Southern Nevada hall to add five by Steve Carp , Las Vegas Review-Journal
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
Like so many athletes, Robert Smith wanted to give something back to his community after he was done competing. So Smith coached basketball.
Now, the point guard who helped lead UNLV to its first Final Four appearance in 1977 is getting a thank-you from the community. Smith will be inducted into the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame on June 5 at the Orleans Arena.
Joining Smith as inductees for the Class of 2009 will be distance runner Frank Plasso Jr., longtime high school wrestling coach Jimmy May, local hotel owner and sports benefactor Michael Gaughan and the National Finals Rodeo.
"It's humbling," Smith, 54, said. "I always wanted to be a positive person, and this solidifies that part of my life."
Smith remains UNLV's career leader in free throw percentage at 87.8 percent, and he's also the single-season leader, making 93 percent of his tries in 1976-77. He played seven years in the NBA, four more in the Continental Basketball Association and spent seven years playing in France. Smith coached nine years at Bishop Gorman High School, winning two state titles and finishing as runner-up twice.
"I remembered when I retired from basketball, I asked myself, 'What can I do to give back?'?" said Smith, who still coaches at the Andre Agassi Boys and Girls Club. "I always felt a responsibility to the Las Vegas community, which had been so supportive of me when I was in college."
While Smith's coaching accomplishments at Gorman are impressive, they pale in comparison to May's success at Eldorado High School. The Sundevils dominated on the mat during May's 22 years as coach, winning 10 state titles and 18 regional championships.
"I had a lot of help," May said by phone from Baldwin City, Kan., where he is starting up a wrestling program at Baker University, an NAIA school. "But the No. 1 highlight was my son Danny winning two state championships. We had a lot of success as a team and I had a lot of success as a coach, but to have success as a father, nothing tops that."
May, 54, who was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2008, said the Southern Nevada honor is special.
"To be in the same company as (former prep baseball coach) Rodger Fairless, a close friend of mine, and so many other great coaches, athletes and contributors, it's a whole new ballgame," May said. "The wrestling hall of fame honor is great, but this is special because it represents all of Southern Nevada, a place I spent so many years."
Plasso, the first runner up for induction, won more than 250 races during his career, ranging from the mile to the marathon. His personal best in the marathon was 2 hours, 12 minutes, 36 seconds, set in winning the 1986 Las Vegas Marathon.
"I always hoped that one day I would be recognized for my accomplishments," said Plasso, who attended Bishop Gorman, went to UNLV on a track scholarship and eventually became an elite distance runner, representing the United States in the World Marathon Championships.
Plasso, 49, said that having his three children - Franchesca, Christian and Finneghan - experience the honor makes it extra special.
"My kids never saw me compete," he said. "This will give them a chance to see what Dad did all those years."
Gaughan, who has lived in Las Vegas since 1952 and has been a major player in the local resort industry for five decades, has been a huge supporter of sports in the community. He helped bring the NFR to Las Vegas and also helped bring back minor league hockey - the Wranglers - when he built an arena at The Orleans. He also operated a racing team, which competed in NASCAR's Nationwide Series and Truck series.
"I remember when a Class D (baseball) game at the old Cashman Field was considered a big thing," Gaughan said. "We've come a long way as a sports community."
As for his honor, Gaughan was humbled.
"It's very nice, but I always thought sports halls of fame were for athletes," he said.
The NFR, which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary at the Thomas & Mack Center, has had a nongaming economic impact of more than $700 million since its arrival in 1985.
Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.
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