CHS honors four new HOF InducteesBy Don EskinsThe Carlsbad High School Athletic Department will take time out tonight to honor four CHS alumni, during half time ceremoniesof the Cavemen vs Centennial football game, by inducting them into the Carlsbad High School Athletic Hall of Fame.This year’s list of inductees were recently released to the public by Carlsbad High School Athletic Director James Johns.“I want to communicate with you that the Carlsbad Municipal Schools will be inducting four new members into the Carlsbad High School Athletic Hall of Fame,” said Johns in a press release. “The ‘Class of 2021’ members to be inducted are as follows:”• Veronica Gonzales –High School State Champion and College All-Conference Javelin (Pictured at right) • Terrance Orgain –World and National Champion runner with Special Olympics• George Wilson Knapp –High School All-State and College All-Conference football player and coach at the high school and college level•John Tigert –Over 600 wins, 11 state titles in high school softball and member of National High School Coaches Hall of FameCarlsbad High’s athletic department has taken time each year to honor it’s former athletes. But why, when so many prep schools don’t, has it become such a priority for Carlsbad High.“It’s really an honor for our CHS athletic department to celebrate the many accomplishments of CHS alumni that have contributed to the on-going tradition and culture of Caveman and Cavegirl pride,” said Johns. “It sends a loud message to the students and to the community of Carlsbad that we value these individuals and are very proud of them.”The Class of 2021 has proven to be no different.“We have a World Champion in Terrance Orgain. To know he did this in China was so outstanding. In JohnTigert we have the winninest softball coach in New Mexico history. “Already a member of the National Softball Hall of Fame and having just retired,” said the CHS AD. “Sending him off with CHS Hall of Fame honors was a very special way for us to wish him well.”“We’ve also taken the time to look back at the many outstanding students to have graduated from CHS and in doing so we realized that we needed to induct Coach George Knapp, who excelled not only as a football player, but also as a coach and high school administrator,” said Johns. “We were also impressed with the accomplishments of Veronica Gonzales who, as a member of the Cavegirl track program, participated in a sport that had just recently been offered to girls, the javelin.” Qualifications for nomination into the CHS Hall of Fame are as follows 1. Brought distinction to the community of Carlsbad and its high school athletic program from high school, post-high school or college level success, 2. Being named All-Conference, 3. Being named All-American, 4. Play for a professional team or 5. Reaching a national honor at the high school, post high school or college level that is deemed worthy.CARLSBAD ATHLETIC’S HALL OF FAMEClass of 2021 InducteesJohn TigertSoftball Coach/Athletic Director1963–Carlsbad High School Graduating Class11 Time State Softball New Mexico State Championship Titles8 Time State Softball New Mexico State Runner-ups25 District Championships620 Career Wins5 Time New Mexico Coach of the Year 4 Time Region 8 Coach of the YearFounder of the New Mexico All-Star Softball Game12 Years -National Softball Chairman1996-Member of the New Mexico Coaches Hall of Honor1996–NHSACA National Coach of the Year1996–National Federation –National Coach of the Year2009–NHSACA Hall of FameVeronica Gonzales-BruceTrack and Field2001–Carlsbad High School Graduating Class2000-High School State Placer –New Mexico State Championships -Javelin2001-High School -Undefeated Season –Javelin2001–High School –New Mexico State Champion –Javelin2002-2005–University of New Mexico Track and Field-Letterman –Javelin2003–Mountain Western Conference -6th Place2004–All-Mountain Western Conference Honors -3rd Place–Javelin2005–All-Mountain Western Conference Honors-3rd Place –Javelin2003 -2005-3 Time NCAA Regional Conference Qualifier 2002-2005–Academic All-Mountain Western Conference Terrance OrgainTrack and Field
2004–Carlsbad High School Graduating Class2002-2004–High School All-District and State Meet Qualifier 2013–Graduate of Eastern New Mexico University-Track TeamSpecial Olympics Standout30 Time New Mexico State Champion3 Time National Champion -200 Meter/400 Meters/Javelin2009-World Champion -200 Meters–Shanghai, China George Wilson KnappFootball/Coaching1947–Carlsbad High School Graduating Class1945-1946–2Time New Mexico All-State –Carlsbad High School Football1947-New Mexico All-Star Football Team –South Team Captain1949-1950–2 Time -All –Conference Football Team -UNM1952 -1956–Assistant Football Coach –Carlsbad High School -1 State Title1952-1954–Assistant Basketball Coach –Carlsbad High School -1 State Title1956 -1963–Head Football Coach –Lovington High School -3 State Titles1967 -1971–Offensive Coordinator Football –University of Texas ElPaso