Greg Hansen: Pima sports 'Hall' ceremony memorable as ever, always emotional; 2023 no different

Willie Morales stood alone on a stage at the Doubletree Hotel at Reid Park Sunday, live microphone in hand, looking into a sea of people who had paid $60 per ticket to watch the induction ceremonies for Pima County’s Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2023.

It was quiet and intimidating. You’re on, Willie.

Morales didn’t say a word about his days as a Baltimore Oriole, didn’t mention his starring role on Tucson High’s back-to-back state baseball champions of 1987-88, or describe what it was like to help Arizona win the 1992 Pac-10 championship.

Instead, he described his journey from boy to man, how he overcame temptations as a wide-eyed teenager, and how much he benefited from the support of his family, friends, coaches and teammates along the way..

It was lump-in-the-throat time.

A few minutes later, Ashley Monceaux-Valenzuela stepped on stage. She candidly talked about losing her scholarship from Mike Candrea’s Arizona’s softball team 20 years ago, how she too often yielded to temptation and needed second- and third chances before she led Pima College to the 2004 NJCAA championship and went on to become a Women’s College World Series all-star at Baylor.

“I finally figured it out,’’ said the three-time state champion from Flowing Wells High School. “It’s hard to believe, but I went back to school and got two Master’s degrees.’’

With scores of others, I stood and applauded. It’s amazing no one saw the tears in my eyes.

I have probably attended 15 or 20 PCSHOF induction ceremonies through the years, and they never fail to smother me with emotion.

Years ago, I remember Ed Vosberg, perhaps the greatest schoolboy baseball player in Tucson history, a man who played in the Little League World Series, the College World Series and the MLB World Series, pause, his voice cracking, thanking UA coach Jerry Kindall.

And I remember three-time MLB All-Star shortstop J.J. Hardy of Sabino High, stopping to compose himself, his voice trembling, as he thanked his father, long-tune Tucson tennis pro Mark Hardy, who was inducted into the PCSHOF on the same day.

I think I’ve been attending these ceremonies more for the tears than the cheers.

The inaugural class of the Pima County Sports Hall of Fame was inducted in a ceremony at the UA student union in the spring of 1990. Oh, what a night. The biggest names in Tucson sports history took turns sharing their stories, setting a precedent of seeing grown men and women cry.

There was NBA All-Star Fat Lever of Pueblo High, first-round baseball draft pick Eddie Leon of Tucson High and the UA, three of the greatest high school football coaches in Tucson history – Ollie Mayfield, John Mallamo and Rollin Gridley – and UA All-American tackle Mike Dawson, who played 10 NFL seasons.

Dawson sobbed.

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It was one of the best sporting events I’ve attended through 40 years in Tucson.

But what sticks with me all these years later –through 33 induction classes and 436 members – was the 1990 tribute paid to Delbert “Deb’’ Secrist, who set the standard for what it means to be a Hall of Famer in this town.

I had never heard of Secrist before that spring day 33 years ago. He died of a heart attack in 1970 when he was just 64 years old. But as PCSHOF founder Al Sye read his accomplishments I was in awe.

Talk about a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Secrist grew up in Pennsylvania, was a football star at then-relevant Washington and Jefferson University, was selected to play in the East-West All-Star Game, and later became a scout and advisor for Hall of Fame football coach Pop Warner.

Secrist soon moved to Tucson to start his medical practice. He became the team doctor of the Tucson High and UA football teams, declining pay. In what spare time he had he officiated high school football games, became an All-American YMCA volleyball player, and was president of the TUSD school district.

This all came after Secrist served as a medical officer for the Army Air Corps in World War II.

Some of Secrist’s best work was to support and promote integration in TUSD, working closely with those who played football and basketball for the Badgers, encouraging them, telling them “I’ve got your back.’’. In 1963, president John F. Kennedy famously phoned Secrist to ask him how he had been successful in helping to integrate Tucson schools.

For the next 32 years, the PCSHOF has stretched the boundaries of success by inducting those from all walks of life..

It has inducted 23 referees, a rodeo clown, three from the Tucson Park and Recreation department, 13 from the world of sports business, including Los Angeles Angels owner Arte Moreno, the entire Tucson Rodeo committee, five TUSD sports administrators, two Little League baseball coaches, a skydiver, a mountain climber and a strength and conditioning coach, Carla Garrett, Class of ‘23, whose speech Sunday would motivate anyone to get off the couch and get something done.

When Garrett, a two-time Arizona NCAA track and field champion, completed her speech, hundreds in the DoubleTree ballroom stood and applauded. Her work at Pima College, Salpointe Catholic, the UA and with dozens of individual Tucson athletes has been so successful that she has been elected to five Halls of Fame.

Garrett didn’t leave me in tears Sunday. She left me happy. Can’t wait ‘til next year.