2016.06.24

Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame Announces Class of 2016

Hall of Fame celebrating its 20th year in Las Vegas

At a ceremony today at the Orleans Arena, the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame celebrated its 20th anniversary and enshrined the four inductees that make up the Class of 2016. This diverse class includes the 1997-98 UNLV National Championship Golf Team, Marty Cordova, Frank Mir and Sig Rogich. Including this induction class, the Hall of Fame now consists of 93 members.

“The class of 2016 represents a diverse group of Southern Nevadans who have accomplished great things in the Las Vegas community,” said Hall of Fame Executive Director Dan Dolby. “In this, our 20th anniversary class, we will honor a championship team, two accomplished athletes and a dedicated advocate for sports in Southern Nevada. I am humbled by the outstanding group of inductees that currently reside in the SNSHOF, and we are thrilled to bestow upon this class the state’s highest sports honor in welcoming them to the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame.”

In one of college golf’s most compelling stories, the 1997-1998 UNLV National Championship Men’s Golf Team put together a season for the record books. The Rebels, led by Coach Dwaine Knight, won just about everything in sight in that magical season that culminated with UNLV winning the national championship at the University of New Mexico’s Championship Golf Course (par 72, 7,248 yards), fittingly at Knight’s alma mater and in his hometown. The top-ranked Rebels withstood a final-round rally from Clemson and won their first-ever NCAA men’s golf title by three shots. Rebels who teed it up for the record-setting victory were Chris Berry (tied for second individually), Bill Lunde (tied for 15th), Charley Hoffman (tied for 20th), Jeremy Anderson (tied for 29th) and Scott Lander (tied for 37th). The scoring total was the lowest in the history of the NCAA Championships. Other members of that team included Daron Dorsey, Scott Wingfield and Christian Thornley.

Born in Las Vegas, Nev., Cordova was an outstanding baseball player from a very young age. As a graduate of Bishop Gorman High School, he became an outstanding MLB prospect. Cordova broke into the big leagues with the Twins in 1995, hitting .277 with 24 homers and 85 RBIs. Following that stellar season, Cordova was named the American League Rookie of the Year. The next season was his best as a professional when he had career highs in batting average (.309), RBI (111), runs (97) and doubles (46). He went on to play for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2000, the Cleveland Indians in 2001 and the Baltimore Orioles in 2002-03. During his nine-season Major League career, he was a .274 hitter, belting 122 home runs and 540 RBI in 952 games.

A two-time UFC heavyweight champion who is widely considered to be one of the best big men of all-time in the sport of mixed martial arts, Mir’s accomplishments in the Octagon are ever present for the world to see, but his career has not been based on pure athleticism or technique. Instead, Mir’s rise to the top is a testament to the power of determination against all odds, making him a shining example to the Las Vegas community he has been a part of his entire life. A graduate of Bonanza High School in Las Vegas, Mir began competing in the UFC at 22 years of age. He won the UFC heavyweight title in June of 2004 by defeating Tim Sylvia, but was derailed three months later when we was blindsided by a car while riding his motorcycle. A year and a half after the accident, Mir defied the odds by returning to the Octagon and eventually regained the UFC heavyweight title in December of 2008. His most recent bout was held March 20, 2016 in Brisbane, Australia.

Rogich is a life-long Nevadan who has dedicated his life to public service, athletics and promoting business development in the State. He currently serves as president of The Rogich Communications Group, an international advisory firm that specializes in the areas of business development, crisis communications, strategic planning, issues management, media relations, campaigns and government affairs. In the world of sports, Rogich has been influential through his involvement in the Nevada Athletic Commission and the Advisory Committee on Boxer Health and Safety. He also served as vice president of the World Boxing Council where he spearheaded brain/health studies at UCLA and assisted in funding the program. Rogich has also been a benefactor of UNLV. He led the effort to bring Jerry Tarkanian to Las Vegas, negotiated his contract and secured all of his media endorsements.

Also recognized this evening were the four Rich Abajian Leadership Scholarship winners. The group included graduating seniors Christian Montenegro (Desert Oasis High School), Kasdyn Rafie (Palo Verde High School), Nathalie Martinez (Valley High School) and Christian Ong (Clark High School).

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 donated 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.