Recently, the Mayor and City Council unveiled the names of the 2007 inductees to the Sports Wall of Fame. The permanent display at the Ralph M. Lewis Sports Complex at 6398

Citrus Avenue, showcases plaques of honored teams and individuals who have made a significant difference in Fontana and in many cases, American sports history. The names that are forever remembered on the Wall of Fame are of teams, coaches, administrators and athletes who inspire future generations of sports enthusiasts to do their best as athletes and as individuals.

Nominations for teams, coaches, administrators or athletes for the Wall of Fame are accepted from April to June. Nominating criteria and information about the Wall of Fame applications are available beginning early April at www.fontanarecreation.org or through Community Centers and the Chamber of

Commerce. Reminders are usually sent out through the press, on the City website, and through KFON, Cable Channel 3. There are several criteria outlines for applications for teams, coaches, administrators and athletes. Citizens who are planning to send an application should make sure to take note of any media sources that will be used as a verification by the nominating committee.

Once the application packages have been received, the nominations are reviewed and forwarded to the judges. According to program coordinator

Jason Hendrix, "The city staff gathers the information and sends the reports to the Parks and Recreation Commissioners, who then vote on the nominees and send their results to City Council. The City Council reviews the recommendations and makes the final vote." Hendrix adds, "To date, the City Council has always voted in favor of the Commissioners recommendations."

This year, two teams were selected for the Wall of Fame: the 1989 Fontana High School Football Team, which finished the season ranked number one in the State of California and number two in the United States; and the 2006/2007 Fontana A.B. Miller High School Girls Basketball Team, who were the Division 2 AA CIF Southern Section Champions and Division 1 State Regional Finalists.

Coaches for teams obviously deserve a lot of credit for their work. The four coaches selected were Mel Wilkins, the girl's basketball coach at A.B. Miller High School and four-time Coach of the Year; Joe Garcia, Assistant Coach at Fontana Pop Warner with a coaching record of thirty-five consecutive years; David Blair, a Fontana Karate instructor for twenty-five years; and Evelyn Vance, first ever female Athletic Director at Fontana High School and a coach for over twenty-four years in the Fontana Unified School District.

Through their work in schools and clubs, administrators are able to positively impact the entire sports experience for many athletic youth.

Two Administrators were celebrated on the Wall of Fame: Alice Griffith served in a number of roles as a Fontana Boys Baseball volunteer for over twenty years; and Bob Bollinger, the founder of Fontana AYSO and Shamrock Soccer Club which was the first soccer club in the city. Bollinger also served two terms on the Fontana Parks and Recreation Commission.

Thanks to the hard work and dedication of the teams, coaches, and administrators some athletes are able to tap into their true callings and rise above others.

Four athletes have been elected for the Wall of Fame: Ante Razov, graduate of Fontana High School and current professional soccer player with Chivas Soccer Team; Alexis Serna, graduate of A.B. Miller High School and current Oregon State University Place-kicker; Maurice Edu, Jr., Fontana athlete and professional soccer player with Toronto Football Club; and Veronica Wootson, graduate of A.B. Miller High School and current member of the Akron Racers professional fast pitch softball team.

To find out more about the Sports Wall of Fame please contact Community Services at (909) 350-6540 or visit online at www.fontanarecreation.org. To view the display, please visit the Ralph M. Lewis Sports Complex at 6398 Citrus Avenue.