Sports

Union City Athletes Honored at Hall of Fame Banquet

2010 Hall of Fame inductees include track and field stars, professional football and baseball athletes and the 1985 boys basketball team, among others.

Union City honored some of its brightest stars this weekend.

The third annual Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet honored new inductees and featured an assortment of locally bred talent.

Nearly 300 people attended the event, held at the Fremont Marriot Silicon Valley. The evening highlighted the talents and efforts of seven individuals, along with the 1985 boys basketball team.

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"Athletics is such an important part of any school," said Rhonda Neagle, vice principal of Logan, speaking on behalf of principal Amy McNamara who was out of town. "They guide students as they navigate their teenage years."

Among the honorees was Gary Alexander, class of 1982, who played for the University of Arizona and won a national title in 1986. An all-tournament team pitcher and designated hitter in the 1986 College World Series, he went on to play for the Philadelphia Phillies and Texas Rangers. He currently coaches baseball at Freedom High School in Oakley.

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"What a class," Alexander said of the inductees. "It makes me proud to be amongst them."

Tuineau Alipate, class of 1984, came to Union City from Tonga at the age of 6, unable to speak a single word of English. A lifelong student of New Haven schools, he credited his teachers, coaches, and the support system at Logan for his success.

"We have great coaches and people who will help you. And I'm an example of that," said Alipate, who is also a nephew of the Queen of Tonga.

Alipate was the first Logan player to receive a full scholarship to a four-year university. After fielding offers from many colleges, he chose Washington State University. Despite an injury his senior year, he went on to play professionally in Canada before playing in the NFL with the New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings. Now retired, he's currently a commercial real estate broker.

He traveled from Minnesota to attend the evening's hall of fame induction.

The hall of fame induction honored not only athletes, but staff such as Sam and Gilda Caravallo.

Sam served as a coach for multiple sports at various New Haven schools for 30 years, with wife Gilda always by his side. Gilda supported Sam and the athletics programs by working booths, tracking scores and making baked goods. The couple received a standing ovation when called to the podium to give their acceptance speech.

While they now divide their time between Union City and Hawaii, Sam vowed to continue working with the district.

"We can't have an athletic department without people like this," said Coach Lee Webb, who's worked at Logan for 27 years.

Other honorees included track and field star Talia Stewart, class of 2004, a two-time state champion in the 100-meter hurdles with a best time of 13.33 seconds; Mike Louisiana, class of 1966, who won a national collegiate championship in the discus; class of 1994 wrestler Artemio Flores, who won a state championship; and the entire 1985 boys basketball team, who finished as state championship runner-ups. The team was led by current Cal State University East Bay men's basketball coach Will Biggs, who introduced the team at the banquet.

Each inductee shared memories from the podium.

Flores praised the efforts of his father, who drove him to be a better wrestler.

Stewart shared a story of how Coach Webb called her father, Paul Stewart, because she didn't lift weights during practice one day. Her father drove his kids to achieve their best in track and field, and so far three of his daughters have received scholarships to run for four-year universities.

Louisiana spent so much time reminiscing that Logan athletic director Tom Rosenthal gave him the red light to stop.

"Tom, I'm bigger than you," Louisiana joked, challenging Rosenthal, a former wrestler, to a match and drawing laughter from the crowd.

The star-studded night was a who's who of Union City, including former New Haven Unified School District superintendent Guy Emanuele, former coaches and alumni.

Though not from Union City, athletes Alvin Harrison, who won a gold medal in the 2000 Summer Olympics in the 4 x 400-meter relay, and Stephanie Brown-Grafton, who won a gold medal in discus throwing at the 2008 Summer Olympics, were in attendance. Both are friends of Webb.

The event also featured a silent auction of Logan coach Lee Webb's collection of Olympics memorabilia.

The banquet was a bookend to a triumphant week for Logan. The over Fremont's Washington High School on Friday night, with the boy's cross-country team winning the MVAL championship on Wednesday.

"Logan has been fortunate to have great athletes, instructors and supporters," Vice Principal Neagle said in her speech. "May the mighty Colts continue to be so privileged."


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