Fraley will be honored at Mount SAC Relays

Fresno State track and field coach Bob Fraley will be inducted to the Mt. San Antonio College Relays Hall of Fame on Thursday, the event's executive committee announced. Fraley, who is stepping down as Fresno State track and field director at the end of the season, will be recognized at a Thursday night banquet in the City of Industry that will serve as a prelude to the 50th annual Mt. SAC Relays.

The former Lemoore High coach will join the likes of Carl Lewis, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Edwin Moses, Evelyn Ashford and Tommie Smith in the Hall of Fame.

Like 1968 Olympic gold medalist Smith, Fraley is a product of Lemoore High, where he coached the Tigers to 15 league championships in 15 seasons.

The 1960 Fresno State graduate, has coached at the school for 28 years. He's gained numerous honors, including induction into the National Pole Vault Hall of Fame and USOC Developmental Coach of the Year

Fraley is also lauded for donating his salary to the school's track program in 2003 in order to prevent it from being cut from the school.

Fraley will become the second member of the Bulldog coaching staff to join the Mt. SAC Hall of Fame.

Bulldogs throwing coach Ramona Pagel, a four-time Olympian who set an American record in the shot put, was inducted in 1999.

The Mt. SAC Relays, which include Olympic Developmental, college and prep competition, will run from Thursday thru Sunday.

Among the athletes scheduled to compete is Hanford West High sprinter Vontrail Love.

(April 14, 2008)