Henry Cejudo leads inductees at city’s sports Hall of Fame ceremony

Henry Cejudo requested that everyone raise their glasses Tuesday night.

The four-time high school state wrestling champion, Olympic gold medalist and former UFC fly and bantamweight champion watched as the crowd obliged during the 24th annual Colorado Springs Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony, hosted by the Colorado Springs Sports Corp.

As the audience at The Broadmoor World Arena held their glasses toward Cejudo, he informed them that lifes journey is about the experience, not success.

We are all imperfect people, Cejudo said.

Maybe we didnt accomplish everything we set out to do.

But we went out and we went for it and I think thats the most important part: What is it that the experience teaches us.

Cejudo headlined a star-studded hall-of-fame class that included: former Colorado College volleyball coach Rick Swan; former St.

Marys High School golfer Lauren Howe, who golfed on the boys team and earned the top spot; Sierra graduate Chucky Jeffery, who played for the New York Liberty and Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA in the 2010s; USA Hockey coach Lou Vairo; Superintendent of the Air Force Academy and former Falcons football player Lt.

Gen.

Richard M.

Clark; the 1997 Sierra boys basketball team and the 1983 Coronado volleyball team.

Cejudo, who went to Coronado his junior and senior seasons enjoyed the years of preps success before his Olympics and UFC career, said his parents came to this country to live the American Dream.

His family lived in Phoenix prior to the move to Colorado and Cejudo thanked those who mentored him after the transition from Arizona.

I want to thank my teachers who were able to take this kid who was culture shocked at Coronado, Cejudo said.

My past school at Maryvale on the westside of Phoenix was predominantly Mexican.

Thank you for adopting this kid who was able to realize his dreams.

And as Cejudo thanked various mentors and people who helped prop him to his level of success, so did Clark, who quoted Fisher DeBerry, his former coach at Air Force.

He always said, If you see a turtle sitting on a fence post, you know it didnt get there by itself, Clark said.

I am the epitome of a turtle sitting on a fence post.

I was a good player but I was not a great player.

I was on great teams because of the great people around me and that has been the story of my life.

Clark said he got more out of sports and athletics than it ever gave me, and added that it provided perspective in difficult situations in life.

Youre sitting in an airplane getting ready to go into combat and youre thinking, What am I going to do now, Clark said.

And it reminds you of the time that you walk out on the field and you saw a six-foot-eight, 400-pound lineman and you said, What am I going to do now? You knew you had to rely on your training and, more importantly, on your teammates to help you get through.

Much like Jeffery did during her basketball career.

While at University of Colorado Boulder, Jeffery became the first player in program history to record 1,600 points, 900 rebounds and 400 assists.

Jefferys collegiate success earned her a spot in the 2013 WNBA Draft where the Minnesota Lynx selected the Stallions grad with the 23rd overall pick.

Jeffery also played for the New York Liberty before a fruitful stint with overseas basketball.

But rather than gloat about accolades or awards, Jeffery thanked her family and friends, who she said supported her journey from high school to the pros.

Special thanks to my pops who always helped keep my head straight ...

and to my MVP, my mother who always made things happen for me, Jeffery said.

And my sisters for showing up to all the sporting events and activities that we had.

Yelling from the stands and possibly doing illegal speeds to make sure she made it for the tip-off in time in Boulder.

...

Thank you for the lessons and for molding me into who I am today.

You are the blueprint.

Special award recipients Colonel F.

Don Miller sports service award Dave Shackelford Tom Osborne 2024 Rocky Mountain State Games outstanding commissioner award Dave and Judy Lehman tennis Rocky Mountain State Games athlete of the year Chandler DeLoach judo Thayer Tutt sportsman award David Weinstein Pikes Peak Community Legacy Award United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee.

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