Year Inducted: 2023
Nominated By: Dave Dudley
Sports Competed In: Basketball, Football 
Athlete, Coach or Contributor: Athlete, Contributor

Kory Sperry

High School:
Attended Pueblo County High School (2000-04).

Achievements:
High School:
● Named All-Colorado (Denver Post/Rocky Mountain News).
● First-team All-State.
● Two-time All-Conference selection.
● All-State honoree in basketball.
● Recruited to play Division I basketball.
● Honor Roll student who carried a 3.67 GPA.
● Gold cord graduate.
● GPSA "Athlete-of-the-Year" (2004).

College:
Attended Colorado State University-Ft. Collins (2004-08)...Played football for the Rams and lettered all four years.

Achievements:
College:
● All-Mountain West Conference (MWC) Honorable Mention (42 catches 547 yds and four TDs).
● MWC Honorable Mention All-Conference.
● The Sporting News 2nd team Preseason All-Mountain West Conference (by lindy (apos) and athlon.
● Named the 19th best tight end in the nation by The Sporting News.
● Two-time recipient of the John Mackey Award as nations top tight end for the week
● 2nd Team All-MWC choice.
● Tied for first in most touchdowns in a season (2008) by a tight end (6).
● Ranks second in receiving yards by a tight end (1,763).
● Tied for second most touchdowns in one game (3).
● Ranks third in receiving touchdowns by a tight end (141).
● Ranks third for most touchdowns in a season (2006) by a tight end (5).
● Tied for fourth in CSU history in career touchdown receptions (20).
● Tied for fourth in most touchdowns in a season (2005) by a tight end (4).
● Ranks 1st on the Rams all-time career TD receptions list (20).
● Played in the All-Star game Texas vs nation.

Professional Football:
● Undrafted Free Agent to the Miami Dolphins (2009).
● Played with the San Diego Chargers (2010-11) and the Arizona Cardinals (2012-13).

Contributions:
● Member of the Broomfield Police Academy and awarded the "Top Shot".
● Police officer in Broomfield, CO (2015-Present).
● Swat Breacher (2015-22).
● Instructor for women's self-defense class.
● Skilled driving instructor for new officers.

Related Activities:
● Continues to coach youth football and basketball.

Personal:
Sperry was a Pueblo resident for 18 years... Currently resides in Longmont, CO with his wife Judi, and their two children, Duke and Porter.

Year Inducted: 2023
Nominated By: Terry Sanchez (brother)
Sports Competed In: Baseball, Basketball, Football 
Athlete, Coach or Contributor: Coach

Dan Sanchez

High School:
Three-sport star at Trinidad High School (1990-93)...Played four years of football (QB/RB), basketball (guard) and baseball (CF) for the Miners (1990-93).

Achievements:
High School:
Named All-State Football and Baseball (1992-93).

College:
Attended Trinidad State College playing baseball for the Trojans from 1994-95.

Coaching Career:
● Assistant Baseball Coach at Trinidad State College (1998-2001).
● Head Baseball Coach Pueblo West High School (PWHS).
● Head Boys Golf Coach (PWHS).

Achievements:
Baseball Coach:
● Two-Time 4A CHSAA Baseball "Coach-of-the-Year."
● Colorado State Baseball Champion (2019)
● All Sport Colorado "Coach-of-the-Year" (2019).
● Eight-Time "Coach-of-the-Year" for the South-Central League (S-CL).
● Won 10 League Championships.
● Won six Regional Championships.
● Made four State Championship Appearances.
● Appeared in two Regional Championship games in first two years of 5A (2021 and 2022).
● Coached Baseball All-Star Team (2019).
● Ranks second in all-time wins in Pueblo High School Baseball history (over 221 wins).
● Sent approximately 60 student Athletes to play college baseball.
● Coached five players who went on to play Division I.
● One player (RJ Dabovich) was drafted by Major League Baseball and currently playing in Triple A.

Football Coach:
● Served as the Offensive Coordinator for 2007 State Championship Football Team (Head coach Monte Pinkerton).
● Worked for 10 Years as an Assistant Football Coach with the Cyclones.

Golf Coach:
● Finished runner-up at the 4A Colorado High School Golf Championships (2019).
● Won five S-CL Golf Championships and two Regional Golf titles.

Basketball Coach:
● Served for two seasons as the Girls Assistant Basketball Coach to help with transition during head coaching change.

Contributions:
● Dean of Students Pueblo West High School for five years.
● Gave a presentation at the Colorado Baseball Coaches' Clinic (2020).
● Spearheaded rebuilding baseball facilities at PWHS (added infield turf, new outfield fence, dugouts along with an indoor baseball/softball facility).
● Coached four different sports at PWHS.
● Director of Summer Youth Baseball for the cities of Center and Monte Vista (1995-96).

Professional Affiliations:
● Regional Representative - Colorado Dugout Club.
● Member of the Colorado High School Coaches Association (CHSCA).
● Member of the Colorado Education Association (CEA).

Personal:
Dan has lived in Pueblo West for 22 years and is married to his wife Jennifer. 

Year Inducted: 2023
Nominated By: Pat Laughlin
Sports Competed In: Baseball, Football, Track
Athlete, Coach or Contributor: Athlete, Coach

John Loia

High School:
A 1969 graduate of Morristown High School, in Morristown NJ...Played baseball, football and track.

College:
Attended Southern Colorado State College (SCSC) where he was a sprinter on the track team (three years) and running back on the Indians football team (two years).

Achievements:
College:
● Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) Champions 4x440 relay (1973).

Achievements:
Track Coach:
● Head Boys Track Coach at Central High School (1982-1987).
● City Champions, Regional Champions, Centennial Invitational Champions, Hornet Invitational Champions (1984).
● Qualified 19 Individuals for State.
● Coached State Champion (Charles Puga) to shot put title in 1985.
● Coached 30 All-State athletes during his career.

Achievements:
Football Coach:
● Head Football Coach at Central High School (1984-1993).
● Runner up in South-Central League (S-CL) with a 7-3 record; Qualified for State Playoffs (1987).
● Co-S-CL League Champions (7-3 record); Qualified for State Playoffs (1988).
● Three-time winner of the Bell Game (1985, 1988, 1990).

Contributions:
● Established the "Ray Brunjack" 110% Award: The Scholarship is given to a Senior Football Player voted by the coaches. The Scholarship goes toward college expenses.
● Chosen as High School Administrator "Hero-of-the-Week" for outstanding leadership contributions to your school and community, excelling in activities around athletics,               speech, and leadership in the classroom.
● S-CL Representative for the state playoff seeding in football.
● Member of Central Foundation.
● Speaker of S-CL Fundamentals of "Trap Play".
● Keynote Speaker Central Athletic Banquet.
● Named "Colorado Athletic-Director-of-the-Week" by 850 KRDO Radio Denver Bronco and the Colorado High School Activities Association.

Related Activities:
● Came out of retirement to continue to support and shine a light on the youth of the Pueblo community by contributing to Roncalli STEM Academy (2013-2020) and Risley              International Academy of Innovation (2020-current).
● Consultant to Behavior Intervention (2013-present).
● Assistant Principal/Athletic Director East High School (2007-08).
● Assistant Principal/Athletic Director Central High School (1998-2007).
● Assistant Principal/Athletic Director East High School (1995-1998).
● Physical Education and Health Teacher Central High School (1974-1994).

Personal:
John has lived in Pueblo for 56 years with his wife Cindy.

Year Inducted: 2023
Nominated By: Martha Nogare (colleague)
Sports Competed In: Baseball, Basketball
Athlete, Coach or Contributor: Coach

Casey King

High School:
Attended John Mall H.S. in Walsenburg (Class of 1990)...Played both basketball and baseball for the Panthers.

College:
Attended Mesa State College in Grand Junction, CO...Played baseball for the Mavericks.

Coaching Career:
PWHS Volleyball Coach:
● Started coaching career at Holly H.S. (1995-97)
● Spent two seasons as Head Basketball Coach and Assistant Baseball Coach.
● Spent one year each as the Volleyball Coach at Holly Jr. High and Holly H.S.
● Moved to Pueblo West High School (1997-current)
● Coached the Cyclones Volleyball program for 22 seasons
● PWHS Baseball Coach for four seasons (1997-00).
● Spent three years as an Asst. Girls Basketball Coach (1997-99).
● Led the Cyclones girls basketball team for one season as head coach (2000).
● Spent nine years as both a volunteer volleyball (2010-2018) and baseball (2013-2021) coach.

Achievements:
PWHS Volleyball Coach:
● Record: 426 - 119  (78% Win Percentage).
● Winningest coach in PWHS History.
● Ranked in the top 10 for most wins of all-time among volleyball coaches in Colorado.
● Captured first win for any sport at PWHS: Volleyball vs Florence H.S. (2000)
● Captured first League Championship for any sport at PWHS: Volleyball, 2000 South-Central League (S-CL) Champions.
● Became the first team sport at PWHS to attend and win a state tournament game.
● Longest serving coach at PWHS.
● Colorado 4A "Coach-of-the-Year" (2002).
● Four-time S-CL "Coach-of-the-Year" (award started in 2013): 2015, 2017, 2021, 2023.
● Won 19 South Central League Championships.
● Won five District Championships.
● Made 22 Regional Appearances.
● Won seven Regional Championships.
● Appeared 11 times in the Colorado State Volleyball Tournament.
● Two-time CHSCA All-State Coach (2002, 2019).
● CCGS All-State Coach (2021).
● Earned the CHSCA Level 4 Coaches Award in 2023 (for 360+ wins).
● Ranked in the top 8 for wins for all high school volleyball coaches in the state of Colorado.
● Coached 30 All-State athletes during his career

PWHS volleyball players coached by King that have played at the next level:
The following athletes were one or more of the following: all-state, national champions, college athletes): ·
Cara Dunsmoor, Caroline Ottino, Lauren Dunsmoor, Marie Ottino, Mallory Deenen, Brittany Mabb, Brittany Johnson, Kenzie Shippy, Rachel Ratzlaff, Allegra Shippy, Matti Dabovich, Jayde Vujich, Ariana Alberici, Santana Mestas, MaLeigha Menegatti, Taylor Hogan, Brilane Manchego, Emily Hanenberg, Olivia Sherman, Raegen Emery, Taylor Skoglund, Kate Gallery, Bella Adams, Kenzie King, Kacee Garcia, and Michaella Gallina.

Contributions:
● S-CL Volleyball All Conference Organizer/Leader: 20+ years.
● CHSAA Volleyball Committee Member: multiple years.
● CHSCA and CCGS Voting Member: 20+ years.
● PWHS Assistant Principal: three years.
● Cedar Ridge Elementary Principal: three years.
● Pueblo District #70 TOSA and Assessment Director: eight years.
● King helped open Pueblo West High School in 1997 and taught P.E., Weightlifting, Lifetime Sports, and Adaptive P.E. for 11 years (1997-2008).
● Spent two years as a physical education teacher at Skyview Middle School in Pueblo West.
● K-12 Physical Education Teacher at Holly, Colorado: two years (1995-1997).
● Earned "25 Years-of-Service-Award" from Pueblo County School District #70 in 2021.

Affiliations/Achievements:
● During the 2022 volleyball season, Coach King's team earned his 400th Varsity volleyball win.
● Earned Level 4 Achievement Award from CHSCA (2023).

Related Activities:
● Still coaching the PWHS volleyball program and is still a member of all listed coaches associations.
● Opened a hitting facility for local baseball teams and players to use since those facilities are limited in Pueblo.

Personal:
Casey was born in Walsenburg, CO...Has lived in Pueblo West for 26 years with his wife Renee, and their three kids, Colby, Kenzie and Logan.

Year Inducted: 2023
Nominated By: Laura Kelly (wife)
Sports Competed In: Baseball, Basketball, Football
Athlete, Coach or Contributor: Athlete, Contributor

Todd Kelly

High School:
Attended Pueblo Centennial High School (1981-84)...Two-time letter winner in football (tight end, strong safety), basketball and baseball (played catcher, first, second, third and outfield).

Achievements:
High School (Football):
● Two-year started as tight end and strong safety
● Two-time AII-SCL (once as TE, once as DB)
● Named All-City (DB)
● Voted by players to be team captain
● Career totals: Caught 23 passes for 564 yards and three TD's
● Recorded five interceptions and 23 tackles
● Helped team to South Central League Co-Championship (1983)
● Earned state berth in 1983 (first state appearance for Centennial in 20 years).

High School (Baseball):
● Two-year starter, playing catcher, first, second, third and outfield.
● Hit .389 as a senior with 21 RBl's.

High School (Basketball):
● Two-year starter for the Bulldogs.
● Career totals: Scored 178 points with 78 rebounds and 32 assists and 28 steals
● Helped team in 1983 SCL championship and a berth in 1983 state tournament.
● Served as team captain senior year.

Minor League Football:
Member of the Pueblo Crusaders:
● Played as defensive back (both cornerback and free safety) and special teams.
● Played for three years, recording nine interceptions, five fumble recoveries and two touchdowns.
● Recovered on-side in MLFS National Championship game to secure the win.

Achievements:
CSU Pueblo (Sports Information Director):
● Earned 18 citations for excellence in publications by College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).
● Served a communication director for the 1994 & 1998 NCAA 11 National Wrestling Championships.
● Also served as communication director for the 1994 and 1996 NCAA Division II Regional Baseball Tournament, and the 1998 NCAA Division II Regional Softball Championships.
● Served as a media relations assistant at the 1995 US Olympic Sports Festival.
● Served on the media relations staff for three NCAA Division I Basketball Regional tournaments.

CSU Pueblo Associate AD:
● Named the 2009 NACDA National College Division "Fundraiser-of-the-Year."
● Helped raise over $24 million (including Friends of Football) for CSU Pueblo athletics.
● Initiated programs like ThunderGals (a women's only booster club), the ThunderPups, the Lobster Bake and the Akela/Board of Directors Club.
● A founding member of the CSU Pueblo Athletic Hall of Fame committee.

Contributions:
● Served as director of the CHSAA 6-man, 8-man, 1A, 2A and 3A State Football Championship games in 2021 and 2022.
● Negotiated with CHSAA on a new five-year contract to keep 6-man, 8-man, 1A & 2A football championship games in Pueblo until 2028.
● Served on the national publication committee for CoSIDA.

Affiliations/Achievements:
● CoSIDA, the National Association of College Marketing Directors.
● Rocky Mountain Athletic Communications Association.
● NCAA Division II Women's Soccer Regional Committee.
● RMAC Sports Information Directors Association.
● Member of Centennial High School Hall of Fame committee.
● Member of the Centennial High School Athletic Hall of Fame.
● Won the "Media Excellence Award" from the Southern Colorado Press Club (2000).
● Won the "Development Director-of-the-Year" from the Southern Colorado Press Club (2017).

Personal:
Todd and his wife Laura are life-long residents of Pueblo (57 years)...They have two grown children, Trent and Jillian.

Year Inducted: 2023
Nominated By: Patsy Cresswell (wife)
Sports Competed In: Basketball, Football
Athlete, Coach or Contributor: Athlete, Coach, Contributor

Dale Cresswell

High School:
Attended Artesia High School, in Artesia, NM (1978-81)...Played both football and basketball for the Bulldogs.

Achievements:
High School (Football):
● Three-year letterwinner.
● Two-time State Champions during sophomore and senior years (1978 and 1980).
● Was 13-1 in 1980-81 (senior year). Won 13 straight.
● All-Conference (1980-81).
● 1st team All-State (1981).
● Set School record for tackles in a singles season (1981).

High School (Basketball):
● Two-year letterwinner.
● Conference Champions (1981).

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

Achievements:
College:
● Three-year lettermen.
● Three year starter at outside linebacker (OLB).
● Three-time All-Conference selection.
● Starter on the first football team to reach the playoffs.
● Team leader in tackles (1984).
● Honorable-Mention All-American (1984).

Minor League Football:
● Played with the Pueblo Crusaders (1986-89) in Minor League Football System (MLFS).
● Career leader in interceptions and fumble recoveries.
● Key member of MLFS National Championship team (1989).
● MLFS "Player-of-the-Year" (1988).

Coaching Career:
Pueblo East H.S. (1990-97):
● Helped the team amass a 41-33 record.
● Defensive coordinator for first Eagle team to win a state playoff game.
● Member of staff that guided Pueblo East to three consecutive state playoff appearances (1994-1996).

CSU Pueblo (2008-19):
● Worked with the Thunderwolves football program as assistant Linebacker coach.
● Helped team to a 119-28 career record.
● Played key role in starting the national caliber program.
● Member of the NCAA II National Champions (2014).
● Coached All-Americans Lee Meisner, Kyle Rosenbrock, Ben Estica, Braydon Payer, Morgan Fox and Chase Vaughn (Fox and Vaughn are still playing in the NFL).

Contributions:
● Original member of Friends of Football (2007-present).

Honors:
● Elected team captain of state championship football team (1981).
● Selected team captain of the USC Indians (1984).

Affiliations/Achievements:
● Football coach for eight (8) years at Pueblo East HS.
● Division II football coach for eleven (11) years at CSU Pueblo.

Personal:
A life-long Pueblo resident (42 years), Dale was born in Couvron Aisen, France... Lives with his wife, Patsy in the county.

Year Inducted: 2007 (p)
Nominated By: Denton Stilson
Sports Competed In: Football, Wrestling
Athlete, Coach or Contributor: Athlete

Sam Clay

High School:
Attended Pueblo South H.S., beginning in 1959 and graduating in 1962.

Achievements:
High School:
● Lettered three years playing football (linebacker).
● Set a Colts football school record with 103 tackles, over double the number of any of his other teammates.
● Led the team in tackles his junior and senior years.
● In one game was credited with 15 tackles in a losing effort.
● Also a three-year letterman in wrestling.
● Undefeated his senior season on the Colts wrestling team.
● Broke his hand near the end of the season and was unable to wrestle in the state tournament.

College:
Recruited Pueblo Junior College (PJC) in the Fall of 1962, which became Southern Colorado State College (SCSC) in 1963.
A member of the National Honor Society who enjoyed great academic success not only at SCSC but in his studies thereafter.

Achievements:
College:
● Played for Head Coach Joe Prater.
● Inserted into the starting football lineup as a freshman.
● Second on the team in tackles his freshman year with 96, only behind Bob Busia (who had over a 100).
● Had over 100 tackles all three of those seasons while also playing most of the time on offense.
● Led the team in tackles during the first three years of the football team's existence.
● Started both ways on the football team: as the monster or roving linebacker on defense and as guard on offense.
● Also an integral part of special teams, beoming the all-time punt blocker with seven in his three years at SCSC (a record that may still stand).
● Selected to the First Team All-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Football Team.
● Many coaches felt that he was one of the best linebackers to ever play at Southern Colorado University.
● School President as well as defensive captain all four years on the football team.
● Graduated with athletic and academic honors.

Football Side Note:
● A powerful supporter of the team off the field as well. Coach Prater required each player take a coat and tie on trips and all players evidently did not possess those items. Sam would get them a loan or a charge account at a clothing store and make sure they had the required coat and tie.

Honors:
● During high school and college, he was always in the top ten students of his class (both H.S. and college).
● Served as President of the Student Government at South High and SCSC proving that his leadership extended beyond the football field.
● Offered an athletic scholarship to the United States Air Academy.
● Received his appointment to the Academy from the Colorado State Congressional Representative.
● Could not pass the physical because he was color blind. This was one of his greatest disappointments.

Related Activities:
● Four-time National Coaches Association (NCA) Idaho “Coach-of-the-Year” (1996, 1997, 2000, 2008)
● Two-time Northwest "Coach-of-the-Year" (1997, 2008).
● Inducted into The National Wrestling Hall of Fame, Idaho Chapter (2003).
● Idaho Distinguished "Coach-of-the-Year" (2000).
● Appointed to Idaho Falls City Parks and Recreation Board (2001).
● National High School "Coach-of-the-Year"; First Runner-Up. USA Wrestling Magazine (1997).
● Served as President & Treasurer of National Wrestling Hall Of Fame, Idaho Chapter (2018-2020).

Related Activities:
● Established the varsity alumni game which was a great fundraiser for the college (alumni vs. varsity football game).
● Coached and played in the Alumni game about 15-16 years before he quit playing
● Became an outstanding faculty member at Colorado State University.
● Also an outstanding racquetball player -- one of the top ten players in the City of Pueblo.
● Played racquetball three weeks before he died.

Professional Affiliations:
● Served as the Dean of Men at Hiram Scott College in Scottsbluff, NE.
● Came back to SCSC and joined the Psychology Department.

Personal:
Lived in Pueblo for 60 years... Passed away on April 13, 2007.

Year Inducted: 2022
Nominated By: Gary Adamson
Sports Competed In: Cross Country, Football, Wrestling
Athlete, Coach or Contributor: Athlete

Cliff Laughlin

High School:
Attended Pueblo East H.S., graduating in 1975.

Achievements:
High School:
Played on the Eagles football team (running back) and was a member of the wrestling squad for three years. Ran cross country.

College:
Attended the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) in Greeley, CO...Graduated in 1980 with a B.A. in Physical Education.

Achievements:
College:
Member of the UNC Bears wrestling team.

Coaching Career:
● Started at Highlands High School in Denver, CO (1980-82).
● Coached wrestling for 23 years at Idaho Falls, ID (1982-2005).
● Concluded coaching career at Mount View H.S., Meridan, ID (2005-13).

Achievements:
Coaching:
● Member of the USA Olympic Freestyle Coaching Staff, Atlanta, GA (1996). Over 300 dual meet victories recognized by National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA).
● Coached 33 State Champions and 96 State Place winners.
● Coached the first ever four-time state champion, Chris Owens, in the state of Idaho who later went on to All-American status at Oklahoma State University.
● Clinic Technician Wrestling Camps for 40 years (1980-2020).
● Team won both the Academic and State Wrestling Championship; First team in Idaho history to accomplish this feat (2008).
● Coached State Championship High School Teams (1997, 1998, 2008).
● Coached at Pan American Championships held in Guatemala City, Guatemala (2005).
● Coached the University World Team Coach, Edmonton, Canada (2002).
● National Team Head Coach, Beijing, China (2002).
● USA Wrestling Coaching Staff, Olympic Training Camp (2000).
● Team ended the season ranked 4th in the nation, Highest finish of any sports team in Idaho history. Highest Ranking of any public school (1998) -- Amateur Wrestling News (AWN).
● USA National Wrestling Team Coach, Moscow, Russia (1998).
● Montana State Coaches Clinic Clinician (1998).
● Team ended the season ranked 11th in the nation in Amateur Wrestling News (1997).
● Camp Director who organized Olympian Wrestlers to Pueblo East High School for wrestling clinic (1996).
● Olympic Sport Festival Team Coach (1993).
● Coached USA vs USSR Senior Olympic Challenge (1992).
● USA Wrestling Gold Level Certified Coaching Staff (1992).
● World Team Coach (cadets) Hungary and Canada (1991).
● NCAA Division 1 Coaches Clinic Clinician (1990).
● Coached Colorado National Team, Iowa City, Iowa (1980).

Honors:
● Four-time National Coaches Association (NCA) Idaho “Coach-of-the-Year” (1996, 1997, 2000, 2008)
● Two-time Northwest "Coach-of-the-Year" (1997, 2008).
● Inducted into The National Wrestling Hall of Fame, Idaho Chapter (2003).
● Idaho Distinguished "Coach-of-the-Year" (2000).
● Appointed to Idaho Falls City Parks and Recreation Board (2001).
● National High School "Coach-of-the-Year"; First Runner-Up. USA Wrestling Magazine (1997).
● Served as President & Treasurer of National Wrestling Hall Of Fame, Idaho Chapter (2018-2020).

Related Activities:
● Keynote Speaker for several wrestling organizations, banquets, hall of fames, coaches' clinics (2005-21).
● Organizes All-State team dual and selection in the state of Idaho.
● Wrestling Publication, Published "The Training Log, a Road to Success" (2002).
● While training athletes at the (OTC) Olympic Training Facility in Colorado Springs he would frequently bring Olympic caliber athletes to Pueblo and host camps and clinics for Pueblo's youth at no charge.
● A few of the athletes and coaches he brought to Pueblo included Olympic Head Coach Joe Seay, Olympic Champion Kenny Monday and bronze medalist Les Gutches to name a few.

Quotes:
Cliff brought out the best in his athletes over his 36 plus year coaching career. He was a master of motivation and a passion for the sport of wrestling were the keys to his success".
-- Pat Laughlin

Personal:
Lives in Boise, ID... Resident of Pueblo, CO for 24 years.