Luther J. Nava


Year Inducted: 1983
Nominated By: Brian Macartney
Sports Competed In: Basketball, Football
Athlete, Coach or Contributor: Athlete, Coach

Ralph Lindsey

Before High School:
● Attended Freed Junior H.S., where he played football (halfback) and basketball (forward) and won the city championship.
● Also competed in track (220-yard dash/broad jump) where he was the city champion in both events.
● Member of the student council.

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

Achievements:
High School:
● Earned nine letters (three each) playing football, baseball and basketball for the Bulldogs.
● Two-time All-City quarterback (1962-63) and All-Conference (playing both offense and defense).
● Earned co-captain and honorable mention All-American while helping his team to conference championship and state runner-up.
● Selected to The Denver Post All-Star Team and All-State.
● Helped the Bulldogs to the city basketball championship and state consolation championship.
● Leading batter on the Bulldogs baseball team.
● Two-time All-Conference (1963-64) player leading Pueblo Centennial to the South-Central League baseball championship.

College
Went to Adams State College in Alamosa, CO where he graduated in 1969.

Achievements:
College:
Played one year of football and four years of baseball (earning four letters) and posting a career .330 batting average for the Grizzlies.

Related Activities:
● Played fast pitch softball for 18 years manning 2nd base for the Pepsi Cola team that earned local, state and national reputation.
● Four-time All-State selection at 2nd base.

Coaching Career:
● Assistant football coach for 10 years (three years at Keating Junior High (KJH), five years at Pueblo Central and two more at Pueblo Centennial.
● Served 12 years as an assistant basketball coach at Pueblo Central then as the head coach for two season.
● Led the Pueblo Centennial girls basketball team to a second place in the district tournament and a state qualifying berth.
● Also coached the boys wrestling team at KJH for a season.
● Worked as an assistant track coach for two seasons at Pueblo Central.

Professional Affiliation:
Currently a sponsor of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes program.

Occupation:
Teacher and coach in School District #60 at Pueblo Centennial H.S.

Personal:
Lives in Pueblo with his wife Rita.


GPSA "N" By The Numbers

LEGEND: p = awarded posthumously; ^= attended first meeting; * = deceased;+ = charter member (placed after year inducted)

1
Athlete
David "Dave" Netherton (2005)

Athlete/Coach
Luther J. Nava (1983)

Attended First Meeting
David J. "Dave" Novak (1980*>)

Attended Pueblo Central H.S.
David J. "Dave" Novak (1980*>)

Attended Pueblo Centennial H.S.
Luther J. Nava (1983)

Attended Pueblo East H.S.
David "Dave" Netherton (2005)

Attended H.S. Inside Colorado
Tony Niccoli, Jr. (1973+*p)
Trinidad H.S., Trinidad, CO

Attended H.S. Outside Colorado
George A. "Newt" Newton (1984*p)
In Illinois

Charter Inductee
Tony Niccoli, Jr. (1973+*p)

Charter Inductee
Tony Niccoli, Jr. (1973+*p)

Coach/Contributor/Official
David J. "Dave" Novak (1980*>)

Contributor
George A. "Newt" Newton (1984*p)

Football
Luther J. Nava (1983)

Official
Tony Niccoli, Jr. (1973+*p)

2 
Basketball
David "Dave" Netherton (2005)
Luther J. Nava (1983)

AHonorees Awarded Posthumously
George A. Newton (1984*p)
Tony Niccoli, Jr. (1973+*p)

 

3
Honorees Deceased
JGeorge A. "Newt" Newton (1984*p)
David J. "Dave" Novak (1980*>)
Tony Niccoli, Jr. (1973+*p )

5
Honorees in "N" Section

 

REMEMBERING OUR FALLEN GPSA INDUCTEES

The Greater Pueblo Sports Association (GPSA) has announced a list of honorees that have passed since the 2023 induction ceremony on Nov. 15.

 

 

Daniel RosalesDaniel
Rosales

12/13/2023
Class of 2002

Everett C. ThalhamerEverett C.
Thalhamer

12/23/2023
Class of 2014

Bob GrahamBobby Max
Graham

02/26/2024
Class of 1990

Joe BonaquistaJoe
Bonaquista

07/16/2024
Class of 1977