26th Annual Hall of Fame Banquet

The 26th Induction Banquet was held on June 8th, 2008 to a SOLD OUT audience at the Ventura Marriott Beach Hotel. We are happy to announce this year Hall of Fame Inductees.

Jim Bittner: For the past 29 years, the head football coach at Moorpark College. His teams have compiled a record of 194-108-2. Bittner, 72, and wife Margaret have two children: Jimmy and Mary.

Ernie Carrasco III: The 1979 graduate of Channel Islands was the Marmonte League Player of the Year in both football and baseball in his senior year. He played minor league baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals. He currently teaches and coaches at Channel Islands High. Carrasco, 48, and wife Lily have three children: Teresa, Ernest and Daniel.

Steve Hoffman: The women's soccer coach at Ventura College since 1996. His teams have a record of 210-36-32 with 11 consecutive Western State Conference titles. Hoffman, 51, and wife Kathryn have three children: Melanie, Joey and Jaimie.

Kevin Smith: The boys' and girls' cross country and track and field coach at Oak Park High since 1986. In track and field and in cross country, his teams have won 21 Tri-Valley League titles in each sport. His cross country teams have combined for seven CIF-SS championships. Smith, 51, and his wife Karlene have two children: Lauren and Emily.

Guillemo “Willie” Ruiz: A former soccer standout at Simi Valley High and Cal Lutheran. At CLU, he was a three-time all-conference player who still owns six program records. Ruiz, 36, and wife Cecilia have two children: Yashin and Kiara.

Athletes of the Year will also honored. Ventura County high schools, community colleges and California Lutheran University are represented at the Banquet by a male and female Athlete of the Year chosen by their administrations. The Hall of Fame Athletes of the Year are highly athletically and academically accomplished young men and women. More on these Athletes of the Year will be available following the banquet in June. Please check back for photos and other happenings after the banquet.

Hall of Fame Opens Permanent Exhibit at California Lutheran University
Through the generosity of CLU, the Ventura County Sports Hall of Fame will finally have a permanent home. The Hall display area is on the mezzanine of the magnificent Gilbert Sports and Fitness Center which will be officially opened on Saturday, October 21st at 11 a.m. The Hall of Fame is accessed directly off the elevator and up the stairs.
The inaugural display will feature the Inductees of 1983, the first year of the Hall, and those of 2006. The display area will be entirely completed later, hopefully in the next year. The Hall is a non-profit organization and depends totally on donations for its existence.

The Ventura County Hall of Fame is a monument to excellence. Each item or member in the Hall of Fame is a reminder of the triumph of the human spirit. They are proof that the capacity for excellence exists within each of us. We share the accomplishments of our fellow human beings
even as we honor them. Recognizing distinguished athletes and honoring their achievements is the objective of the Hall of Fame. Please see Eligibility Requirements for Nomination instructions.