Parks and Rec Commission Signs Off On Sports Hall of Fame

The San Clemente Beaches, Parks and Recreation Commission on Tuesday signed off on Mayor Jim Evert's planned San Clemente Sports Hall of Fame.

The program would be entirely run by the independent Friends of San Clemente Beaches, Parks and Recreation Foundation, and would consist of a seven- to nine-person committee. They would select each year successful athletes nominated by the community who either grew up in San Clemente or lived in town while their professional sports career was ongoing.

The nominees would be awarded their spots at a fundraising dinner and ceremony held by the foundation, and their names would be commemorated with a plaque on the wall of the mechanical building at the Vista Hermosa Sports Park Aquatic Center.

The commission's consensus was that it shouldn't have any involvement with the selection process; the independent Friends foundation would be a good buffer between the city and groups or individuals potentially accusing the selection committee of playing politics.

Members expressed support but wanted input from the Beaches, Parks and Recreation Commission.