Ex-Rebel heads local Hall class

Freddie Banks never made it to the NBA. But he still feels like a Hall of Famer in his hometown.

"I think giving back to the kids, sharing my experiences, helping them become good citizens is more important," said the former Valley High School and UNLV basketball star, who was a member of the Rebels' 1987 Final Four team. "I'm proud of what I did on the court. But I'm even prouder of what I've done off it."

Banks, an assistant basketball coach at Canyon Springs High School, will be honored June 4 at the Orleans Arena as part of the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame's Class of 2010.

Joining Banks will be Dick Calvert, the longtime public-address announcer at UNLV; Fred Darling, who helped build the American Legion Baseball program in Las Vegas; Ralph Meder, who helped develop the early baseball skills of future major leaguers Greg and Mike Maddux, Mike Morgan, Marty Barrett and Danny Opperman; longtime umpire and referee Bruce Bayne; and the Fertitta Family, which grew the Ultimate Fighting Championship into a multibillion-dollar entity.

Banks, the fifth individual basketball player to be enshrined, following Lionel Hollins (2001), Greg Anthony (2006), Larry Johnson (2008) and Robert Smith (2009), said he's honored to be in such exclusive company.

"That means a lot to me," Banks said. "When you see the success Greg has had and what Lionel has done in basketball, to be with those guys, who also grew up here, along with L.J. and Robert, two of the greatest Rebels, to me, that is very special."

Calvert, who introduced Banks throughout his UNLV career as "The Voice of the Thomas & Mack Center," said he's overwhelmed by the honor.

"The whole thing is very strange, and I'm having a difficult time understanding it," said Calvert, who, in addition to his five decades as UNLV's public-address announcer, was a longtime soccer broadcaster and called three World Cups on radio, including the United States' 1-0 victory over Colombia at the Rose Bowl during the 1994 tournament. "I know the importance and significance of the honor, and I'm very humbled to have been selected."

Darling, Bayne and Meder have played an active role in the growth of youth baseball in Las Vegas.

"There's a lot of people who've contributed their time, money and effort to help the kids," said Darling, who began his association with youth baseball back in the late 1970s when he was president of Paradise Little League and moved on to Legion ball in 1981. "I've always loved baseball, and I always believed that the kids in Las Vegas had the talent to succeed.''

Meder, who died in 1983, was represented by his granddaughter, Stacy Gomez.

Bayne, who umpired baseball and officiated football and basketball for more than 30 years, including a stint as a professional umpire in the Pacific Coast League, also coached football at Western High and Bonanza High.

"It means a lot," he said. "It makes me feel good to see how good baseball has become here, and it's because of people like Fred and Ralph. It's an honor to be associated with them and the other members of the Hall of Fame."

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.