The New Inductees
Oct 17, 2019 12:00AM ● By By Shelly Lembke
2019 inductees from front row L-R: Steve Finch, Doug Hilton, Dr. Jim Champa, Don Martinez III, Tom Doherty and Jacquecar Robinson. Back row L-R: Mike Ondina and Robert "Pete" Reed. Not pictured are: Annie Klimecki-Roe, Chris Nyman, Bill Ferreirae, Billy Ferreirae and Tom Williams. Photo by Rick Sloan
RCAA Names New Hall of Fame Members
RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - The Rancho Cordova Athletic Association hosted its 5th Annual Rancho Cordova Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on October 12, at City Hall. The sold-out event was hosted by celebrity emcee and Rancho Cordova native, Ken Rudulph, who wowed and wooed the crowd with personal anecdotes about the famous Lancers who were inducted that night.
This year’s inductees continue to expand the Rancho Cordova Sports Hall of Fame’s figural list of “Who’s Who” in the Rancho Cordova Sports Legacy. Current Vice-Mayor David Sander, Ph.D, opened the evening by emphasizing that the Rancho Cordova Athletic Association exists to continue this legacy by promoting youth sports in the City, “Where every kid gets to play.”
Individuals inducted this year: Dr. Jim Champa (Football & Wrestling), Tom Doherty (Coach), Bill Ferreirae (Heart of a Champion), Billy Ferreirae (Heart of a Champion), Steve Finch (Baseball), Doug Hinton (Baseball), Don Martinez III (Wrestling), Chris Nyman (Baseball), Mike Ondina (Baseball), Robert ‘Pete’ Reed (Coach), Jacquecar Robinson (Track/Body Building), Annie Klimecki-Roe (Swimming), Tom William (Football). Certainly not to be forgotten was the group induction of the entire 1985 Cordova High Lancer Football Team and Coach Max Miller, who became the first Sac-Joaquin Section team to nail down an unheard of 14-0 season.
The individual and group achievements of these coaches and student-athletes set records that still stand today, and their accomplishments are nothing short of stellar, with many going on to college and professional sports as athletes, team captains, leaders and coaches at all levels. Others became community leaders and impressive, influential professionals in education, law, medicine, fundraising, CEOs and other important positions that continue to touch lives and encourage lessons learned from sportsmanship.
The evening began with an adult cocktail hour that was paired with delectable appetizers prepared and artfully served by the Cordova High Culinary Academy students. Past inductees and local dignitaries were welcomed and recognized, as were the event’s sponsors, which were an impressive mix of individual, civic and corporate groups.
