7 sports figures to be inducted into RGV Hall of Fame

MISSION, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The 36th annual Rio Grande Valley Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is kicking off this weekend.

The ticketed event will begin at 6 p.m. on Saturday at the Mission Events Center.

Founded in 1985, seven figures will be inducted into this year's RGV Hall of Fame. Of those seven individuals, four will be women and three men: Shelly Duffey of Edinburg, Jesse Gutierrez of McAllen, Bert Lozano of Mission, Magda Canales of McAllen, Michelle Denise Martin of Edinburg, Darbie Bruning of Brownsville, and Sam Ayoub of San Benito.

"It's a special day for me in the history of sports," said MAgda Canales, Rowe Head Volleyball Coach. "It's just amazing to be accepted into the Hall of Fame for the Rio Grande Valley and it's just a great honor to be here."

Four athletes, one coach, one game official and one trainer make up this year's list.

"I'm so thankful for the opportunity," said Michelle Denise Martin, Edinburg High School Alum.

"I hope I can hold it together, I have a lot of people to be thankful to," said Shelly Duffey, Edinburg North High School Alum. "My coaches are gonna be here, my teammates are gonna be here, of course my family is gonna be here. I'm very thankful for all of them."

In addition to those being honored, there will be three teams that are added to the Hall of Fame.

Those three teams are the 1974 Mercedes Tigers state finalist baseball team, the 1974 Lyford girls state semifinalist basketball team and the 3-time state semifinalists Raymondville Bearkats girls basketball teams from 1966-68.