LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — The 2025 Southern Nevada Sports activities Corridor of Fame might be inducting six new members on Friday.
Government Director Jim Lambright shared perception on the Southern Nevada Sports activities Corridor of Fame’s mission, its wealthy historical past, and what makes this yr’s class of inductees particular.
The Corridor of Fame was established in 1997 to honor people who’ve made an enduring impression in sports activities and the group. It moved to its present residence inside Lee’s Household Discussion board simply three years in the past, the place it now options an unimaginable visible tribute. Every of the 133 inductees has their picture and a quick story displayed on the venue partitions.
This yr’s six inductees:
Ron Aitken, one of many high swimming coaches within the nation, has developed eight Olympians by means of his management of the Sandpipers of Nevada and Bishop Gorman Excessive College swim groups. A former UNLV swimmer himself, Aitken’s affect reaches the Olympic stage, serving to swimmers qualify in each occasion and stroke since 2016.
Reneé Brown, a trailblazer in girls’s basketball, is a former UNLV participant who helped launch the WNBA. A longtime assistant coach at powerhouse packages like Stanford and Kansas, she went on to function VP of the WNBA and performed a key function in shaping the league’s early years.
Deryk Engelland, a former Las Vegas Wrangler turned Vegas Golden Knight, turned the guts of the crew throughout its unforgettable inaugural season. Recognized for his highly effective management and heartfelt speech following the 1 October tragedy, Engelland stays a group determine and at the moment serves as a particular assistant to the proprietor of the Golden Knights.
2025 Southern Nevada Sports activities Corridor of Fame. (KLAS)
Southern Nevada Sports activities Corridor of Fame might be inducting six new members on Friday June 13. (KLAS)
Corridor of Fame was established in 1997 to honor people who’ve made an enduring impression. (KLAS)
Every of the 133 inductees has their picture and a quick story displayed on the venue partitions. (KLAS)
T.J. Lavin, a Las Vegas native and BMX icon, received a number of championships and X Video games medals earlier than surviving a life-threatening crash in 2010. Now, he evokes followers in a brand new approach because the longtime host of MTV’s The Problem, whereas remaining linked to the game that made him a legend.
Horrace Smith spent many years shaping the lives of younger athletes as a soccer coach and educator. He led profitable packages at Western and Bonanza Excessive Colleges, turning struggling groups into playoff contenders whereas emphasizing management and character on and off the sphere.
Rick Traasdahl, additionally a Southern Nevada native, is remembered as a mentor and motivator. For 30 years, he coached and taught at faculties throughout Clark County, at all times identified merely as “Coach” to generations of scholars whose lives he helped mould.
8 Information Now reporter JC was additionally joined by Steve Stallworth, a 2009 Corridor of Fame inductee and former UNLV quarterback. Stallworth mirrored on his personal induction expertise, sharing that having his household current was essentially the most significant half.
Stallworth additionally gave a sneak peek into Friday’s program and highlighted the scholarship packages provided, together with the Wealthy Abajian and David Humm Braveness scholarships.
Native student-athletes are supported with $50,000 in scholarships yearly.
The 2025 Induction Ceremony is Friday, June 13, at Lee’s Household Discussion board. For extra info, click on right here.
