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.

Year Inducted: 2022
Nominated By: Jim Blanc
Sports Competed In: N/A
Athlete, Coach or Contributor: Contributor

Mike Salardino

College:
Attended Southern Colorado State College, graduating in 1973.

Achievements:
Media:
● Quickly became a well know member of the Pueblo's broadcasting world.
● Started his broadcasting career at local radio station KDZA AM/1230.
● Most popular disc jockey (DJ) in Pueblo and affectionately know as "The Fox".
● Worked as a DJ and then as sportscaster.
● Sports Director at KDZA radio for six years (1969-75).
● Moved to the television side of broadcasting as he was KOAA-TV Sports Director for four years (1973-77) and was a sportscaster from 1983-89.

Contributions:
● Hosted KDZA junior golf championship.
● Instituted road radio coverage of local high schools as well as initiating the first "coaches selected" all city football and basketball teams in Pueblo (this rivaled The Pueblo Chieftain staff selections).
● Member of the committee that founded the Greater Pueblo Sports Association (GPSA).

Professional Affiliations:
Served on many boards including:
● Pueblo Advocacy Center
● Pueblo Rape Crisis Center
● The Dante Alighieri Society
● Parkview Foundation
● The United Way Campaign Cabinet
● Colorado State Fair
● Sons of Italy of Southern Colorado
● Grand Lodge of Colorado
● Currently serves as the President of Rotary 43, and the St. John Catholic School Board
● Member of the Sister City Commission, United Way of Pueblo County Campaign Cabinet and the Broadway Theatre League

Honors:
Honored by the Pueblo community in many ways:
● Named Colorado Italian "American-of-the-Year," and the United Way "Volunteer-of-the-Year".
● Named "Citizen-of-the-Year" by the Pueblo Chamber of Commerce.
● Been inducted into many Hall of Fames throughout the City of Pueblo.
● Most sought out person to be the Master of Ceremonies (MC) for every type of activities.
● Worked as the MC for the GPSA since 2010 (11 years).
● Also been the MC for the CSU-Pueblo Sports Hall of Fame and the Pueblo Community College Hall of Fame.

Related Activities:
● General Manager of the Pueblo Olympia Brewers semi-pro baseball team (1973).
● Served on the Pueblo City Council from 1979 to 1990.
● Member of the Old Timers Baseball Association board of directors for 27 years (serving as President for five years).
● Charter member of the "Friends of Football" which restarted the CSU-Pueblo football program that developed into a national power in Division II classification.

Personal:
Born in Florence, CO...Has lived in Pueblo for 66 years.

Year Inducted: 2022 (p)
Nominated By: Ron DeLeon (colleague)
Sports Competed In: Rodeo
Athlete, Coach or Contributor: Athlete

Marie MassBefore High School:
Attended Elementary Grades 1-8 at Pinon School.

High School:
Attended Pueblo County H.S., and was a member of their first-ever graduating class.

Achievements:
High School:
Held the title of Queen of the Hornet's Rodeo Club.

College:
Attended Pueblo Junior College for two years (1959-61) and graduated with an AA degree...Continued her education at Colorado State University in Ft. Collins, CO, the following two years (1962-64).

Achievements:
College:
Member of the Intercollegiate Rodeo Club.

Achievements:
Rodeo:
● Learned to ride a horse at age eight, rounding up cattle and was deemed "that girl was born in the saddle".
● Started in rodeo at age 12.
● Excelled in barrel racing, goat tying, pole bending, and pairs (described as two competitors riding the same-colored horses, dressed identical, and competing in walk, trot and canter).
● Accomplished trick rider under the professional training of Dick Hammond.
● Little Britches Rodeo Queen (1958).
● Girl of the West- Pikes Peak Rodeo Queen (1958).
● Rodeo Queen of the Denver Western Stock Show (1961).
● Won the title of Miss Rodeo Colorado (Summer, 1961)
● Won the title of Miss Rodeo America in Las Vegas, NV (Dec. 1961).
● Named All-Around Champion Cowgirl at Colorado State University (1964).

Contributions:
During one-year reign as Miss Rodeo America, traveled 45,000 miles and appeared in 16 states as a role model for the sport of women's rodeo.

Professional Affiliations:
● Member of the Southern Colorado Horseman's Association.
● Member of the Pueblo Calf Roping Club.
● Member of the Pinon Horseman's Club.

Personal:
Lived in Sunland, CA (a suburb of Los Angeles)...Married Jerry Gatlin...Had two children, Maria Jo and Wade Joe...Passed away from cancer in July, 1995.

Year Inducted: 2022 
Nominated By: Paula M. Snook (wife)
Sports Competed In: Basketball, Football, Track
Athlete, Coach or Contributor: Athlete, Coach

LeRoy Snook

High School:
Attended Pueblo East H.S., graduating in 1964.

Achievements:
High School:
● Participated in three sports: Football, basketball, and track.
● Set school records in the long jump and in the 880yd run with the records standing for a number years.
● Became the first East High School Athlete to qualify for the state track meet.

Related Activities:
Played slow pitch softball after high school and played in three national tournaments.

Honors:
● Selected for his outstanding work as an official to officiate at eight Colorado High School Tournaments, including four Championship Games.
● Officiated two of Pueblo's biggest rivalry games - the Bell and Cannon games for numerous years.
● Also selected to officiate RMAC playoff games.
● Selected to officiate a prestigious game between the Chinese National Team and the Southern Colorado State College basketball in Pueblo.
● Recognized for his excellent work by being selected to officiate all classification's football championship games from 8-man to class 5A.
● Selected twice to officiate national collegiate playoff games.

Professional Affiliations:
● President of the Pueblo Basketball Official Study Group, reviewing and study rule changes and served on the Group's Executive Committee.
● Inducted into the State of Colorado Basketball Officials Hall of Fame IAABO in 1990.
● Member of the Colorado Football Officials Association (CFOA).
● Served as the executive secretary for the Pueblo Football Officials study groups for four years.
● Recognized in football as an official and leader when he was inducted into the State Colorado Officials Hall of Fame in 2002.

Occupations:
● Served as a basketball official for 20 years (1968-1988), as a member of the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials (IAABO)
● Officiated basketball in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC), junior colleges and the InterMountain District.
● Officiated football for 27 years (1971-1998).

Personal:
Life-long resident of Pueblo, CO...Married to his wife Paula, for 79 years.

Year Inducted: 2022 
Nominated By: Megan Storm and Kendra Case (daughters)
Sports Competed In: Baseball, Football
Athlete, Coach or Contributor: Athlete, Coach, Contributor

Michael J. Marcovecchio

High School:
Attended Pueblo Roncalli H.S., graduating in 1971.

Achievements:
High School:
● Played four years of football (quarterback, defensive back and tailback) and basketball (guard) for the Shamrocks.
● Played three seasons of baseball (third base and centerfield) and ran track (880 yd dash and the mile) for one season.
● Member of the Baseball American Legion State Champs (1970).
● Baseball Colorado High School State Champs. Batting Average .278. (1971).
● Earned All-City Team; All-SCL Team; All-State Tourney Team (1971).
● Senior year in football, ends up third in rushing in the southern league; 108 ATT, 439 yards, 4.1 average, 5 TD. (1971).
● Earned All-City honors (1971).

Achievements:
Professional Baseball:
Drafted by the Cincinnati Red of Major League Baseball upon graduating from high school.

Coaching Career:
● Coached football, baseball and golf at Pueblo County...No records kept on wins/losses.
● Coached baseball under Joe Andenucio. They had some success, playing in one regional tourney game.
● Volunteered to help coach, Don Egan, with the Hornets boys and girls golf teams.

Achievements:
Coaching:
● City Football Champions (1965)
● City Tournament Champions - basketball (1971).
● Players Coached: Nino Giarratano, Jeff Kurtz, Jerry Sisneros, Rich Pike, Rich Purcell.

Related Activities:
● Won the senior flight championship in golf at Elmwood (2003).
● Recorded five hole-in-one's playing golf.
● Plays golf in the summer, works basketball in the winter and as a softball umpire in the Summer and Fall.

Professional Affiliations:
● Basketball rules interpreter CHSAA.
● Instructor for veteran and new basketball officials.
● International Association of Approved Basketball Officials (IAABO); 20 years - present.
● Served on the Board of Directors at Runyon Field for 12 years (2009-22) - appointed by the County Commissioners.
● Served on the Board of Directors Pueblo Rural Fire District for 23 years (elected); 1994-2017.
● Committee Member Pueblo Italian Golf Tournament (scholarship to CSU-Pueblo for athletics); 18+ years - present.
● CHSAA and USA Softball Certified Umpire (2016-present).

Occupations:
● Started officiating basketball in 2002.
● Worked the 2A boys championship game at CSU-Pueblo in 2010.
● Worked the 5A boys Final at CU (2012).
● Continues to work basketball games for CHSAA; worked Region IX junior college ball (2004-17).

Quotes:
"We did not win many football games, mostly lack of skilled players, but never lacking heart or effort."
-- Mike Marcovecchio

"Mike Marcovecchio is a humble man, who continually strives to make those he comes in contact with have a better experience, whether that be as an official or umpire, President of the Runyon Field Board, or doing maintenance on the Hollydot Golf Course".
-- Dave Dudley

"Mike Marcovecchio has devoted his adult life to athletics and Pueblo, CO. Through his coaching, playing, officiating and participating in service organizations have proven him a vital asset to the community and young kids in Pueblo".
-- David Styduhar

Personal:
Life-long resident of Pueblo, CO... Married 49 years to Cindy Domenico.

Year Inducted: 2022 (p)
Nominated By: Walt Hime (son)
Sports Competed In: Baseball, Basketball
Athlete, Coach or Contributor: Athlete, Coach, Contributor

Richard "Dick" Hime

Before High School:
Attended Risley Middle School.

Achievements:
Risley Middle School:
● Gold Medal Champs in basketball in 1949 (Armory Gym - State Fairgrounds).
● Selected to the North Side All-Star Team at 2nd Base and pitcher playing Old Timers Baseball (1949-50).
● Baseball coach was Ed smith (1949-50) and John Griffin (1951).
● Finished runner-up MVP baseball race to Joe Puleo (1951).
● Won 50-yard dash, 2nd place in long jump, and shot put at the City Meet (1950).

High School:
Attended Pueblo Centennial H.S., graduating in 1955.

Achievements:
High School:
● Played four years of basketball at guard (1951-55) and two years of baseball in the infield (1953-54).
● Helped beat Central for City Tournament Championship in 1951.
● Under head coach Walt Clay in 1954, the team won the South-Central League (S-CL) and went to the state tournament.
● Selected to the S-CL All-Conference Team in 1955.
● Scored double figures (scored 20 points vs. La Junta and 19 points vs. Grand Junction).
● Recorded a batting average of .333 on the Bulldogs baseball team (1954).

College:
Attended Pueblo Junior College (PJC) for two years (1956-57) before transferring the Western State College (WSC) in Gunnison, CO, for the 1958-59 school year.

Achievements:
PJC Baseball:
Played baseball (infield and outfield), coached by Harry Simmons (1956) and Joe Torpe (1957). Led by pitcher Ford Young who signed with Dodgers.
PJC Basketball:
● Used as a 6th man and started several games in 1957.
● Member of the 1956 and 1957 NJCAA National Tournament Basketball teams that inducted as a group into the CSU-Pueblo Athletics Hall of Fame on Nov. 2, 2012.
● After breaking ground with a 24-7 season in 1956, the 31-7 1957 squad finished within a hair of the national title game, a loss to San Angelo (Tex.) College keeping the squad from a championship.
● Led by coach Simmons, the team won Empire Conference (1956-57).
● Finished 6th Place in Nationals in 1956 (led by Gene Poston).
● Finished 3rd Place in Nationals in 1957.
WSC Basketball:
Made All-Tournament team at Buena Vista Invitational (1959).

Coaching Career:
Coached Freshman football and basketball at Freed Junior High School.

Achievements:
Coaching:
● City Football Champions (1965).
● City Tournament Champions - basketball (1971).
● Players Coached: Nino Giarratano, Jeff Kurtz, Jerry Sisneros, Rich Pike, Rich Purcell.

Honors:
Served in the U.S. Army and Army Reserve.

Professional Affiliations:
● Pueblo Education Association
● Colorado Education Association
● National Education Association (lifetime member)
● Pueblo Coaches Association (formed in 1960)

Related Activities:
● Played in the City Basketball League (1961-1964).
● Made All-Tournament Team playing with the Knights of Columbus in the Greater Pueblo Tournament (1961).

Occupations:
● Physical Education teacher and coach at Freed Junior High for 33 years.
● Served his church community as a lay leader.

Quotes:
"Dick Hime has the whole package. He was a good athlete, a successful coach and a positive contributor to the Pueblo sports scene".
-- Dewie Thornton

Personal:
Lived in Pueblo for 83 years with his wife Shirley... Passed away Dec. 12, 2021.

Year Inducted: 2022
Nominated By: Dave Dudley (colleague)
Sports Competed In: Softball
Athlete, Coach or Contributor: Athlete, Coach, Contributor

Bob Bonner

Achievements:
Softball:
● Considered one of the best shortstops in the state of Colorado.
● Won six consecutive state softball titles and competed in six consecutive ISC World Tournaments.
● Overall, competed in 12 International Softball Congress (ISC) World Tournaments and two American Softball Association (ASA)
   World Tournaments.
● Member of team that set a ISC World Tournament record for most assist in one game (38) against Saginaw, Michigan, in 19 innings
   (Lost game 1-0. The record still stands today).
● Starting in 2013, played in the ISC AND USA 50 and over World Tournaments until 2018.
● Member of team that won the USA-ASA 50 and over Worlds Tournament (2018).
● Won numerous all tournament team awards, MVP awards, and all state awards.

Honors:
● All-State, All-Tourney, MVP in 20 different tournaments both in-state and out of state (1972-85).
● MVP of Rocky Mountain Travel League - some of the best teams in the state competed in (1976).
● Selected to play with the ISC all-world team against the world champion All American Bar in St. Paul. Minn. (1977).
● Inducted into the Pueblo Softball Hall of Fame (2010).
● Inducted into the ASA Colorado Softball Hall of Fame (2012).

Achievements:
Military Athletics:
● Played basketball for the San Diego Marines.
● While stationed overseas, played on the Southwest Pacific Marine All-Stars team that went undefeated.
● Also played for Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) post 61.

Professional Affiliations:
● International Association of Approved Basketball Officials (IAABO) Pueblo group of basketball officials.
● International Association of Approved Football Officials (IAAFO) Pueblo group of football officials.
● Coached high school softball for 14 years in Pueblo and Milford, OH.
● Officiated high school football and basketball in Pueblo for eight years.
● Assistant Softball Coach, Pueblo East High School (presently).

Quotes:

"Bob was an outstanding volunteer coach, so I knew he wasn't doing it for monetary purposes. I watched him teach the game of softball, and he also showed them how to be a class competitor. What stood out most as I watched Bob was his knowledge of the game, and his ability to communicate with the young kids. The grace and expertise he exhibited was not lost on the parents of the players either. I knew firsthand what they would say about him. They respected him when you can do that, you're special."
-- Charlie Manning, former youth sports program director Runyon Sports Complex.

Personal:
Lives in Pueblo (55 years)... Married to Nancy Coulson.