60 Task Force.
● Past board member: Okolitza Tamburitzans.
● Former youth coach: Runyon, YMCA, etc.

Personal:
Has lived in Pueblo for 50-plus years... Married to Lynn... Has three children: Tori (Steve Starcer); Julianna (James Wyatt); and Geno (Meagan Cosby).

Year Inducted: 1973
Nominated By: Unknown
Sports Competed In: Basketball
Athlete, Coach or Contributor: Athlete

Cal Tatum is the all-time leading scorer in the history of CSU Pueblo basketball. The 6-1 guard scored 2,143 points (106 games, 20.2) on average. A four-season starter for the then-Indians, Tatum's career points rank as the eighth-best scoring total in the history of collegiate basketball in the state of Colorado.
As an inaugural member of the Athletics Hall of Fame class at CSU Pueblo in 2009, Tatum was the sixth and final member of the Muskegon 6 that played at then-Southern Colorado State College from its first four-year campaign in 1963-1964 through 1972-1973.

Playing before the 3-point shot in college basketball, Tatum earned 1973 All-American recognition by Basketball Weekly (first team), the National Association of Basketball Coaches (second), United Press International (second), and the Associated Press (fourth).

A four-time all-league player for SCSC, Tatum was the conference's top player as both a junior and senior. In leading the Indians to the "elite eight" in the 1972 NCAA Division II Championships, Tatum was the most valuable player in the 1972 West Regionals at Massari Gym where SCSC defeated UC Irvine and Seattle Pacific for the title.

In his final season (1972-1973) with SCSC, Tatum averaged 25.1 points (703, 28 games) a game, leading the Indians to their second-straight NCAA Division II Championships. Tatum is one of only 15 players in the history of college basketball in the state of Colorado to score over 700 points in a single season.

Despite his size and playing as a guard, Tatum still ranks as the fifth-leading rebounder in CSU Pueblo history with 804 (7.6 average). In leading the Indians in scoring four straight seasons, Tatum made nearly 48 percent of his shots from the field (856 of 1,786) and 78 percent of his free throws (431 of 552). He also averaged 2.4 assists per game.

As mentioned, Tatum came from basketball-rich Michigan, where he made his mark at Muskegon High School in the late 1960s with his combination of speed, ball handling, jumping, and remarkable long-range shooting. “For his size, I’ve never seen an athlete who is so proficient in so many phases of the game,” said then-Muskegon coach Mike Murphy after Tatum earned Class A all-state honors in 1969.

Tatum averaged 22.4 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, and four steals per game in his senior year to earn first-team all-state honors. He was fourth-team all-state as a sophomore and second-team all-state as a junior. He graduated as the Big Reds’ all-time leading scorer with 1,250 points and a career average of 22.7 points per game.

Drafted in the first round by the Carolina Cougars of the American Basketball Association in May 1973, Tatum was traded to Denver and played in the pre-season for the Rockets. After his playing days, Tatum worked in the federal government in the San Francisco-Oakland area.

In a July 2006 article in the Pueblo Chieftain, three Greater Pueblo Sports Hall of Famers rated Tatum among the city's all-time bests. Longtime Chieftain sportswriter Dave Socier felt that “Tatum was 10 to 15 years ahead of his time, as far as how he played the game and how athletic he was. I've never heard anybody say he wasn't really, really good." Norm Colglazier said Tatum was "extremely athletic; he could jump out of the gym, hang in the air." Jim Ranson added that "Cal Tatum was as good as ever came out of Pueblo."