The Hall of Fame at Pahrump Valley High School began as a vision brought to life by Athletic Director and football coach Brian Hug. Having seen the success of a Hall of Fame at a previous school, Hug wanted to bring the same spirit to Pahrump Valley. He wanted to create a way to honor athletes, coaches, and community members who had contributed to the school’s athletic success over the years. He didn’t undertake this task alone, however—several key individuals played a crucial role in building what would become a tradition of recognizing excellence at PVHS.
One of the central figures who helped bring the Hall of Fame to life was Trina Daffer. While she wasn’t an athlete herself, Mrs. Daffer was heavily involved in the school’s sports programs and eager to help. She joined Hug, along with a number of other coaches, in forming the initial committee that would set the groundwork for the Hall of Fame. “I don’t play sports, but I’m involved in a lot of sports,” Mrs. Daffer said, explaining her desire to contribute to the project.
Together, they developed the criteria for induction, which centered around honoring individuals who excelled in multiple sports and were positive role models for the students. The committee was composed of coaches and staff members who were deeply familiar with the school’s history and the accomplishments of its athletes. People like Al Giannotti and Larry Goins were pivotal early contributors, providing insights and helping the committee select the first inductees.
Beyond athletes, the Hall of Fame also celebrates coaches who played pivotal roles in their team’s success and community supporters like Wulfenstein Construction, who generously invested in the school’s athletic programs. One of the biggest challenges when establishing the Hall of Fame was deciding who to induct, especially for the first class. With many names being suggested, the committee had to rely on the knowledge of those who had been involved with the school for years. Don McDermott, a sports editor at the Pahrump Valley Times, was instrumental in researching past athletes and providing the committee with detailed information on their accomplishments. His work helped ensure that the committee could make informed decisions about who should be honored. As Mrs. Daffer described, “He did so much research and gave us insight on these athletes. It was awesome.”
The selection process has evolved over time. Initially, nominations were largely based on input from coaches and staff, but now, community members can submit a nomination form available through the school’s athletic department. The form details the nominee’s accomplishments in high school and what they have achieved since, helping the committee make more informed decisions. Mrs. Daffer expressed the importance of this process, saying, “We’ve gotten a few forms back, and that’s really where we need to move to and rely on that all the way.”
As for the Hall of Fame committee, it consists of a mix of current and former coaches, including Steve Nygaard, Craig Rieger, and Larry Goins, among others. Although the committee changes slightly over the years, its mission remains consistent: to honor those who made a lasting impact on Pahrump Valley High School’s athletic history. The criteria for selection remains focused on multi-sport athletes, but standout single-sport athletes may also be considered.
Reflecting on the most rewarding part of the Hall of Fame, Mrs. Daffer said, “I just love seeing the kids come back.” Having been part of the school for many years, she enjoys reconnecting with former students and athletes, hearing their stories, and learning about their continued successes. She also appreciates learning about athletes from earlier decades and seeing the legacy they left behind.
Sara (Coleman) Colucci, who was inducted in 2010, reflected on her experience, sharing how deeply meaningful the honor was to her: “Being inducted into the PVHS Athletic Hall of Fame is a symbol of all the people that supported me along my athletic journey. Having a successful high school athletic career was due in large part to my parents, coaches, teachers, teammates, and community. I appreciate having had the opportunities to be surrounded by a community willing to make the necessary sacrifices to have successful athletic programs at PVHS. The memories and lifelong bonds created during practices, road trips, countless wins, tough losses, and ultimately five state championships will always be held close to my heart.”
Neil Cowley, who was inducted in 2008, expressed how much the recognition meant to him, stating, “Growing up here, living here and then being inducted into the Hall of Fame for something you love is one of the greatest honors. Having all your hard work pay off (Neil was State Champion in Wrestling his senior year) and then being inducted in the Hall Of Fame, it’s just such an honor.”
Lacie (Ward) Pearson, who was inducted in 2010, expressed her gratitude for being remembered: “I was thrilled to be inducted into the PVHS Hall of Fame! It felt like such an honor… it was so nice to be recognized for such long ago achievements, so wonderful to have not been forgotten.”
John Stevens, inducted in 2014, reflected on the significance of his induction: “Being inducted into the PVHS HOF is an incredible honor for which I am eternally grateful. I’m grateful for the teams I had the opportunity to be part of, the coaches who pushed us to be the best possible version of ourselves, the parents of each team who went all in and gave us everything we needed while making us earn everything we wanted, our teachers and school staff who held us accountable and helped round us out as people, and our community who truly rallied around us and made us proud to wear the maroon and gold. With those key pieces in place, my teammates and I were able to thrive, both on the field and off it.”
The Hall of Fame, which inducts new members every even year, has become an important tradition at Pahrump Valley High. Inductions are usually announced during the Friday night football game, followed by an inaugural dinner the next day. However, this year, with the game scheduled for Saturday, the dinner will take place on Friday night at Mountain Falls.
Looking ahead, Mrs. Daffer hopes that the Hall of Fame will continue to grow and attract more community involvement. While there have been efforts to engage past inductees, the attendance at the induction ceremonies each time has sometimes been limited. She hopes that as the Hall of Fame continues to evolve, more alumni will return to support and celebrate their fellow inductees.
For those interested in the Hall of Fame’s rich history, here is a list of members who have been inducted over the years, along with the year they were honored:
- 2007: Richard Empey, Mike Floyd, Ron & Charlotte Floyd, Al Giannotti, Larry Goins, Mike Kruse, Shari Longden-Gals, Rod Poteete, Charles Stevens, Maggie Veloz-Villa, Misti Ward-Scott, Janelle Ward-Veloz, Don Worden, Ray & Irene Wulfenstein
- 2008: Jeff Caha, Kelly Costley-Buffi, Neil Cowley, Ray DePalma, Melodie Eleogram, Amy Ellenwood, Felicia Fahey, Carl Kaucky, Gary Nerger, Pahrump Valley Youth Founders Club
- 2009: Floyd’s Ace Hardware, Ron Allison, Sherry Allison, Emily Cross-Smith, Jared Dillman, Bob Farthing, Ashley Hastings, Lori Hopkins, Jojo Worden-Brunelle
- 2010: Hans Batchelder, Sara Coleman, Kyle Floyd, Tim Hafen, Darla Hopkins, Rachel Pallan-Owens, Veronica Villa, Lacie Ward-Pearson
- 2011: Mike Empey, Xavier Gardea, Chad Goins, Breanne Kukurin, Tim Worden
- 2012: Lisa Hamrick, Robert Hopkins, Dominique Maloy, Dan & Gail Mills
- 2013: Elias Armendariz, Julie Floyd, Don McDermott, Keith Steib
- 2014: McKenzie Dean, John Stevens, Matthew Stevens, Jathan Ward
- 2015: Paul Giannotti, Cindy Kaucky Richardson, Frank Lopez, Dr. Michael Taylor, Lindsay Wines
- 2016: Daniel Daffer, Mark Findley, Tanya Hibdon Pike, Angelo Santovito, Zach Weldon
- 2018: James Chapman, Marty Daffer, Mike Elliot, Andy Floyd, Kris Foster, Steve Foster, Stoney Foster, Elliott Owens, Craig Rieger, Sydney Sladek, Terri Wulfenstein
- 2022: Andy Anderson, Jace Clayton, Cindy Colucci, Mike Colucci
Each of these individuals has contributed to the spirit of PVHS, and many continue to inspire future generations of students and athletes. By sharing their achievements, the Hall of Fame serves as a beacon of excellence, showcasing the potential of PVHS students and reinforcing the values of perseverance, sportsmanship, and community pride.
This year’s inductees will be honored at the homecoming football game on October 5. For anyone interested in supporting the Hall of Fame or nominating future inductees, please contact PVHS’ athletic department.
