Cox proudly supports the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame and its commitment to building leadership, values and character through sports.
We are honored to help celebrate the outstanding achievements of Southern Nevada athletes and coaches.
Now serving in my first year as Chairman of the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame, it is a sincere honor to welcome you to tonight’s event as we gather to honor another outstanding class of inductees.
Since our first ceremony in 1997, the SNSHF has grown into a treasured annual event to highlight the accomplishments of the best of the best our community has produced in the world of sports. That foundational goal has been matched hand-inhand by a drive to enhance our youth through participation in athletics, accomplished by providing financial support to valued organizations throughout the Valley.
At our core, our organizers and partners continue to answer the question of “Where would you be without sports in your life?” It’s a self-examination that becomes increasingly relevant as our great city rapidly solidifies its place as the Entertainment & Sports Capital of the World. Indeed, whether it’s last season’s WNBA championship parade, the new Formula 1 race in November or Super Bowl
LVIII next February -- the planet’s greatest events continue to make their home in our very own city. In Southern Nevada, sport not only helps mold us as individuals, but also increasingly elevates our entire community. Truly, sports help put the Fabulous in Fabulous Las Vegas!
We are blessed to have not only a wonderful venue for tonight’s ceremony but also with a permanent home to showcase our Hall of Famers and I want to thank our donors and supporters who helped make it all possible here at Dollar Loan Center. I also want to sincerely thank the members of our Executive Committee and Board of Trustees of the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame, all of whom are dedicated to advancing this organization and its valuable mission. Their hard work and support throughout the year have
brought us to this point – the highly anticipated induction of the Class of 2023.
Announced in December at Allegiant Stadium –fittingly just before kickoff of the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl – this prestigious class will bring our Hall of Fame to 122 members. The diverse list of six inductees includes longtime Las Vegan and Olympic Gold Medalist in BMX racing Connor Fields; the late governor, educator and UNLV president Kenny Guinn; former pro baseball player and longtime Rebel Baseball assistant coach Kevin Higgins; one of the game’s most respected teachers and former Runnin’ Rebel head coach Lon Kruger; former UNLV player and one of the most successful girls’ high school basketball coaches in the nation Karen Weitz; and a beloved venue that went a long way in ushering in the Southern Nevada modern sports scene when it opened in 1996, the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. We are truly grateful for the indelible mark that our honorees have made on our community and thankful for your attendance for tonight’s celebration of their accomplishments.
Here’s to another great year of sports!
Sincerely,
John Saccenti Chairman
As the Executive Director of the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame, I would like to thank you for attending our 24th Induction Ceremony. We believe that this year’s class – including Connor Fields, Kenny Guinn, Kevin Higgins, Lon Kruger, Karen Weitz and Las Vegas Motor Speedway – epitomizes what it means to have made an impact in Southern Nevada Sports.
I would personally like to thank all of our attendees and guests tonight; as well as our partners who continue supporting the mission of the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame. I would especially like to thank Cliff Findlay and the Findlay Automotive Group. You continue to be a driving force in our organization, and with the leadership and foresight of the late Rich Abajian – the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame continues to look toward the future. It is our honor to continue pursuing Rich’s vision of creating an organization that honors all of the men and women that we induct year after year.
Over the past 25 years, the SNSHF has awarded more than 80 scholarships to Clark County
students. These recipients have set a standard among their peers by being athletes, leaders on the field and in the classroom, while also maintaining outstanding GPA’s. They have also actively worked in our communities to serve those in need.
This year, seven graduating seniors are recipients. They are Marcus Young (David Humm Scholarship Award for Courage); Daphne Egelhoff, Logan Frazier-Smith, Joanne Lee, Georgia Vigo and Marley Spielberg (Rich Abajian Leadership Scholarships) and Cassandra Whitman (Simon Keith Heart of a Champion Award).
To the 2023 Class of Inductees, as you remember this evening with
your friends and family, know that we are all in awe and astonishment of all of your amazing achievements. You are who the next generation of Southern Nevadans are looking up to for guidance, mentorship, and wisdom. Thank you for being outstanding examples of athletes, community leaders and mentors. Tonight is your night - thank you for sharing it with us.
As you will see here tonight, Las Vegas has a long list of individuals and organizations who have made an impact in Southern Nevada through sports. I ask that each and everyone of you continue doing your part to grow our sports community while remaining tethered to the roots of our hometown. We are loyal and we are committed to one another. Lest not forget our history and move forward into the future with strong leadership, high moral character, and unwavering values.
In closing, thank you for your continued support of the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame.
The 49 men and women that serve on our Board of Trustees are proud of our community and will stay committed to making it even greater in the future.
Sincerely,
Jim Lambright Executive Director
The Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame is a non-profit organization committed to recognizing the outstanding achievements by Southern Nevada athletes, both in the world of sports and the local community. Proceeds from the event will be do-
Chairman
John Saccenti
Rich Abajian, in memoriam
Thom Blinkinsop
Dan Dolby
Dale Eeles
Melissa Meacham-Grossman
nated to organizations committed to the support and enhancement of Southern Nevada youth through active participation in programs designed to promote leadership, values and character through sports.
Executive Director
Jim Lambright
Executive Committee
Kevin Higgins
Simon Keith
Joe Kelly
Eric Kovac
Don Logan
Mike Lubbe
Michael Mack
Jeff Motley
Steve Stallworth
The Board of Trustees of the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame is made up a group of individuals dedicated to advancing the organization and meeting the high standards set forth in its Mission Statement.
The group includes:
Dan Abdalla
Jeremy Anderson
Tyler Baldwin
Stephanie Bernas
Jennifer Bradley
Dick Calvert
Damian Costa
Tyler Corder
Terry Cottle
EJ Cutliff
Brian Dallimore
Brennan Drew
Chris Engler
Robby Findlay, Jr.
Rick Glenn
Scott Godino, Jr.
Shaun Gogna
Adam Grant
Kylie Higgins
Tom Humm
Kevin Kelley
Mike LeBlue
Jesse Leeds
Tony Lenzie
Marty Linde
Mike MacLeod
Deacon Nauslar
Mike Pritchard
Bill Purcell
Dan Rush
Dave Russo
Julie Samuelson
Mike Skenandore
Steve Spatafore
Linda Staley
Savannah Stallworth
Roger Tabor
Thomas Wagner
Dean White
Here is the prestigious list of all honored Southern Nevada Sports Inductees with year and class.
2023
Connor Fields
Kenny Guinn
Kevin Higgins
Lon Kruger
Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Karen Weitz
2022
Larry Brown
Shawn Davis
Glen Gondrezick
Ryan Ludwick
DeMarco Murray
Amy Purdy
2019
Steve Carp
Hunkie Cooper
Manny Guerra
Mike Martin
Steve Stallworth
Vegas Golden Knights
2018
Al Bernstein
Armon Gilliam
Forrest Griffin
Rossi Ralenkotter
Jim Reitz
Las Vegas Thunder
2017
Overton Curtis
Butch Harmon
Las Vegas Bowl
Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Sam Schmidt
2016
1997-98 UNLV Golf Team
Marty Cordova
Frank Mir
Sig Rogich
2015
Kurt Busch
Glenn Carano
Ric Griffith
Joe Kelly
Mike Tys on
2014
Ken Black
Tim Chambers
Carey Hart
Chris Riley
The Herbst Family
2013
Andre Agassi
Bill Bobier
Pat Christenson
Stephanie Louden
Chris Powell
Dana White
2012
Stacey Augmon
Elbert John “Duke” Durden
Simon Keith
Las Vegas Founders
Frank Nails
201 1
1944 Las Vegas High School Football Team
Christina M. Hixson
Steven Jackson
Don Logan
Tasha Schwikert
2010
Freddie Banks
James “Bruce” Bayne
Dick Calvert
Fred Darling
Ralph Meder
The Fertitta Family
2009
Michael Gaughan
Jimmy May
National Finals Rodeo
Frank Plasso
Robert Smith
2008
Rich Abajian
Fred Dallimore
Larry Johnson
Mel Larson
Wendy Macpherson
2007
1983 Las Vegas Stars
Bob Blum
Tina Kunzer-Murphy
Mike Pritchard
The Boyd Family
2006
Greg Anthony
Royce Feour
Dr. Gerald Higgins
George MacCall
Richard Steele
2005
Robert Gamez
Keith Kleven
Lou Pisani
Marc Ratner
Matt Williams
2004
Jack Cason
Richie Clyne
Tony Knap
Dwaine Knight
Gerald Riggs
2002
Rodger Fairless
Lori Harrigan
Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority
Greg Maddux
Mike Maddux
Mike Morgan
2001
1989-90 UNLV Basketball Team
Cliff Findlay
Frank Hawkins
Dr. Donald J. Romeo
Dr. Brad Rothermel
2000
Jim Colbert
Randall Cunningham
Lionel Hollins
Johnny Tocco
Tom Wiesner
1999
Marty Barrett
Bill Ireland
Davey Pearl
The Cashman Family
1998
1976-77 UNLV Men’s Basketball Team
Angelo Collis
Bill “Wildcat” Morris
Jerry Tarkanian
Sheila Tarr-Smith
Lee White
1997
David Humm
Where would you be without sports? We all need a helping hand and congratulations to our distinguished 2023 scholarship recipients.
Joanne Lee
Coronado High School
Marcus Young
Arbor View High School
Weighted GPA: 4.59
Sport: Football
Attending: University of Nevada, Reno
Major: Finance
Rich
Daphne Egelhoff
Coronado High School
Weighted GPA: 5.213
Sport: Soccer
Attending: Idaho State University
Major: Undecided
Logan Frazier-Smith
Durango High School
Weighted GPA: 5.01
Sports: Soccer, Bowling and Track & Field
Attending: Linfield University
Major: Secondary Education/Teaching
Weighted GPA: 5.25
Sport: Golf
Attending: Yale
Major: Undecided
Georgia Vigo
West Career and Technical Academy
Weighted GPA: 5.436
Sport: Equestrian (Dressage/Show Jumping/ Cross Country)
Attending: Undecided
Major: Economics with Business Management
Marley Spielberg
Basic Academy of International Studies
Weighted GPA: 4.850
Sports: Flag Football, Soccer & Track & Field
Attending: Ottawa University in Kansas
Major: Sports Leadership
Cassandra Whitman
Northwest Career & Technical Academy
Weighted GPA: 3.8
Attending: UNLV
Major: Education
1999
Erin Armstrong
Jake Keel
2000
Lindsay Appuglise
James O’Dea
2001
Cody Helbert
Marisa Marconi
2002
Patricia DeSimone
Kris Prado
2003
Sondra Grigsby
Jason Maimes
2004
Cortney Durand
Joshua Webster
2005
Mitchell Barlow
Brooke Paulson
2006
Kristina Kline
J. Ryan Whitesitt
2007
JB Marek
Katie Palmer
2008
Jeremy Kadoich
Jordan Nitz
2009
Alex Bonczyk
Rebecca Revo
2010
Paxton Fleming
Gregory Tucker
2011
Amanda Boucher
Julia Garcia
Katherine Fischer
Nicole Vandersteldt
2012
Zoe Galindo
Erika Hanuscin
Jessica Reed
Breanna Robinson
Cody Schuster
2013
Alexander Blutman
Kaleileihua Cabanas
Avalan Frantz
Megan Purdy
Hannah Tatlock
2014
Katelyn Faulk
Meredith Hall
Michael Spada
Nicholas Werner
Trina Whiteside
The 2022 recipients were (l to r): Taylor Gauthier (Clark High School), Sariah Wilkinson (Basic Academy), Kennith Rose (Boulder City High School), Emma Foster (Basic Academy), Eunice Choi (Clark High School) and Olivia Pretner (Desert Oasis High School).
Reagan Parise was unable to attend.
2015
Courtney Lugo
Griffin Mallas
Gabriella Mitchel
Sterling Stalz
2016
Nathalie Martinez
Christian Montenegro
Christian Ong
Kasdyn Rafie
2017
Cortney Blumenthal
Jennifer Martinez
Jadyn Nogues
Emilia Piccininni
Jonathan Sosa
2018
Sadie Oakley
Makenna Curcuru
Liam Jones
Hannah Grossman
Haley Tyrell
2019
Claire Binfield
Mandi Dallimore
Deanine Dilworth
Haley Morton
Kendall Nether
Abigail Zuhlke
2022
Eunice Choi
Emma Foster
Taylor Gauthier
Reagan Parise
Olivia Pretner
Kennith Rose
Sariah Wilkinson
Connor Fields is a long-time Las Vegan and graduate of Green Valley High School. Fields is one of the world’s most accomplished BMX racers and whose career includes a gold medal in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He is the first American to ever win Olympic gold in BMX racing.
Fields career began at age 7 when his mom saw a flyer posted in a bicycle store about a race at the BMX track on the Las
Vegas Motor Speedway property. Fields made a steady climb through the BMX ranks and at age 16 won his first USABMX age group title. Fields would end his amateur career with three age group national titles. Fields turned pro in 2011 and began his quest to medal in the Olympics. In 2012, Fields qualified as part of the U.S. team for Olympics in London. Fields placed seventh, which fueled his fire to go for gold in 2016 in Rio.
In 2020, Fields again qualified for the Olympics as part of the U.S. team in Tokyo, but a crash in the semifinals ended his hopes of a repeat. Fields retired from competitive cycling in 2022.
Connor is a graduate of UNLV and now devotes his time to many causes. Fields has begun coaching young aspiring BMX racers as well as motivational speaking. He also spends countless hours on his many charity endeavors as well.
BORN: September 4, 1992
CLAIM TO FAME: Fields is the first American man to ever win an Olympic gold medal in BMX racing.
A former athlete at USC and Fresno State, Kenny Guinn proved time and again during his lifetime that he was one of Nevada’s finest educators, leaders and visionaries. He had a passion for sports and received undergraduate and graduate degrees in physical education and a doctorate degree in education from Utah State University.
When he arrived in Southern Nevada, Guinn coached a variety of youth sports, including football, basketball, baseball and track among others. He spearheaded the building of the Potulski Gym on Lindell Lane for children to play in a safe environment. In addition, he was the driving force behind the Western High School acquiring new football stadium lights, upgraded football locker room and the auxiliary gym. Later, as superintendent of the Clark County School District, he led the department and was a huge proponent of expanding athletic programs, including those for middle school/junior high and ninth grade students. He then pursued a career in the private sector, including his role as chairman of Southwest Gas Corporation.
UNLV sought his assistance in righting the university in 1994, and as UNLV president he instituted administrative and policy changes that helped the university regain its momentum
as an ever-expanding urban college. Part of that mission was supporting Rebel athletics, including spearheading a new era of UNLV Basketball during a time of transition. First elected governor in 1998 and re-elected in 2002, he changed the face of Nevada government. He streamlined state government while at the same time making state services more accessible to Nevada’s citizens through the
increased use of technology. Among the dynamic and innovative programs he initiated was the Millennium Scholarship. To this day, the Millennium Scholarship assists Nevada students and student athletes with college expenses if they choose to attend college in Nevada.
Kenny C. Guinn Middle School still bears his name today. He passed away on July 22, 2010 at the age of 73.
BORN: August 24, 1936
CLAIM TO FAME: Guinn was instrumental in leading and supporting Rebel athletics during his tenure as UNLV president and, while governor, initiated the Millennium Scholarship that still exists today.
the Los Angeles Dodgers. Higgins also served as the 51s’ color analyst for two seasons.
An outstanding player in his own right, Higgins was a two-time All-Pac 10 First Team selection at second base, tri-captain and recipient of the Mr. Sun Devil Award for Leadership at Arizona State University.
Higgins is one of most influential baseball coaches and mentors in Las Vegas’ proud heritage on the diamond. Since 2010, he has guided the UNLV Baseball program, first as an assistant coach to oversee the team’s hitters, infielders and catchers and currently as the associate head coach.
Higgins continues to bring his expertise to the Rebels, with 28 Major League Baseball draftees from the roster over the past ten seasons. Since 2011, the program also had 21 student-athletes named to the All-Mountain West Team a total of 23 times with 16 first-team honorees.
Prior to joining the Rebels, Higgins served as an assistant coach at the College of Southern Nevada, where he helped lead the Coyotes to the 2010 Region XVIII and Western District Championships as well as a third-place finish at the JUCO World Series. During that season, he helped mentor the team’s catcher, Bryce Harper, who was the first overall draft pick in the 2010 MLB Draft.
Before his stint with CSN, Higgins had coaching stops at both the high school and collegiate level, including spending two years as first base coach with the Las Vegas 51s, the then Triple-A affiliate of
Following the 1988 season in which Higgins batted .361 with 108 hits, including 34 for extra bases in addition to 68 RBI and 11 stolen bases, he was named First-Team All-America by Baseball America. The following season, Higgins helped ASU to a national runner-up finish at the College World Series in addition to being selected a First Team All-Region second baseman and named to the All-Decade Team (198089) at second base.
In 1989 he was drafted in the 12th round by the San Diego Padres and spent five seasons in the organization, earning several notable honors in that span. A Double-A batting champion in the Texas League in 1990, he was called up to the Padres three years later on May 28, 1993, finishing the season as the San Diego’s starting catcher and also playing a variety of other positions.
BORN: January 22, 1967
CLAIM TO FAME: Higgins has been involved in all levels of baseball, including as a Major League player, coach, mentor and broadcaster.
Kruger is one of finest coaches to ever lead a team in Las Vegas, compiling a 161-71 (.694) record in his seven years at UNLV. During that stint, he coached the Runnin’ Rebels to the NCAA Tournament four of his last five seasons after the program appeared in only two of the previous 15 tournaments. Over his final five seasons in Las Vegas, Kruger’s teams posted a .743 winning percentage (127-44) and averaged 25.4 victories. His 2006-07 squad won 30 games and advanced to the Sweet 16.
When Kruger retired he had amassed 674 career wins which landed him at the time at No. 27 on the all-time wins
list. Just as impressively, he is the only coach to win NCAA Tournament games with five different programs (Kansas State, Florida, Illinois, UNLV and Oklahoma).
Throughout his career, his teams made the NCAA Tournament 20 times and he led four teams to the Sweet 16. Kruger’s teams reached the Final Four in 1994 with Florida and in 2016 with Oklahoma.
As hard as Kruger worked to achieve excellence on the hardwood, he is just as committed to his role as a community leader in the fight against cancer. He continues to serve as council chair of Coaches vs. Cancer, a nationwide program partnering with
the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches. Kruger has been a member of the Coaches vs. Cancer Council since 2007 and has been a longtime supporter of the American Cancer Society.
Kruger’s accolades both on and off the court have earned him multiple recognitions. In 2017, Kruger was honored with the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Metropolitan Award for long and outstanding service to men’s college basketball. In addition, before the start of the 2018-19 campaign, the John R. Wooden Award selected him as the 2019 recipient of its Legends of Coaching Award
Kruger capped his illustrious 40-year coaching career by being named to the Class of 2022 for the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame.
BORN: August 19, 1952
CLAIM TO FAME: Kruger is the only coach to win NCAA Tournament games with five different programs (Kansas State, Florida, Illinois, UNLV and Oklahoma).
Las Vegas Motor Speedway has become the most diverse motorsports facility in the world and the largest sports venue in Las Vegas. Hosting more than 2,000 event days per year, LVMS is also one of the busiest sports facilities as well.
The speedway opened in 1996 as the brain child of 2004 Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame inductee Richie Clyne. In 1998, the NASCAR Cup Series made its first stop ever in Las Vegas with the inaugural Las Vegas 400. That event has been run annually since
and has become one of the crown jewels on the NASCAR schedule.
Charlotte-based Speedway Motorsports purchased the speedway in December of 1998 and has continued to make improvements to the speedway which has it recognized worldwide as one of the most prominent motorsports venues. In 2000, the speedway added the state-of-the-art dragway, which is one of only three dragstrips to host two NHRA national events. In 2018, NASCAR added a playoff race to the speedway’s calendar
OPENED: September 15, 1996
CLAIM TO FAME: Largest sports venue in Nevada and home toNASCAR, NHRA and many other local and regional racing events.
making it one of very few speedways to host more than one NASCAR Cup Series race per year.
LVMS has also branched far beyond the racing world. Since 2011, the speedway has hosted the Electric Daisy Carnival – the largest electronic music festival in North America that draws almost a half million people over three days. The speedway also has hosted thousands of corporate events, is home to multiple driving schools as well as research companies. LVMS even hosted golf’s long-drive competition once.
LVMS also gives back in the community as its Speedway Children’s Charities chapter has given out almost $5 million dollars to Las Vegas area charities since its inception in 1999.
An accomplished athlete at both the high school and collegiate level, Karen Weitz never set out to be a coach, much less one of the most successful girls’ high school basketball coaches in the country. However, Weitz’s college career led her on this journey. She played collegiate basketball at both Boise State and then Scottsdale Community College. She then earned a scholarship in track and field at UNLV. In 1988, Weitz won the National Title in javelin and was named 1st Team All-American. Weitz graduated from UNLV in 1992 and began her teaching and coach-
it was the first time in 21 years that a school from southern Nevada won a large-school state girls’ basketball title.
ing career.
While at Swainston Middle School in Las Vegas, she led the first-year girls’ middle school program to the city championship during the 1994-95 season. In 1999, Weitz went to the newly opened Centennial High School to teach physical education and run the girls’ basketball program.
The first Centennial team won the division title, city championship and posted a 30-1 record before losing in the state playoffs. In 2002, Weitz’s team won the Nevada large-school state basketball championship and completed a perfect 34-0 season. That year,
Weitz is known as a skillful coach and teacher who exemplifies competitiveness, while instilling the development of life skills. She has built her programs on discipline, setting high standards and accountability. Her teams also have been nationally ranked. That philosophy led to success. In fact, no coach has won more games in Nevada high school basketball history than Weitz. With more than 700 wins and counting as the girls’ coach at Cheyenne and Centennial, she has built a dynasty with 14 state championships, including eight straight titles.
In May of 2022, she took on the responsibility of coaching the Centennial boys’ teams, in addition to staying on to oversee the girls team.
BORN: June 5, 1968
CLAIM TO FAME: Weitz has won 14 state championships and recorded more than 700 wins.
The Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame has contributed and supported dozens of charities throughout Southern Nevada. This is what sports can do.
• After School All-Stars
• Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy
• Boy’s and Girl’s Clubs of Henderson
• Boy’s and Girl’s Clubs of Las Vegas
• Clark County Public Education Foundation
• Cox Celebrates Reading Program
• Embrace the Game
• First Tee of Southern Nevada
• Goodie Two Shoes Foundation
• Greg and Kathy Maddux Foundation
• Marty Barrett Little League
• Mountain West Conference Kids Day
• National Football Foundation Hall of Fame
• Nevada Reading Week
• Passion Tennis
• Public Education Foundation
• Raising Cane’s High School Football
Hydration Campaign
• See Me Smile
• Southern Nevada Girls Fast
Pitch Softball Association
• Special Olympics of Nevada
• UNLV Athletics Scholarship Fund
• UNLV Board of Regents Endowment
• UNLV Boxing
• UNLV Soccer
• YMCA Strong Kids Campaign
Over the last 25 years, the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame has impacted thousands of youth through scholarships, outreach and more. We look forward to the next 25 years and thank everyone for being involved.
Ever since the Dollar Loan Center in Henderson opened in 2022, a drawing card has been the official home exhibit of the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame.
Who knows how many thousands of fans—local and visiting—have gazed upon the state-of-the-art display that honors each of the Hall’s inductees in sparkling fashion.
“Without reservation, this is one of the most exciting developments in the history of the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame,” said 2022 SNSHF Chairman Dale Eeles upon christening of the new location. “We are extremely grateful and appreciative to Vegas Golden Knights Chairman and CEO Bill Foley, Kerry Bubolz and the entire organization for making this long-awaited vision a reality.”
Not only did the new exhibit—complete with video, motion display and memorabilia—make its debut in 2022, the induction ceremony was
held at the DLC for the first time. Hundreds of supporters, inductees, sponsors, scholarship recipients and family members gathered to celebrate the class of 2022 and the new home.
“It was an amazing evening,” said Jim Lambright, executive director. “We had great success at The Orleans arena for over 12 years and they treated us first class. Now we feel that our attendees and community have embraced the new venue because of the permanent display in the concourse in addition to the Dollar Loan Center being a first-class facility with an amazing staff. It truly feels like our home. It is the perfect place to continue our mission of honoring our inductees in a first-class facility while also raising funds to help young athletes through-
out Southern Nevada.”
Upon reflection, 2023 SNSHF Chairman John Saccenti revealed how important the new location is to the Hall’s mission.
“It is a perfect location for our home exhibit and our annual induction ceremony,” Saccenti said. “It is a hometown arena located in one of our great communities and allows so many sports fans to view the exhibit during each event. It gives our Hall of Fame and inductees terrific visibility.”
The 6,000-seat Dollar Loan Center is located in the heart of Henderson and is the home of the Henderson Silver Knights hockey club and Las Vegas Knight Hawks indoor football team. The venue also hosts college basketball, concerts, community events and more.
