VALLEY COLLEGE ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME

The Newsletter of LAVC Athletics and the Hall of Fame: Spring 2010

2010 Class Selected for HOF Induction!

PREVOST HIRSCH ESTES BENEDICT

HUNT BANNER GIOVINAZZO SABOLIC 1988/89 Women’s Women’s 1988/89 Basketball Team Team Basketball 1984 Gymnastics Team

VALLEY GLEN, CACA————The Los Angeles Valley College (LAVC) Athletic Hall of Fame Committee announced its selection for the 2010 LAVC Athletic Hall of Fame. An Induction Dinner will be held for all recipients on Saturday, June 26, 2010 at 5:00 p.m. on the LAVC campus. (((con’t story on page 2 )))

SAVE THE DATE: INDUCTION DINNER, JUNE 26, 2010! LAVC Athletic Hall of Fame c/o LAVC Foundation (818) 947-2618 Page 2 Los Angeles Valley College Athletic Hall of Fame The Other Side of the Campus

Forthcoming LAVC Field House

Continuing their move to offer the optimum facilities for Val- renovated baseball field, relocation of two softball fields, a ley College students and members of the surrounding com- baseball/softball field house, stadium field house, a physi- munity, campus construction now focuses on the area east of cal education/recreation building, and eight new lighted Ethel Street. When finished, the new line-up will include a tennis courts.

Con’t 2010 HOF Class Selected “Since its inaugural induction, many nominations continue to be received by the LAVC Hall of Fame (HOF) Committee and it was quite an honor to select our inductees who will make up the 2010 Class,” said HOF Nomination sub-chair Brick Durely. The Class of 2010 LAVC Athletic Hall of Fame inductees includes:

1. Head Coach Gary Honjio and the 1984 Men¹s GymnasticsGymnastics Team placed second in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Gymnastics Championships. The #1 All Around Gymnast, Dean Archie, was also awarded the coveted AMF American Award, given to the top scholar-athlete in the nation. This was the first time that a Valley College Athlete had won this prestigious award. 2. The 1988/89 Women’s Basketball Team had an amazing 30-5 season advancing to the finals of the State Championship. Along the way they went undefeated in conference play with a perfect 12-0 season, winning the Western State Conference title, while also taking the championship trophy in the Riverside and Merritt College Tournament. 3. Larry Banner was one of the greatest gymnasts in the history of the Community Colleges. He was a state champion in numer- ous events as a Monarch in 1955 and 1956. Banner was a two time Olympian in 1960 and 1964, and was Captain of the 1964 team. He was inducted into the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 1993. 4. Jim Benedict was one of the most dominating pitchers in the history of California Community College baseball history . In 1982, Jim led Valley to the State Championship, and was named the State Player of The Year. After Valley, Jim played for Arizona State Univer- sity, before having a professional playing career in the Kansas City Royal organization. 5. Jim Estes was one of the legendary distance runners in the history of the California Community Colleges, Jim starred for the Valley Col- lege Track & Field and Cross Country teams from 1967-69.He was the State mile champ in 1969, and had the top times in the nation for all Junior Colleges in the mile and 880 yard run, and was a member of the 1969 national record setting 4 mile and distance medley relay teams. 6. Nick Giovinazzo coached a Valley College wrestling team that placed 2 nd in the state. In track and field, he coached a state champion in the 440 and pole vault. Giovinazzo was also a three-time Maccabea Games champion. One of his biggest legacy is coaching three mem- bers of the LAVC Hall of Fame. 7. Jack Hirsch was one of the greatest basketball players in the . He was a two-time All-Metropolitan Conference player from 1959-1961. He capped his college career at UCLA, where he garnered All-Conference and All-American honors on the 1964 NCAA championship team coached by John Wooden. 8. Ace Hunt was one of Valley College’s pioneer coaches who lead a number of Valley College tennis teams and the 1955 football team to conference and state championships. 9. Nikywa Prevost, State Champion track athlete proved to be both academically and athletically strong during her tenure at Valley College. Nikywa is still the current holder of four Monarch records in the 100 meter sprint (11.57), 200 meter sprint (23.37), 4X400 relay (3:43.0), and 4X100 relay (47.20). 10. Paul Sabolic played football and was selected All-Metropolitan Conference Offensive Lineman and Junior College All-American in 1967. He also played as a defensive lineman and could have also been selected all conference defensive lineman. Sabolic was heavily re- cruited and elected to play at the University of Washington.

Tickets to the Athletic Hall of Fame Induction banquet will be available starting May 20, 2010. Dinner tickets are $60 per person. Spon- sorship Opportunities are also available. For more information, call the Los Angeles Valley College Foundation at (818) 947-2618 or visit www.lavc.edu . Click “Community” and then “Athletic Hall of Fame.” Page 3

HOF Chairman’s Report

This edition of the Hall of Fame Newsletter introduces our 2010 Hall of Fame Inductees and stories that show our newest athletic facilities and describe recent athletic activities and accomplishments. We hope you will spend a few moments with the newsletter and get an update of what’s happening at LAVC and the Hall of Fame. Our next Induction Dinner is June 26, 2010 .This is our fourth Hall of Fame induction event and it could not happen without your continued support and participation. We are very fortunate that many of you continue to attend the dinner and contribute to our endowment and fundraising efforts. The dinner is a great time to renew your relationship with Valley College and get the opportunity to see and meet old friends. In a way, this yearly event has become our “““reunion“reunion meeting place ”.”.”. We welcome everyone who has been a part of athletics at Valley and who wish to ensure the Hall of Fame recognition continues. As always, I ask that you take the opportunity to join the Green and Gold Club which supports our athletic programs through funding of the athletic endowment. A modest contribution of only $100 yearly gets you membership to the Green and Gold Club and provides you with some on campus benefits. If only a fraction of former Valley athletes could make this contribu- tion, Valley College athletics could provide premier programs in all men’s and women’s sports. I personally ask you to help build the athletic program that helped you to develop and accomplish your life’s goals. Please take a moment and join the Green and Gold Club today. The Hall of Fame Committee takes great pride in supporting Valley College athletics and invites you to become a part of the “““Hall“Hall of Fame Team ”””.” As I mentioned, seeing old friends at the induction and renewing contacts has been the highlight of the dinner. For many, this was their first return to Valley since their early college days. Please call our office (818) 947-2618 if you have questions about the dinner or endowment or you wish to get involved with the committee. You can also view our website, www.lavc.edu/athletics/halloffame . Thank you again for your enthusiastic support of Valley College athletics and the Hall of Fame. Please contact me personally (818) 439-4424 if you have any questions about the activities of the Hall of Fame. I hope you enjoy this edition of the Hall of Fame Newsletter.

Paul Sabolic HOF Chairman

More News

$100K Goal You can give online now! www.lavcfoundation.edu

$30K Raised!

Nearly $30,000 has been raised for the Athletic Endowment Campaign. The goal is to raise $100,000 in the next four years. This endowment will The dedication of the new aquatics and pool help the LAVC Athletic program. Future facilities was held in December 2009. Those in at- events in the works include a golf tendance included Trustees Mona Field, Georgia tournament hosted by LAVC M&O. Mercer, Nancy Pearlman, Tina Park and Sylvia Scott- Hayes. Page 4 Los Angeles Valley College Athletic Hall of Fame

Athlete Recognition

California Community College Commission September 13, 2009 December 27, 2009 on Athletic and California Community Female: Elizabeth Herrera (Cross Country); a Female: Porcha Davis (Basketball); a fresh- College Athletic Association – 2009 freshman from . man from James Monroe High School Scholar Athlete Honor Roll GPA – 3.8 Female: Gioella Chaparro (Swimming); a September 20, 2009 January 10, 2010 sophomore from Birmingham High School Female: Sara Puranan (Water Polo); a fresh- Female: Christine Hernandez (Basketball); a man from Burbank High School freshman from Polytechnic High School California Community Colleges Football Male: Javion Garner (Basketball); a freshman Coaches Association - Academic All State September 27, 2009 from Lancaster High School Male: Brett Visciglia (Football); a sophomore Male: Anthony Dickson (Water Polo); a from Notre Dame High School sophomore from Grant High School January 17, 2010 Male: Jerome Lowe (Basketball); a sopho- Western State Conference Player of the October 4, 2009 more from Polytechnic High School Week Male: Brett Visciglia (Football); a sophomore Female: Andrea Scott (Basketball); a sopho- January 17, 2010: Porcha Davis (Basketball); Notre Dame High School more from Verdugo High School a freshman from James Monroe High School October 11, 2009 January 25, 2010 February 22, 2010: Jerome Lowe Male: Jensen Houston (Water Polo); a sopho- Male: Chris Lenik (Basketball); a sophomore (Basketball); a sophomore from Polytechnic more form Loyola High School from Granada Hills Charter High School High School Female: Erika Lopez (Cross Country); a Female: Chriselle Taloma (Basketball); a sophomore from Canoga High School freshman from James Monroe High School Athletes of the Month: October 18, 2009 January 31, 2010 September 2009: Female: Rosie Garcia (Soccer); a freshman Male: Jerome Lowe (Basketball); a sopho- Male: Zachary Cook (Water Polo); a sopho- from more from Polytechnic High School more from Alemany High School Female: Sara Puranan (Water Polo); a fresh- Female: Briana Smythe (Basketball); a fresh- man from Burbank High School man from Taft High School October 2009: Female: Sara Puranan (Water Polo); a fresh- October 23, 2009 February 7, 2010 man from Burbank high School Male: Jensen Houston (Water Polo); a sopho- Male: Cornell Lee (Basketball); a freshman more from Loyola High School from November 2009: Female: Carolina Martinez (Soccer) a fresh- Female: Porcha Davis (Basketball); a fresh- Male: Paulo Anzaldo (Cross Country); a man from man from James Monroe High School freshman from Bell Jefferson High School Female: Elizabeth Herrera (Cross Country); a October 31, 2009 February 14, 2010 freshman from Birmingham High School Male: Paulo Anzaldo (Cross Country); a Male: Jensen Houston (Swimming); a sopho- freshman from Bell Jeffersonl High School more from Loyola High School December 2009: Female: Elizabeth Herrera (Cross Country); a Female: Sara Puranan (Swimming); a sopho- Male: Pierre Prince (Basketball); a sopho- freshman from Birmingham High School more from Burbank High School more from Granada Hills Charter High School Female: Porcha Davis (Basketball); a fresh- November 8, 2009 February 21, 2010 man from James Monroe High School Male: John Hicks (Water Polo); a sophomore Male: Ian Rotundo (Swimming); a freshman from Alemany High School from Sylmar High School January 2010: Female: Valerie Perdiz (Softball); a sopho- Male: Jerome Lowe (Basketball); a sopho- November 15, 2009 more from Sylmar High School more from Polytechnic High School Male: Joel sprigs (Basketball); a sophomore Female: Porcha Davis (Basketball); a fresh- from February 28, 2010 man from James Monroe High School Male: Devon Sweat (Track); a freshman from November 22, 2009 February 2010: Female: Erika Beltran (Cross Country); a Female: Alycia Kadlec (Swimming); a sopho- Male: Kyle Ballew (Track); a freshman from freshman from James Monroe High School more from Kennedy High School El Camino High School Female: Stacy Razo (Softball); a freshman November 30, 2009 from Abraham Lincoln High School Male: Jerome Lowe (Basketball); a sopho- more from Polytechnic High School Males and Females Athletes of the Week : Male: Vincente Sanchez (Cross Country); a freshman from James Monroe High School August 30, 2009: Female: Monic Johnson (Soccer); a freshman December 6, 2009 from James Monroe High School Male: Pierre Prince (Basketball); a sopho- more from Granada Hills Charter High School September 6, 2009 LAVC Athletic Hall of Fame Male: Zack Cook (Water Polo); a sophomore December 20, 2009 c/o LAVC Foundation from Alemany High School Male: Andrey Orlov (Basketball); a sopho- (818) 947-2618 more from Reseda High School