As a former sports writer, I’m excited to hear that the Fountain Valley Community Foundation is making plans for the inaugural Fountain Valley Sports Hall of Fame ceremony.

This event, the brainchild of Community Foundation volunteer Bob Israelsky, is in the early stages. The ceremony will honor five athletes, one team and one coach or contributor from Fountain Valley High School in 2018. A time, date and place for the ceremony will be announced.

In 2019, the Foundation will honor athletes, a team and coach from Los Amigos High School.

Israelsky said he has already received quite a few nominations, and he welcomes more.

As I mentioned earlier, I used to cover sports for another newspaper and I remember writing about several of these athletes.

Here are the nominees thus far:

Ken Margerum (football, track)

Cathy Marino (kayaking)

Ken Dudredge (athletic director)

Glenn Anderson (wrestling)

Duval Love (football)

Russell Holmes (volleyball)

1968-69 FVHS wrestling team

1977 FVHS wrestling team

Russ Abrahams (football/wrestling)

Sharon Hatfield (track & field)

Candie Kung (golf)

Willie Gittens (football/track)

Kevin Romine (baseball)

To nominate an athlete, team or coach visit fvcommunityfoundation.org for rules of eligibility.

More information: Call Bob Israelsky at 714-274-5225.

While I’m on the subject of sports, mark your calendars:

FV PONY Baseball will hold its opening night ceremonies Friday, Feb. 23 at the Fountain Valley Sports Park PONY fields. The evening will feature opening ceremonies, an exhibition game, drawings, a deejay, a bounce house and more.

Fountain Valley Girls Fastpitch Softball’s opening day ceremonies are set for 5:30 p.m. Friday, March 2 on Field 6 at the Fountain Valley Sports Park. The league is open to girls ages 5-14.

Finally, Fountain Valley Little League will hold its opening day ceremonies on Saturday, March 3 at the Fountain Valley Sports Park. The league is open to boys and girls ages 4-14.

Play ball!