News Release Media Contact: TC Martin 920 562-3772 [email protected] www.sacsportshof.com

## FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ## December 2, 2016

HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2017 ANNOUNCED Lee, Martinez, Bunz, O’Brien & Dragila to be inducted January 27th The Sacramento Sports Hall of Fame has added another star-studded class to their growing list of homegrown superstars honored annually as Sacramento’s greatest athletes. Dan Bunz, Stacy Dragila, Derrek Lee, Buck Martinez and Ken O’Brien will represent the Class of 2017 at the 5th Annual Sacramento Sports Hall of Fame Induction Celebration to be held January 27th at Thunder Valley Casino Resort. This year’s inductees are highly decorated and all reached the pinnacle of their respective sports. The Class of 2017 feature 2-time Super Bowl Champion and former San Francisco 49er Dan Bunz, fellow NFL 2-time Pro Bowl quarterback Ken O’Brien, Major League Baseball World Series Champion and 2time All Star Derrek Lee, 17 year veteran catcher, manager and broadcaster Buck Martinez and the first ever Women’s Olympic Pole Vault Gold Medalist Stacy Dragila. Induction is based on annual fan voting. Sacramento area sports fans cast their votes during the open voting period of October 10th - November 27th at the Sacramento Sports Hall of Fame official website. The top five vote getters represent the Class of the 2017. There were 50 nominees from nine different sports on this year’s ballot. This year’s class is another outstanding one as it represents five local legends that all achieved tremendous success at every stage of their athletic careers. Accomplishments included winning world championships, individual all star awards, representing their country and winning a gold medal. The 5th Annual Sacramento Sports Hall of Fame Induction Celebration will again feature past inductees attending while honoring the Class of 2017. This fan friendly event features appearances and speeches by the inductees as well as video tributes and live entertainment in a fun filled atmosphere. Tickets are on sale now at Thunder Valley Casino Resort and at ticketmaster.com. For all information regarding the Sacramento Sports Hall of Fame and event information visit www.SacSportsHOF.com Special Olympics - This year’s event will again feature the induction of a local Special Olympics athlete. The Sacramento Sports Hall of Fame continues to partner with Special Olympics Northern California and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the area’s Special Olympics programs. Each of the past three years, the event raised $2,500 for Special Olympics Northern California and included the induction of local athletes Douglass Hodges, Donald Schendel and Deanne Bridges.

### Please see Fact Sheet, quotes from the inductees and bios on the attachment: ### Inductees are available for interviews. For interview requests contact TC Martin.

Fact Sheet

Web Site: www.SacSportsHOF.com - Facebook: Sacramento Sports Hall of Fame 2017 Inductees: Dan Bunz, Stacy Dragila, Derrek Lee, Buck Martinez, Ken O’Brien Event: 5th Annual Sacramento Sports Hall of Fame Induction Celebration Celebration.. This star-studded star event has become a must attend event for Sacramento area sports fans. The night features the induction of the newest class (Class of 2017) and is attended by fans and athletes alike; including our past inductees and nominees. A fun filled atmosphere with speeches, video tribu tributes, tes, live entertainment, music and food. Date: Friday, January 27, 2017. Time: 7:30pm Location: Thunder Valley Casino Resort Tickets: $79.00 Includes: - Meet and Greet with Inductees - Autograph and Photo Opportunity - Complimentary Appetizers and Desserts On Sale: Thunder Valley Casino Resort esort & Ticketmaster Ticketmaster.com. For table purchases contact TC Martin. Entertainment: Comedian Dennis Gaxiola Gaxiola; featuring his roast of our Inductees Charitable Partner: Special Olympics Northern California California. A portion of the proceeds benefit our local chapter plus the induction of one Spe Special Olympic athlete. Presenting Sponsor:: Maita Auto Group Class of 2013 Dusty Baker Bill Cartwright Kevin Johnson Tony Lopez Summer Sanders

Class of 2014 Tedy Bruschi Jeff Float loat Leron Lee Debbie Meyer Steve Sax

Contact: TC Martin 920 562-3772 [email protected]

Class of 2015 Loreto Garza James Owens Pete Ranzany Greg Vaughn Danielle Viglione

Class of 2016 Evelyn Ashford Larry Bowa Urijah Faber Jerry Manuel Jerry Royster

Quotes from the Class of 2017

Dan Bunz “I am very honored to be an inductee to the Sacramento Sports Hall of Fame. To be selected from so many great athletes es is deeply humbling. I am proud to represent ent the Sacramento Valley as a ‘native son’,, having been born and raised in Roseville and having spent my entire athletic career in Northern California. Thank you. you.” Stacy Dragila “I am honored by this nomination and grateful to the fans of sport who voted me into the Sacramento Sports Hall of Fame. This is the Valley where my dream of being a great athlete began, and I am humbled at the opportunity to come home." Derrek Lee “I'm honored to be going into the Sacramento Sports Hall of Fame and joining the other great local athletes being inducted as well as past inductees. I love Sacramento and am proud to be a part of the great sports tradition. Thank you to the fans for considering me one of the t best Sac town athletes!” Buck Martinez "I am honored and humbled to be elected into The Sacramento Sports Hall of Fame. Sacramento always has been a perfect place for athletes to develop no matter what their sport, because of the support of the commu community, nity, the schools and the great coaches. There are so many names that came to mind when I heard the news from TC Martin Martin, and I look forward to the opportunity to recognize many of those wonderful people when I am back home in Sacramento." Ken O’Brien “Fired up to represent Sacramento! It’s truly an honor to be in the same mention as so many of the great athletes and people I have met and watched perform over the years. I look forward to being a part of the Sacramento Sports Hall of Fame and continue tto o see all the athletes coming from home!”

Dan Bunz High School: Oakmont College: Long Beach State * NFL Career: 8 Years (San Francisco, Detroit) * 2 Time Super Bowl Champion (XVI, XIX) * 1st Round Draft Pick (1978)

Dan was one of the fiercest and toughest competitors to come out of Oakmont High School. After a stellar high school career he went on to play collegiately at Long Beach State University. This fiery linebacker is known as one of the best defensive players in San Francisco 49er’s history. Dan was drafted by the 49ers in 1978 with their 1st round pick and 24th overall. In his eight NFL seasons, Dan won two Super Bowl Titles with the 49ers. In Super Bowl XVI he made one of the most famous defensive tackles ever witnessed. On a critical 3rd-and-goal from the 1 yard line, with the Bengals ready to take the lead, Dan made the stop of the game. He tackled running back, Charles Alexander, knocking him backwards and short of a touchdown. This crucial defensive play became famous and known as “The Stop,” and is credited as the play of the game. Chuck Studley the defensive coordinator considered Bunz' tackle of Alexander the most significant play: "Dan had to make a perfect tackle in the open field. Here's a guy (Alexander) who weighs 220 pounds and can run and he has only a yard to go for the end zone . . . Bunz had to hit him perfectly to stop him." Dan has been a very popular figure in the community and loves the area. His restaurant, Bunz & Co. in Roseville is a long time favorite of sports fans. He is currently a Physical Education teacher at Sutter Middle School, where he has been a fantastic role model for 22 years. Dan and his wife, Elizabeth, own and operate Bywater Hollow Farms, where they grow lavender and produce lavender products.

Stacy Dragila High School: Placer College: Idaho State * Olympic Gold Medalist: Pole Vault (2000, Sydney) * 2 Time World Champion (1999, 2001) * Indoor World Champion (1997) * 2 Time Jesse Owens Award Winner (2000, 2001) * Multiple World Record setter

Stacy is one of the pioneers in women's pole vaulting. She was an all around athlete who loved all athletic activities. When entering Placer High School she joined the volleyball and track and field teams. She was a solid sprinter, hurdler and long jumper. Stacy then went to Yuba College where she teamed up with John Orognen who convinced her to try the heptathlon. Orognen's health took a turn and he later passed from lung cancer. He encouraged and inspired Stacy to follow her dreams. She took this to heart and pursued her dreams by getting a scholarship to Idaho State University. Her new coach, Dave Neilsen, agreed with the direction of competing as a heptathlete. Neilsen lead her to try pole vaulting, which women were just beginning to try. Most people believed that women lacked to upper body strength for this sport, so the opportunities were very limited. Through a lot of hard work and hours of training, Stacy increased her heights and was able to clear 10 feet in her junior year, which was declared an American record. She increased to 11-2 by May, capturing the Prefontaine Classic title. Stacy bettered that by nearly four inches at the U.S. Outdoors in Sacramento; earning her a spot on the national team. Traveling overseas she increased her personal best to 12-1 1/2 taking second place and she finished the season as America's #2 pole vaulter. In 1996, Stacy set a new American record and then broke her own record 4 times. In 1997, the IAAF included women's pole vaulting for the first time and Stacy was ready. The best from the world were all there. Stacy set a world record 14-5 1/4 and took the Gold. Stacy continued to compete as the sport gained more recognition. Finally, the IOC added women's pole vaulting to the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. Stacy won the first Gold Medal in Women’s Pole Vaulting at the 2000 Summer Olympics and finished 2000 as the world's top-ranked pole vaulter. She continued to increase her personal best and set more world records when she cleared 15-9 1/4. She received the Jesse Owens Award both in 2000 and 2001. Over the next few years Stacy continued to win numerous competitions and set a personal best in 2004. Unfortunately, injuries kept Stacy from the 2004 Olympics. Stacy is still very involved in her sport as she trains future Olympians by traveling with her Stacy Dragila Vault Camps. Her Olympic Training center is located in Boise, Idaho where she currently lives.

Derrek Lee High School: El Camino * MLB Career: 16 Years (San Diego, Florida, Chicago Cubs, Atlanta, Baltimore, Pittsburgh) * 2 Time All-Star selection (2005, 2007) * 3 Time Gold Glove Award Winner (2003, 2005, 2007) * National League Batting Champion (2005) * World Series Champion (2003) The Sacramento Sports Hall of fame welcomes another member of the Lee family. Derrek’s uncle, Leron, was inducted in 2014. His Father, Leon, was in the Cardinals minor league system and played professionally in Japan. Derrek was a fantastic two-sport star at El Camino High School, excelling at basketball and baseball. Basketball was his first choice and he nearly went to North Carolina as he received a hand written letter from Dean Smith. Because baseball was in his family blood, his dad encouraged him to keep his concentration on the diamond. He was a MLB 1st round pick (14th overall) by San Diego. He was traded a year later to Florida. In 2003 he helped lead the Marlins to a World Series title. During that season, Derrek won his first of three Gold Gloves playing First Base. He spent the next seven seasons playing for the Cubs where he put up monster numbers. In 2005 he hit a career high of 46 home runs and was the National League Batting Champion. He finished the year batting .335, the highest in club history since 1976. Over his 14 year career, Derrek hit 331 home runs, drove in 1,078 RBI and compiled a lifetime batting average of .281. He was also a two time National League All-Star. He has been very active in charitable work. He is involved in Project 3000 which is dedicated to help eradicate Lebers Congenital Amaurosis, a rare genetic disease that results in loss of vision. He also created the 1st Touch Foundation in 2005 with the emphasis on building the 1st Touch Academic Youth Center in Sacramento.

Buck Martinez High School: Elk Grove College: Sacramento City, Sacramento State, Southwest Missouri State * MLB Playing Career: 17 Years (Kansas City, Milwaukee, Toronto) * MLB Managing Career: 2 Years (Toronto) * MLB Radio and television Analyst John Albert “Buck” Martinez played 17 seasons in the Major Leagues. Buck went to Elk Grove High School and was well known for his defensive ability behind the plate, and is one of the greatest catchers to come out of the area. At the time, he was known as one of the best power hitters around which led him to play collegiately both Sacramento City College and Sacramento State University. Buck was drafted in the 2nd round by the Philadelphia Phillies. He was later traded and was best known for playing for the Kansas City Royals and Toronto Blue Jays. His defensives skills were outstanding as Buck had several years with fielding percentages of .989,.991 and .995. He had his best year in 1982 when he set career highs in hits, doubles, home runs and RBI and caught 93 games behind the plate. In 1986, he recorded his 600th hit and played in his 1,000th game. After retiring from baseball, Buck went into broadcasting as a radio color analyst for the Toronto Blue Jays. He then made the move out of the booth and on the field to manage the Blue Jays for two seasons. Buck was also the manager of Team USA at the inaugural World Baseball Classic in 2006. After the 2002 season, Buck returned to the booth and has been a regular on both national television and radio. He has worked for ESPN, TSN, MASN and TBS. He currently works as the lead play-by-play announcer for the Toronto Blue Jays. Buck has written two books chronicling his playing days entitled, “From Worst to First” and “The Last Out.” He loves Sacramento and still considers it home.

Ken O’Brien High School: Jesuit College: Sacramento State, UC Davis * NFL Career: 11 Years (New York Jets, Green Bay, Philadelphia) * 2 Time Pro Bowl selection (1985, 1991) * AFC Player of the Year (1985) * College Football Hall of Fame Inductee (1997) * Cal Aggie Hall of Fame Inductee (1990) Ken was one of the most prolific quarterbacks to ever come out of the Sacramento area. He played at Jesuit High School where he made a name for himself at an early age. He then attended Sacramento State University before going on to an illustrious collegiate career at UC Davis. In his senior year, 1982, Ken was a Division II All-American. He led the Aggies to a 10-0 regular season and to the Division II Championship game. He was selected as All-Far Western Conference quarterback three times and was selected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1997. Ken was taken with the 24th overall pick in the 1st round by the New York Jets of the famous 1983 NFL Draft class which included: John Elway, Jim Kelly, Dan Marino and fellow Sacramento area native Tony Eason. He amassed over 25,000 yards with 128 touchdowns in his 11 year career. In 1985, he was the highest rated QB in the NFL and retired as the Jets only quarterback to hold this honor. Ken also held the team record for most consecutive passes (17) in a single game. He was the first NFL quarterback to pass for over 400 yards in a game and have a perfect passer rating (158.3). Ken was selected to two NFL Pro Bowls in 1985 and 1991. In 1990, the first Quarterback Challenge was introduced. Several top-rated quarterbacks competed in several events with Ken emerging as champion. After retiring, Ken became an assistant coach for USC where he coached Heisman Trophy winner, Carson Palmer. Today, Ken is involved in the financial world as a Partner with IWP Wealth. He still has family in the Sacramento area and visits often; and recently attended the Causeway Classic between the two schools where he played.