Student athletes from Granite Ridge Intermediate School got to tour the Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame in June. YouTube screengrab

Student athletes from Granite Ridge Intermediate School were able to have a first-of-its-kind experience of the Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame at the Save Mart Center.

The Hall of Fame began construction in 2021, inducting the class of 2022 as the first class to be recognized in its designated space on the Fresno State campus. The Hall of Fame started in 1959, initially founded by businessman John Voenes and Fresno Bee sports editor Ed Orman.

The students recently experienced the first of many planned student tours, learning from Hall of Fame inductees Yvette Roberts, Rod Perry and Ron Scott and their career journeys, according to a video produced by the Hall of Fame.

Gena Strang-Behrens was a Hall of Fame inductee in 2005 for softball, and is the board president. She praised the hard work the team put together for the students to have a complete experience with the Hall of Fame and to learn from the inductees.

“I learned so many life lessons playing sports that I use today in my work. I hope whether these kids compete in athletics or in something else, they learn to set goals and persevere through them,” said Strang-Behrns.

The inductees sought to inspire the students with their own tales of adversity.

“I learned there are a lot of hardships that you don’t expect these people to go through. It’s nice to know and relate to. This has been a pretty fun experience so far,” said Rey, a student from Granite Hills.

Roberts is a 2016 Hall of Fame inductee from Southwest Fresno. Roberts was a track and field and basketball star in her athletic career. She was a dual-athlete star before signing to play with Fresno State in 1984, setting records for points, rebounds and free throws. Roberts then went on to play at the MVP level in Europe’s pro leagues.

“I’ve always been a big stickler on how you get where I was and how you give that information to young children, teenagers and women to say it’s possible. I come from the southwest side of Fresno, so I know the struggle is real, but I also know the determination and working hard can get you a good job and avenues for success,” said Roberts.

Kinesiology students from the Pedagogy Club at Fresno State also participated in the event, helping the students experience the different aspects of the Hall of Fame.

Students at Fresno State, like Martín Lopez, were able to flex their leadership skills and help make sure the students received a fulfilling pilot experience.

“Getting to hear what the Hall of Fame inductees had to say about their story, how the students were listening and asking interesting questions, it was all an overall amazing day,” said Lopez.