Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame: Induction a pleasant surprise to members of latest class

Yvette Roberts almost was about to hang up.

A representative from the Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame had called Roberts to inform the former Fresno State women’s basketball star that she was being inducted to the latest class during the fall.

Like others in the 2016 Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame induction class, Roberts didn’t believe it was true.

“Someone is doing a prank call, right?” Roberts recalled thinking upon receiving the call. “This is something that I thought I’d never, ever, ever accomplish.

“I played the game ’cause I loved it. I didn’t play the game to get recognized. You can’t express the thank you I have.”

Roberts, who held Fresno State’s career scoring record for 22 years before it was broken by Jaleesa Ross in 2011, was part of a prolific Hall of Fame Class that also included former NFL quarterback and Fresno State star Billy Volek, Golden State Warriors assistant and ex-Bulldogs men’s basketball coach Ron Adams, seven-time PGA Tour winner Bill Glasson, longtime athletic trainer and an instrumental Fresno State fundraiser Paul Schecter, as well as the 1968 Hoover High baseball team that was ranked No. 1 in the nation.

“It’s an amazing feeling,” Schecter said.

Volek, who spent 12 years in the NFL, couldn’t help but smile upon seeing familiar faces from the past – some from his days at Fresno State and even others from when he played at Clovis West.

“I’ve been all over the country and I still consider Fresno my home,” Volek said. “It’s a great place, great support throughout my career.

“This is quite an honor. It’s good to be back home.”

Adams, who coached the Bulldogs from 1986-90, was in town Wednesday for an early celebration for Fresno State-tied inductees. But the Laton native wasn’t able to attend Thursday’s ceremony at the Fresno Convention Center with the Warriors hosting the Oklahoma City Thunder in a marquee NBA regular-season matchup.

Instead, wife Leah Adams accepted the medallion and trophy on his behalf.

Adams, whose coaching career began at his alma mater, Fresno Pacific, did leave a video message and thanked many for his induction. Both Adams and his wife were overjoyed to learn of his induction.

“It’s hard to put into words what it means when your hometown honors you,” Leah Adams said. “Because they knew you when you were young. And they knew you when you didn’t succeed. This is a very big deal.

“Ron has been on the larger stage because of the NBA. But Ron has not changed. This induction is a great honor.”

Glasson, whose golfing days can be traced to his time at McLane and playing at Airways Golf Course, competed on the PGA Tour from 1984 to 2007 then moved on to the Champions Tour in 2010.

He hadn’t been back to Fresno in several years, but was thrilled to be inducted.

“I’m honored; it’s a top achievement in my career,” Glasson said. “You never take Fresno out of the guy.”

This story was originally published November 4, 2016 at 1:20 AM with the headline "Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame: Induction a pleasant surprise to members of latest class."