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BELEN — There have been scores of memorable athletes and teams in the history of Belen High School, and soon there will be a way to officially immortalize their achievements.
This fall, the inaugural class of the Belen High School Athletic Hall of Fame will be revealed.
“I just felt Belen, with its storied history in a lot of different sports…we need to capture as many memories as we can,” said Jim Collins, athletic coordinator for Belen Consolidated Schools.
The idea of creating a hall of fame came to Collins after just a few weeks on the job while looking over trophies and banners on campus.
“Everyone was for it, for sure,” when the concept was suggested.
Collins anticipates the inaugural class will include eight individual athletes, four teams, four coaches and two or three “friends of Belen athletics — anyone who went above and beyond.”
In future years, the list of inductees will likely shrink, according to Collins.
A selection committee has been formed that includes Collins and a “diverse” group with ties, in some way, to the school district. The identities of committee members will remain a secret.
“I don’t want anyone to feel pressure when they are on the committee,” Collins said.
Committee members will serve a two-year term.
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Nominations can be submitted at beleneagles.org/o/bhs/live-feed#9525828.
“Give us as much information as you can,” Collins said, including statistics and other accomplishments. “Basically, they are selling their nominee. That’s important. We’re looking forward to having a big pool to choose from.”
If a nominee isn’t selected, their name will remain in the pool for future consideration.
The first honorees will be introduced at the home football game Thursday, Oct. 30 against Santa Fe Capital. It has been dubbed the “Hall of Fame Game,” and will be an annual event.
A banquet will also be held, Collins said, likely between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
“I’m super excited and I’m very impressed with the pride the community has,” Collins added.
