The Elevator: Nevada Sports Hall of Fame edition
Saturday, May 31, 2008 | 2 a.m.
Rich Abajian
Fred Dallimore
Larry Johnson
Mel Larson
Wendy Macpherson
A special Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame edition of the Elevator, in honor of the five inductees in the diverse class of 2008. Including the members of this year’s class, who will be inducted Friday night, 55 individuals and teams are enshrined in the local hall. The Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame was established in 1997 and is in the Findlay Automotive Store in the Galleria Mall in Henderson.
GOING UP
Rich Abajian
A two-year starter for the Nevada-Reno football team in the 1970s and an assistant coach under Tony Knap at UNLV from 1978 to 1981, Abajian also has been responsible for raising millions of dollars in contributions for local charities and youth sports programs.
Fred Dallimore
One of the most popular coaches in UNLV history, Dallimore guided the Rebels baseball team to 794 wins during his 23-year career. One of only two UNLV coaches to have his jersey retired (Jerry Tarkanian is the other), Dallimore’s teams averaged 34.5 victories per season.
Larry Johnson
A member of UNLV’s 1990 NCAA championship basketball team, Johnson was the first overall pick in the NBA Draft the following year and was the NBA’s Rookie of the Year in 1991-92. In addition to having a successful 10-year pro career, Johnson was one of the captains of the U.S. gold-medal-winning basketball team in the 1994 World Championship.
Mel Larson
Along with participating in virtually every form of motor sports from NASCAR to off-road racing, Larson excelled in promotions, public relations and business in Southern Nevada. Larson was instrumental in helping Bill Bennett, Ralph Engelstad and Richie Clyne design and build Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Wendy Macpherson
During her 21-year professional career, Macpherson has won 20 professional titles, including five majors, and holds the distinction of being the youngest bowler to win the U.S. Open (in 1986 at age 18) and the only woman to win the prestigious United States Bowling Congress Open (in 2006).
IF YOU GO
What: Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame induction dinner
When: Friday
Where: Orleans Arena
Times: 6 p.m. (cocktails and silent auction), 8 p.m. (dinner and ceremony)
Admission: $200
On the Web: www.snshf.com
Discussion: 3 comments so far…
Post a comment
- Most Read
- Discussed
- Most E-mailed
- ‘Stripper-mobile’ with live dancers raises safety, decency concerns
- Manny Pacquiao, Miguel Cotto arrive at MGM Grand
- Cada cherishes moment as poker’s youngest champ
- $5.1 million later, life goes on for Darvin Moon
- Rebels survive scare from Division-II Washburn
- Report: State’s economy worse off than any other
- Harrah’s launches program to focus on small group travel
- Encore, M Resort added to Forbes Travel list
- Strip gaming win sees smallest decline since June 2008
- Las Vegas sees first monthly visitor increase since May 2008
Blogs
TUF Heavyweights
Episode 9: Funky chickens
Shark Bytes
Players on championship team always worked hard (5 Comments)
Sports: Upon Further Review
Fight snapshot: Predictions for Pacquiao-Cotto (1 Comment)
The Kats Report
A lesson in information dissemination, with a little Twitter and a lot of Agassi
Now and Then
Ichabods were tougher than they sound (2 Comments)
Politics: Ralston's Flash
I shudder to think what the “amazing door prize from the governor” might be (7 Comments)
Pew Center report finds what others have: Nevada's economy depressed, future in doubt (7 Comments)
Calendar »
- 12 Thu
- 13 Fri
- 14 Sat
- 15 Sun
- 16 Mon
-
Las Vegas Wranglers vs. Utah Grizzlies
Orleans Hotel-Casino
-
Lily Tomlin at the Hollywood Theatre
Hollywood Theatre at MGM Grand
-
Leonard Cohen at The Colosseum
The Colosseum | 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
-
Football specials at Diablo's
Diablos Cantina
The Sun
Locally owned and independent for more than 50 years.
Technorati











Comment removed by staff.
WE CARE. the community cares and is excited to recognize people for their accomplishments. Just like we are happy that you found your "soul" mate. So, why don't you and your "soul" mate step up and support our community? Or, are you just a leach-like transplant? If that's the case, the economy is bad, so please go back home.
In nineteen seventy two I was a young Viet-Nam vet stationed at Nellis AFB. My home was in Phoenix and my father was very ill. I had only been back from the war a short time and needed to spend more time with my dad then I had leave to accomidate. So I decided to hitch hike home to see him on weekends. On my first attempt I was standing outside a hotel with my thumb out when a beautiful cady pulled up and some one told me to get in. The driver not only got me to Phoenix but comitted to get me there and back every time he and I were going on the same week end. He was true to his word and I have never forgotten his act of kindness to me at a time when the rest of the world was less than friendly to viet nam vets. The drivers name was Mel Larson and I have never forgotten what a class act he was and obviously still is. If you see him tell him I am still greatfull for the time he gave me with my father.