Sports Hall of Fame finds home at Findlay Toyota

The Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame has a new home at Findlay Toyota in the Valley Automall.

The prestigious collection of top athletes, coaches, promoters and boosters, which started with induction of former Bishop Gorman/Nebraska and NFL quarterback David Humm in 1997, is situated in the dealership’s community room on the second floor.

Returning to Findlay Toyota where it was first housed before moving to the Galleria at Sunset mall, the hall, which has outgrown two locations, has 79 inductees featured in the 4,000-square-foot room.

The move from the Galleria was no small task and took about two weeks to complete. Spearheading the move was Ralph Lovell, who wears many hats, including business solutions and fleet manager.

Using a 2014 Toyota Tundra, Lovell made the 4-mile move Oct. 25.

“Not only do we have the trophy cases, but there also are 70 huge full-sized portraits along with the biography for each inductee,” said Lovell, who has worked with Findlay Automotive Group for 20 years. “The room is heavily populated because Findlay Toyota offers the room at no charge for local businesses and organizations including the Girl Scouts, Southern Nevada Referees Association, Little League sign-ups and countless events.”

Findlay Toyota invested more than $20,000 to retrofit the room.

The community room is archived with footage of every inductee ceremony that will run continually.

Rick Glenn, who headed the original hall induction ceremony at Arizona Charlie’s, said the hall has experienced incredible growth that started as a tribute to Humm.

“David’s daughter was 5 at the time of the original event,” Glenn said. “One of our proudest moments was having David visit the room and reflect on the amazing growth of the hall at the same time. To top it all off, he was here to co-sign for his daughter’s first car. It was a proud moment for her dad and Findlay Toyota, too.”

Some of the inductees joining Humm in the Hall are former UNLV and NBA greats Larry Johnson, Greg Anthony and Stacy Augmon; former Rancho High School and Arizona State star Lionel Hollins; and former pro football players Randall Cunningham, Gerald Riggs, Steven Jackson and Mike Pritchard.

Former Major League baseball players in the hall include Marty Barrett, Matt Williams, Mike and Greg Maddux; and Olympians Tasha Schwikert and Lori Harrigan.

Other women who have been included are UNLV Athletic Director Tina Kunzer-Murphy, golfer Stephanie Loudon, heptathlon champion Sheila Tarr and pro bowler Wendy McPherson.

Community leaders include South Point owner Michael Gaughan, Findlay Automotive Chairman Cliff Findlay, pro tennis star Andre Agassi, Ultimate Fighting Championship President Dana White and Findlay Toyota General Manager Rich Abajian.

Abajian got the idea of honoring Humm during Humm’s initial battle with multiple sclerosis. At the time there was no thought of having a Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame. The hall is committed to supporting and enhancing Southern Nevada youths’ lives.

The hall will announce the 2014 inductees at 2 p.m. Feb. 8 at Findlay Toyota at 7733 Eastgate Road in Henderson. Expected to be included among the special guests is Gov. Brian Sandoval.

For more information, visit www.halloffame.net or call 702-566-2000.