Tag Archives: honor

San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame announces Class of 2015

By North SA Chamber Editor
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SanAntonioSports_colorThe San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame has announced the Class of 2015.  Doug Moe, former San Antonio Spurs head coach from 1976-1980, Al LaMacchia, former Major League Baseball pitcher and scout, business leader and sports supporter Pat Frost, Lori Norwood, the only American to win a world championship in women’s modern pentathlon, and sports broadcaster Gary Delaune whose career has spanned five decades, will be recognized at the San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame Tribute on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2015 in the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center.

San Antonio resident Doug Moe served as head coach for the NBA San Antonio Spurs from 1976-1980, leading the Spurs to the conference finals in 1979.  He ranks second in the Spurs all-time record for number of wins (behind Gregg Popovich).  As head coach for Denver from 1980-90, Moe compiled a 432-357 record, leading the Nuggets to the post season nine straight years (two Midwest  division titles) and advancing to the Western Conference Finals in1985.  He was named NBA Coach of the Year in 1987-88, the same year as the Nuggets franchise record of 54 wins.   Moe was a two-time All American at the University of North Carolina and an ABA All-Star three times, with the Oakland Oaks, Carolina Cougars and Virginia Squires, in an injury-shortened five year professional playing career.

Al LaMacchia spent three seasons pitching for the San Antonio Missions, setting a Texas league record in 1942—which still stands—when he pitched a nine-inning game in 1:07.  He pitched in 16 games in the major leagues for the St. Louis Browns and Washing Senators from 1943-46.  Following his playing career, he became one of the most recognized scouts in baseball, working for Philadelphia, Atlanta, Toronto, Tampa Bay and Los Angeles.  During his 20 years with the Toronto Blue Jays, he helped build the World Series championship teams of 1992 and 1993.  He was named Midwest Region Scout of the Year in 2001. LaMacchia passed way in 2010 at his San Antonio home at the age of 89.

Pat Frost, president of Frost Bank, has long been one of the community’s strongest sports leaders and advocates. His impact is felt throughout San Antonio Sports, the Valero Alamo Bowl, the San Antonio Livestock Exhibition, the University of Texas, the Spurs Foundation and UTSA.  Far from being a figurehead, Frost has worked tirelessly behind the scenes with sports’ most prominent rights holders and national governing bodies to elevate the Alamo City as a true sports destination. Frost was chairman of the local organizing committee for the 2004 and 2008 NCAA Men’s Final Four, and is the current chair of the San Antonio Local Organizing Committee, a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization.

Frost’s role with San Antonio Sports dates back to 1987, including serving as chair from 1997-2000.  He has been involved with the Spurs Foundation since 1988.    His extensive community involvement also includes being on the executive committee of the San Antonio Livestock Exposition and the board of trustees of the United Way of San Antonio and World Affairs Council, trustee of the San Antonio Medical Foundation and chairman of the audit committee of the UT Health Science Center.

Lori Norwood remains the only American to win a world championship in Women’s Modern Pentathlon. The sport comprises the disciplines of pistol shooting, epée fencing, freestyle swimming, show jumping, and cross country running. In 1989, she was the world’s best, winning five international competitions, including the World Championship and San Antonio Cup. In 1990, Norwood placed second at the World Championships after winning the Goodwill Games, the San Antonio Cup and the U.S. National Championships.

She won the individual title at the 1989 Olympic Festival in Oklahoma City and was a finalist for the AAU James E. Sullivan Award in ’89 and ’90, as the nation’s finest amateur athlete. In 1989, Lori was the Express-News Female Athlete of the year, and in 1991, was named the 1991 Amateur Athlete of the Year by Professional Athletes Assisting Youth Sports. Lori is also a member of the San Antonio Women’s Hall of Fame.

Sports broadcaster Gary Delaune’s career has spanned five decades.  He is a 50 year veteran high school play-by-play announcer in Texas, and has been involved with college and professional sports teams since 1961 when he served as a broadcaster for the AFL Dallas Texans for two seasons and was a member of the Dallas Cowboys broadcast team for three seasons (1964-66). From 1968 through `71 Delaune was the voice of the Houston Astrodome.

He began his Texas radio and television broadcast career in 1960, first in Dallas and Houston before coming to KENS-TV in San Antonio, where he worked for 28 years as a reporter, producer and sports anchor. In 1973 he was the first San Antonio sportscaster to become a member of the Spurs basketball broadcast team.

DeLaune has received numerous journalism awards including the Associated Press Best Radio Documentary Award for “Jack Ruby’s Eleventh Hour” (1967), the Sigma Delta Chi Award for Best Television Sports Feature (1975 and 1990), the AP Best Feature Award (1975) and the Associated Press Best Spot News Award (1979).  He was named to the Lone Star Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame (2006) and was inducted into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame in 2007.

The San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame and the gala tribute are a partnership between San Antonio Sports, the City of San Antonio, and San Antonio Express-News.  The black-tie gala will be held in Ballroom C of the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center and feature a live performance from Grand Funk Railroad (“I’m Your Captain (Closer to Home) and “We’re an American Band”).  Proceeds from the San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame Tribute benefit San Antonio Sports’ kids programs.   For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.sanantoniosports.org/halloffame.

About San Antonio Sports
San Antonio Sports is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to transform our community through the power of sport.  San Antonio Sports bids on and hosts premier sporting events such as NCAA® championships, which have generated a local economic impact of more than $446 million.  San Antonio Sports kids programs, including the i play! afterschool program, the Community Olympic Development Program, the Go!Kids Challenge™ and SUBWAY® Kids Rock marathon training program, annually touch the lives of more than 180,000 children.  Additionally, San Antonio Sports serves as a catalyst for the development of quality recreational and athletic facilities in our community.  To learn more, visit SanAntonioSports.org.

Morgan’s Wonderland seeking to honor champions who’ve befriended people with special needs

By North SA Chamber Editor
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MorgansWonderland_logoMorgan’s Wonderland has set Friday, Aug. 1, as the deadline for 2014 Walk of Fame nominations, according to Ron Morander, general manager of the world’s first theme park designed with special-needs individuals of all ages in mind and built to be enjoyed by everyone.

“We annually honor five outstanding individuals who have been champions for the special-needs community,” Morander said.  “These remarkable individuals serve those with special needs in many different ways.  In doing so, they embody character traits such as determination, caring, achievement, sacrifice and inclusion.”

Walk of Fame honorees will be recognized at the Free to Soar Gala on Friday evening, Sept. 19, at Morgan’s Wonderland in San Antonio, and their names will be added to the Walk and Roll Path that encircles the park’s scenic eight-acre lake.

A committee from Morgan’s Wonderland and The Gordon Hartman Family Foundation, along with special advisors, will review nominations of not more than two typewritten pages submitted to WalkofFame@MorgansWonderland.com and select honorees.  Complete nominating instructions can be found on the park’s website, www.MorgansWonderland.com.

Sponsorship information and other details about the Free to Soar Gala are available from Becky Thomas at (210) 493-2811.

Morander provided examples of deserving honorees – a student who, regardless of a special need, perseveres at school and inspires other students; a Wounded Warrior who embraces life despite immense physical challenges and serves as a role model for other Warriors; a dedicated employee who has earned the admiration of a supervisor and peers for a job well done; a parent or caregiver who has sacrificed to make a difference for those with special needs; or someone who works directly with the special-needs community to make a difference in numerous lives.

“Though we recognize that an individual might be a true inspiration or a hero to his or her family members, we’re looking for those who positively influence or help multiple individuals in spite of physical or cognitive challenges,” Morander said.

Names of the honorees will be embedded in round, translucent “stepping stones” featuring the Morgan’s Wonderland logo – a butterfly in flight – on the ¾-mile-long Walk and Roll Path.  The pathway contains 88 of the 2-foot-in-diameter stepping stones that glow beginning at dusk.

Morgan’s Wonderland, which is completely wheelchair-accessible, features more than 25 attractions including rides, playgrounds and gardens.  (Check www.MorgansWonderland.com for the latest information on days and hours of operation.)  Admission for special-needs guests is free; admission for accompanying family members, friends, caregivers and the general public is nominal.  Children age 2 and younger are also admitted free of charge.

The inspiration for Morgan’s Wonderland came from philanthropist Gordon Hartman’s 20-year-old daughter Morgan.  Her soaring spirit despite personal challenges sparked within him a deep desire to create a haven not only for those with special needs but also for their families, caregivers and invited friends.  “Inclusion is the overarching objective,” he noted.  “Everyone can have a good time at Morgan’s Wonderland.”

Morgan’s Wonderland is part of a larger 106-acre sports venue to encourage inclusive recreation whereby individuals of all abilities can play side-by-side.  The nearby STAR (South Texas Area Regional) Soccer Complex offers 13 lighted soccer fields for tournaments and league play.  Net profits from STAR Soccer go to support the operation and maintenance of Morgan’s Wonderland.  Likewise, net profits from the San Antonio Scorpions FC pro soccer team and the team’s new, 8,000-seat home – Toyota Field – are also earmarked to expand programs and services at Morgan’s Wonderland for the special-needs community.

In addition, Monarch Academy, a school for students with special needs next to Morgan’s Wonderland, is wrapping up its third year of instruction.

Morgan’s Wonderland is located in Northeast San Antonio a half-mile west of IH 35 at the intersection of Wurzbach Parkway and Thousand Oaks Drive.  For more information, call either (210) 495-5888 or toll-free (877) 495-5888.

Returning Veterans to be saluted May 17, Armed Forces Day, at Morgan’s Wonderland

By North SA Chamber Editor
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MorgansWonderland_logoMore than 1,000 military veterans and members of their immediate families will be saluted at Welcome Home, an Armed Forces Day celebration from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 17, at Morgan’s Wonderland.

“We look forward to welcoming those who served in Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn,” said Marie Weldon, director of the South Texas Veterans Health Care System (STVHCS), “however any veteran of the U. S. armed forces is invited to participate.”

Morgans WonderlandFor the third consecutive year, STVHCS and Morgan’s Wonderland, the world’s first theme park designed with special-needs individuals in mind and built for everyone’s enjoyment, will team up to offer returning veterans a day of fun at the park plus special musical entertainment, food, games and prizes.

Information Fair _ Morgan's WonderlandIn addition to the family fun, veterans will have access to an information fair in the Morgan’s Wonderland Event Center on a wide variety of services available to them.  The 11 o’clock opening ceremonies will include remarks by Dr. Julianne Flynn, STVHCS chief of staff.

Many returning veterans with physical disabilities are taking advantage of STRAPS (South Texas Regional Adaptive and Paralympic Sports) at Morgan’s Wonderland.

Thanks to support from the San Antonio Scorpions pro soccer team and generous gifts from aerospace titan The Boeing Co., and Warm Springs, a leading provider of comprehensive rehabilitation services, STRAPS offers physically challenged athletes competition in sports such as wheelchair soccer, powerchair soccer, goalball (a sport similar to soccer for visually impaired athletes), wheelchair basketball and wheelchair softball.

For more information about Welcome Home, visit www.southtexas.va.gov.  Additional information can be found at www.MorgansWonderland.com and www.STRAPSsoccer.com.

Completely wheelchair-accessible, Morgan’s Wonderland is located at 5223 David Edwards Drive at the intersection of Wurzbach Parkway and Thousand Oaks Drive just west of IH 35 in Northeast San Antonio.