Eleven Sun Devils have been nominated to the 2017 Arizona Sports Hall of Fame ballot. The list includes nine #SunDevils4Life who competed for Arizona State, and two past coaches.
Nominees are inducted into the Hall of Fame based on a public vote. To place votes for the nominees, visit http://www.azsportshof.com/vote-here.html.
Joe Caldwell
A 2005 Pac-10 Hall of Honor and a 1975 Arizona State Hall of Fame inductee, Caldwell was a three-year starter for the Sun Devils from 1961 to 1964. In his three years, the Sun Devils achieved a 65-18 (.783) record and advanced to the NCAA Tournament each season. Caldwell was named team MVP during the 1963 and 1964 seasons, and was a team captain all three years. In 1964, Caldwell earned a gold medal playing for the United States Olympic team in Tokyo. Selected as the second pick by the Detroit Pistons in the 1964 NBA Draft, Caldwell represents highest selection by a Sun Devil. Caldwell spent six years in the NBA and five years in the ABA, and garnered All-Star accolades in both leagues. In 1997, Caldwell earned his degree from Arizona State 33 years after ending his career.
Andre Ethier
Ethier, a Phoenix native, began his collegiate baseball career at Arizona State in the fall of 2000. After transferring to Chandler-Gilbert Community College in 2001 and becoming one of the top junior college players in the state, Ethier returned to Arizona State. In both of his two years as a Sun Devil, the team made appearances the NCAA Tournament and finished the season nationally ranked. Ethier earned first team All-Pac-10 honors in 2002 and 2003, and ended his Sun Devil career with a 23-game hitting streak. In the 2003 MLB Amateur Draft, Ethier was selected in the second round (62nd overall) by the Oakland A's. Ethier made his major league debut in 2006 for the Los Angeles Dodgers, with whom he has spent his entire MLB career.
Bill Kajikawa
Kajikawa is one of the many faces that exemplify Sun Devil Athletics. As an undergraduate student at Arizona State, Kajikawa was a member of the varsity football team. In 1937, he began his coaching career with the Arizona State Teacher's College freshman football team. In addition, Kajikawa served as head basketball coach from 1948 to 1957, and he was head coach of ASU's club baseball team from 1947 to 1957. Before retiring in 1978, Kajikawa had worked as the freshman football coach under a total nine Arizona State head football coaches.
During World War II, Kajikawa took his only hiatus from Arizona State to serve with distinction in the Army's 442nd Regimental Combat Team. The 442nd combat regiment, manned entirely by Japanese Americans, was the Army's most decorated combat unit.
Kajikawa, who was a professor emeritus of physical education at Arizona State, was recognized on April 6, 1995, in a ceremony that named the Sun Devil football practice field The Bill Kajikawa Practice Facility. He was also inducted into the Arizona Basketball Hall of Fame in 1968 and the ASU Hall of Distinction in 1982.
Phil Mickelson
One of four players to be named first-team All-American for four years, Mickelson owns a decorated amateur career at Arizona State in addition to his professional accolades. As a freshman in 1989, Mickelson won the NCAA Championship, becoming one of five golfers to accomplish the feat. The following year, he successfully defended his NCAA title and won the 1990 U.S. Amateur Championship. He finished his sophomore season with seven top-10 finishes. In 1991, Mickelson earned the Haskins Award and Nicklaus Award after a season in which he finished top-10 in all 11 tournaments. He also won the PGA Tour's Northern Telecom Open in Tucson, the Western Amateur Championship and made the cut at the U.S. Open, Masters and British Open. The lefty capped off his career at Arizona State with another NCAA title in 1992 and set multiple NCAA records. Mickelson became just the second golfer to capture three NCAA titles.
Mickelson turned pro in 1992, and since then, he has captured 42 PGA Tour victories, which include five major championships, record performances at the U.S. Ryder Cup and President's Cup. Mickelson was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1992.
Pat Murphy
As the third Arizona State baseball coach and a four-time Pac-10 Coach of the Year, Murphy's 15-year tenure at the helm of the ASU program was marked with great success. Murphy led the Sun Devils to the College World Series in 1998, 2005, 2007 and 2009. Arizona State was 629-284-1 under Murphy, and in each of his last three seasons, the team captured the Pac-10 title. Murphy had the Sun Devils finishing in the top-3 nationally twice in the same decade and his teams consistently finished in the top-25. He led Arizona State to the postseason for nine consecutive seasons and became the youngest collegiate coach to reach 500 career wins.
Dustin Pedroia
All-American shortstop Pedroia put together three of the best seasons in Arizona State baseball history. His numerous accolades include being named the National Defensive Player of the Year twice, a Golden Spikes Award finalist, a Dick Howser Player of the Year Award semifinalist, and a three-time first-team All-Pac-10 selection. Pedroia finished his career batting .384 (298-for-777), tying for seventh in the Arizona State record books. His 71 career doubles and 298 hits both rank fourth in Arizona State history. Pedroia was the starting shortstop for USA Baseball National Team in 2002 and 2003, leading Team USA to a bronze medal in the Pan Am Games.
The infielder was selected in the second round (65th overall) of the 2004 MLB June Amateur Draft by the Boston Red Sox and made his major league debut in 2006. Since then, Pedroia has been named the American League Rookie of the Year (2007) and American League MVP (2008). He has won four Gold Glove awards, earned four All-Star selections and is a two-time World Series champion.
Cain Ramirez-Velasquez
Velasquez owns a decorated wrestling career at Arizona State. He won the Pac-10 heavyweight individual title in 2005 and 2006 and was named an All-American in both years. Velasquez finished his three-year Sun Devil career 86-17, placing fifth in the country in 2005 and fourth in 2006. In 2005, he was named the Pac-10 Conference Wrestler of the Year. Velasquez began his UFC career in 2006, and has captured two UFC Heavyweight titles.
Anthony Robles
Despite being born with one leg, Robles became one of the most accomplished wrestlers in Arizona State history. Robles captured the 2011 NCAA Championship at 125 pounds in his senior season to cap a perfect 36-0 season. He is a three-time All-American in the 125-pound weight class and a three-time Pac-10 Conference Champion. Robles finished his career ranked eighth in wins at Arizona State (122) and 10th in dual wins (53). He set multiple Arizona State records, including career records for bonus-point victories and technical falls, and single-season records for bonus-point victories and technical falls. In 2011, he was awarded ESPN's Jimmy V Award for Perseverance.
Phillipi Sparks
Sparks spent two seasons as an integral part of the Arizona State football team. In 1990, during his first year as a Sun Devil, Sparks was honored as a second-team All-Conference defensive back. The following season, Sparks earned first-team All-Conference honors and became a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award. Sparks was selected as the 41st overall pick by the New York Giants in the 1992 NFL Draft. After nine seasons in the NFL, Sparks retired and ended his career with 492 tackles, 27 interceptions, and one sack.
Pat Tillman
Tillman was hailed as one of the most exciting defensive players in the Pac-10 during his college career. He amassed multiple awards during his career as a Sun Devil, including being named the 1997 Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year and 1997 second-team All-American. Tillman was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals and played for four seasons with the team.
Perhaps his greatest accomplishment occurred off the football field. In June of 2002, Tillman enlisted in the United States Army where he joined the Army Rangers, turning down a three-year, $3.6 million NFL contract. Tillman was killed in Afghanistan in 2004, but continues to be an inspiration to all. Following his death, he was awarded a Purple Heart by the U.S. Army and a Silver Star by the U.S. Military.
Tillman's Arizona State jersey number and Arizona Cardinals jersey number are both retired. He was inducted into the ASU Hall of Fame in 2008 and inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2010.
Tina Tombs
A two-time All-American, Tombs was one of the most skilled golfers at Arizona State. In 1984, she was ranked among Golf Digest's top 10 amateur golfers in the USA. She qualified for the LPGA Tour in 1987 and began a 17-year career with the LPGA Touring division. In 1990, she captured the championship at the Jamie Farr Toledo Classic. Tombs was inducted into the ASU Hall of Fame in 2006. She is currently a golf instructor at the Arizona Biltmore Golf Club.
Nominees are inducted into the Hall of Fame based on a public vote. To place votes for the nominees, visit http://www.azsportshof.com/vote-here.html.
Joe Caldwell
A 2005 Pac-10 Hall of Honor and a 1975 Arizona State Hall of Fame inductee, Caldwell was a three-year starter for the Sun Devils from 1961 to 1964. In his three years, the Sun Devils achieved a 65-18 (.783) record and advanced to the NCAA Tournament each season. Caldwell was named team MVP during the 1963 and 1964 seasons, and was a team captain all three years. In 1964, Caldwell earned a gold medal playing for the United States Olympic team in Tokyo. Selected as the second pick by the Detroit Pistons in the 1964 NBA Draft, Caldwell represents highest selection by a Sun Devil. Caldwell spent six years in the NBA and five years in the ABA, and garnered All-Star accolades in both leagues. In 1997, Caldwell earned his degree from Arizona State 33 years after ending his career.
Andre Ethier
Ethier, a Phoenix native, began his collegiate baseball career at Arizona State in the fall of 2000. After transferring to Chandler-Gilbert Community College in 2001 and becoming one of the top junior college players in the state, Ethier returned to Arizona State. In both of his two years as a Sun Devil, the team made appearances the NCAA Tournament and finished the season nationally ranked. Ethier earned first team All-Pac-10 honors in 2002 and 2003, and ended his Sun Devil career with a 23-game hitting streak. In the 2003 MLB Amateur Draft, Ethier was selected in the second round (62nd overall) by the Oakland A's. Ethier made his major league debut in 2006 for the Los Angeles Dodgers, with whom he has spent his entire MLB career.
Bill Kajikawa
Kajikawa is one of the many faces that exemplify Sun Devil Athletics. As an undergraduate student at Arizona State, Kajikawa was a member of the varsity football team. In 1937, he began his coaching career with the Arizona State Teacher's College freshman football team. In addition, Kajikawa served as head basketball coach from 1948 to 1957, and he was head coach of ASU's club baseball team from 1947 to 1957. Before retiring in 1978, Kajikawa had worked as the freshman football coach under a total nine Arizona State head football coaches.
During World War II, Kajikawa took his only hiatus from Arizona State to serve with distinction in the Army's 442nd Regimental Combat Team. The 442nd combat regiment, manned entirely by Japanese Americans, was the Army's most decorated combat unit.
Kajikawa, who was a professor emeritus of physical education at Arizona State, was recognized on April 6, 1995, in a ceremony that named the Sun Devil football practice field The Bill Kajikawa Practice Facility. He was also inducted into the Arizona Basketball Hall of Fame in 1968 and the ASU Hall of Distinction in 1982.
Phil Mickelson
One of four players to be named first-team All-American for four years, Mickelson owns a decorated amateur career at Arizona State in addition to his professional accolades. As a freshman in 1989, Mickelson won the NCAA Championship, becoming one of five golfers to accomplish the feat. The following year, he successfully defended his NCAA title and won the 1990 U.S. Amateur Championship. He finished his sophomore season with seven top-10 finishes. In 1991, Mickelson earned the Haskins Award and Nicklaus Award after a season in which he finished top-10 in all 11 tournaments. He also won the PGA Tour's Northern Telecom Open in Tucson, the Western Amateur Championship and made the cut at the U.S. Open, Masters and British Open. The lefty capped off his career at Arizona State with another NCAA title in 1992 and set multiple NCAA records. Mickelson became just the second golfer to capture three NCAA titles.
Mickelson turned pro in 1992, and since then, he has captured 42 PGA Tour victories, which include five major championships, record performances at the U.S. Ryder Cup and President's Cup. Mickelson was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1992.
Pat Murphy
As the third Arizona State baseball coach and a four-time Pac-10 Coach of the Year, Murphy's 15-year tenure at the helm of the ASU program was marked with great success. Murphy led the Sun Devils to the College World Series in 1998, 2005, 2007 and 2009. Arizona State was 629-284-1 under Murphy, and in each of his last three seasons, the team captured the Pac-10 title. Murphy had the Sun Devils finishing in the top-3 nationally twice in the same decade and his teams consistently finished in the top-25. He led Arizona State to the postseason for nine consecutive seasons and became the youngest collegiate coach to reach 500 career wins.
Dustin Pedroia
All-American shortstop Pedroia put together three of the best seasons in Arizona State baseball history. His numerous accolades include being named the National Defensive Player of the Year twice, a Golden Spikes Award finalist, a Dick Howser Player of the Year Award semifinalist, and a three-time first-team All-Pac-10 selection. Pedroia finished his career batting .384 (298-for-777), tying for seventh in the Arizona State record books. His 71 career doubles and 298 hits both rank fourth in Arizona State history. Pedroia was the starting shortstop for USA Baseball National Team in 2002 and 2003, leading Team USA to a bronze medal in the Pan Am Games.
The infielder was selected in the second round (65th overall) of the 2004 MLB June Amateur Draft by the Boston Red Sox and made his major league debut in 2006. Since then, Pedroia has been named the American League Rookie of the Year (2007) and American League MVP (2008). He has won four Gold Glove awards, earned four All-Star selections and is a two-time World Series champion.
Cain Ramirez-Velasquez
Velasquez owns a decorated wrestling career at Arizona State. He won the Pac-10 heavyweight individual title in 2005 and 2006 and was named an All-American in both years. Velasquez finished his three-year Sun Devil career 86-17, placing fifth in the country in 2005 and fourth in 2006. In 2005, he was named the Pac-10 Conference Wrestler of the Year. Velasquez began his UFC career in 2006, and has captured two UFC Heavyweight titles.
Anthony Robles
Despite being born with one leg, Robles became one of the most accomplished wrestlers in Arizona State history. Robles captured the 2011 NCAA Championship at 125 pounds in his senior season to cap a perfect 36-0 season. He is a three-time All-American in the 125-pound weight class and a three-time Pac-10 Conference Champion. Robles finished his career ranked eighth in wins at Arizona State (122) and 10th in dual wins (53). He set multiple Arizona State records, including career records for bonus-point victories and technical falls, and single-season records for bonus-point victories and technical falls. In 2011, he was awarded ESPN's Jimmy V Award for Perseverance.
Phillipi Sparks
Sparks spent two seasons as an integral part of the Arizona State football team. In 1990, during his first year as a Sun Devil, Sparks was honored as a second-team All-Conference defensive back. The following season, Sparks earned first-team All-Conference honors and became a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award. Sparks was selected as the 41st overall pick by the New York Giants in the 1992 NFL Draft. After nine seasons in the NFL, Sparks retired and ended his career with 492 tackles, 27 interceptions, and one sack.
Pat Tillman
Tillman was hailed as one of the most exciting defensive players in the Pac-10 during his college career. He amassed multiple awards during his career as a Sun Devil, including being named the 1997 Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year and 1997 second-team All-American. Tillman was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals and played for four seasons with the team.
Perhaps his greatest accomplishment occurred off the football field. In June of 2002, Tillman enlisted in the United States Army where he joined the Army Rangers, turning down a three-year, $3.6 million NFL contract. Tillman was killed in Afghanistan in 2004, but continues to be an inspiration to all. Following his death, he was awarded a Purple Heart by the U.S. Army and a Silver Star by the U.S. Military.
Tillman's Arizona State jersey number and Arizona Cardinals jersey number are both retired. He was inducted into the ASU Hall of Fame in 2008 and inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2010.
Tina Tombs
A two-time All-American, Tombs was one of the most skilled golfers at Arizona State. In 1984, she was ranked among Golf Digest's top 10 amateur golfers in the USA. She qualified for the LPGA Tour in 1987 and began a 17-year career with the LPGA Touring division. In 1990, she captured the championship at the Jamie Farr Toledo Classic. Tombs was inducted into the ASU Hall of Fame in 2006. She is currently a golf instructor at the Arizona Biltmore Golf Club.
