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Show piy. Page 9 -- - mjm Basin LIFE December 31, 2001 M. Uintah Basin Standard happened. It turned out to be fantastic news for Uintah Basin boys who had a hankering to get inside a boxing ring, because thats when Ernie Martinez the boxer, became Ernie Martinez the boxing coach. We had a lot of good boxers out here. It first started at the Ute Tribe, we had a lot of good boys, he recalls. One year, there were ten state champions who came out of the Uintah Basin Boxing Club. The bpys would practice in the gym at the old Roosevelt Elementary, and at a gym in Fort Duchesne which the tribe let the club use. Teams came from throughout Utah and from neighboring states to participate in boxing tournaments in the Uintah Basin. "The boxers were all high school old. age kids, most were 12 to If they were younger than that I let them come and play around if they behaved good, he relates. "Everybody was welcome. We had kids who didn t know how to box at all, but they would train and learn. After a tournament in Provo, a man from California, who had seen the Uintah Basin Boxing Club members in action, approached Ernie and asked him to coach his son. The boy lived with the Martinez family for two years PROFESSIONAL FEATHERWEIGHT BOXER Ernie Martinez is proof that good things come in small packages self this is no big deal, but they are excited. They are tickled to death! Ernie was raised in Montrose, ColoErnie Martinez waa a contender. During his prime he boxed the circuit, rado, and has traveled throughout the world. Partly because of his four-yeclimbing the ladder to become a contender for the World's Bantam Weight stint in the Navy, and partly because Title in 1957. Next month Ernie, his in his youth he was a boxer. And a wife Jackie, and their granddaughter darned good one. Mexico, Panama, Canada, Japan, and Peru were some of the places he went just to put on his boxing gloves and get in the ring. Central America was also a hot spot for Ernie during his boxing days. You see, at 5 foot 2 indies and 125 pounds, that was a great place for matches with other boxershis size. That (Central America) was where you found a lot ofthe smaller contenders. We would fight all over the United where ever States from you got good contracts, Ernie details. What was his most memorable match? "They were all memorable, he says with a smile. Today Ernie is retired from the ring and from his job as a translator with the Immigration and Naturalization Service. He lives in Myton with his wife, Jackie, and granddaughter Monie Rose Manning. He just completed serving a term on the Myton City Council He currently serves as Crime Prevention Coordinator for the Duchesne County Sheriffs office and BOXING CHAMP While serving is a member of the Ute Tribe Grievin the U.S. Navy from 1950 - 1954, ance Committee. Ernie Martinez was an All Navy boxing Although he is not a tribal memchampion. This photo was taken in ber, it was through his association Tokyo, Japan. with the tribe Jackie is a Ute Tribe Monie Rose Manning, will walk the member and directs the Native Amerisame route as Olympic athletes from can Myton City Youth Dancers that around the world as participants in he was invited to participate in the' the opening ceremonies of the 2002 Opening Ceremonies ofthe Olympics. About 80 tribal members from the Winter Gaines. Ernie will tell you that he's not tribe will take part in the Opening really all that excited aboutthe honor. Ceremonies. (See related story on this After all, he points out, hes had some page-- ) Even though it's been decades since pretty, monumental experiences in his life, but for his family, this is Ernie has been in the ring, you can still definitely something special, he says. see the spark of a young boxer in his Once youve been to the topyour eyes. Hebeganboxingin high school in Bylezlee E, Whiting One year, there were ten state champions :.i who came out of the g Uintah Basin ll Boxing Club. ar coast-to-coa- st, rs the late 1940s when interest in the sport was taking off. In 1960 he gradu- ated from high school and joined the Navy and continued boxing while serving aboardaircraft carriers. He earned the titles of Far East Champion after a match in Tokyo, and was Pacific All Navy Champion in his weight. When he was discharged from the Navy he had managers waiting for , him. He signed up with Frank Bush, a Salt Lake City car dealer who promoted the sport. Bush chose Denver, Colorado as Ernies home base. For a few years Ernie made his living boxing. Through his profession he was not only able to travel extensively, but he alsf met a lot ofinteresting people including Mohammad Ali and Bob Hope who came to the Salt Palace to attend an amateur boxing while attending high school in Roosevelt and boxing for the club. He was exceptionally good, " Ernie recalls. "Hes now a lobbyist for the California Legislature. Interest in boxing among young boys began to diminish in the late 1970s. Ernie still keeps in touch with a lot of the kids he coached over the years, and is happy to have played a tournament Ernie had "no intention ofcoming to Utah to live. But thats just what CECIL F. Ernie Martinez (pictured cenler)beganhisboxingcareer SPARRING PRACTICE while in high school. He ended up boxing professionally, becoming a contender for the World Featherweight title. He eventually moved to Myton and in the 970s was the coach and manager of the Uintah Basin Boxing Club. 1 SEE MARTINEZ on page 20 GURR AWARD PRESENTED Academy cadets participate in emotional commencement exercises UBATC Police 3 After nine months ofn tensive trainwere in attendance. UBATC President Richard Jones ing approved and authorized by Utah Peace Officer Standards and Trainthen addressed the gathering, saying, ing, eight cadets, enrolled in Uintah "We dont see these students very Basin Applied Technology College often. They take classes in various and Police Academy participated in comsundry locations throughout the mencement exercises Thursday, Doc. Uintah Basin. We hope that will be 27, before friends, family, adjunct in- remedied soon with anew room at the structors, UBATC administration and Vernal Campus. Jones added that law enforcement officials. the Police Academy would not be posThe cadets, comprising the gradusible without the 25 adjunct faculty ating class of the second session of the who meet the instructional needs of UBATC Police Academy are as folthe students. lows: Brandon Adams, Andrew Cox, "This is a small class, but a class Dustin Cheshire, Tara Eckes, Jacob with great expectations ... by no means Helms, Clayton Johnson, Brett Lane is their educational process finished, and Bryan Wiersma. this has been a stepping stone to go on Wayne A Embleton, UBATC Acad- - to other parts of their lives, Jones emy director welcomed the audience, concluded. Duchesne County Sheriff Ralph recognizing Uintah County Sheriff Rick Hawkins and Roosevelt Police Stansfield addressed the cadets, tellChief Steve Hooley as well as other ing them that they were entering into law enforcement officers, some who a gratifying profession one that would also serve as adjunct instructors who carry with it a lot of emotion through i Cadets enrolled in UBATCs Police Academy both in the first and second session held the highest average test scores in the state of Utah. good times and bad. Once you take the oath, you are no longer regular citizens. People will look up to you all the time. They will judge you harshly and critically. You must do the right thing all the time, and that is difficult when you are making decisions in a split second. Sometimes you will make the wrong decisions, Stansfield counseled, going on to say that he had compiled a list of attributes borrowed from a book he was reading which he felt building blocks of character nec-i- n the field oflaw enforcement: industry, friendship, loyalty, cooperation, enthusiasm, self control, alertness, initiative, best condition, skill, team spirit, poise, competitive greatness, ambition, integrity, reliability and honesty. - "You must set an example foryour "Stansfield admonished, adding that the cadets must be dedicated to their community and exercise "a little fight, a little faith and a lot of patience. Kenneth Wallentine, Post Officer Standards and Training official administered the oath, and spoke as well to the cadets, encouraging them to be loyal to their standard and to embody this value of integrity. "Law enforcement produces leaders. Law enforcement produces men and women of character, Wallentine said, acknowledging that cadets enrolled in UBATCs Police Academy both in the first and second session held the highest average test scores in fellow man, SEE UBATC GRADS on page 20 Young Single Adult Dance Dec. 31 On there will be a New Year's Eve dance beginning at 8: 30 Monday, p.m. at the USU building commons area, featuring refreshments, noise makers, hats, and $400 worth ofprizes to be given away. No tickets for prizes will be available after 9:30 p.m. Call 722-59for more information. Community New Years Dance On Monday, Dec. 31 at 8:30 p.m. the Crossroads Senior Center will host community New Year's dance and breakfast. Kay's Band will perform and light refreshments will be served. For more information call 722-429- 6. Single Adults Celebrate the New Year LDS Regional Single Adults (31 and over) are hosting a New Years Dance and activity on Dec. 31 at the Vernal Glines LDS church (West Hwy 40) dress requested. Come beginning at 7 p.m. LDS standards required-be- st help us celebrate the New Year! BOXING CHAMP Whileserving in theU.S. Navy from 1950-195- 4, Ernie Martinez wasan all Navy boxing champion. This photo was taken in Tokyo, Japan. SPIRITUAL LEADERS & DRUM GROUPS Native Americans to play large part in Games' opening By Lezlee E. Whiting Three ofthe five Native American drum groups that will form the Olympic rings for the opening ceremoniesof the Games will be comprised of members of the Northern Ute Tribe. Native Americans from throughout Utah will play a significant role in the Feb. 8 opening ceremonies, said Ute Tribe Public Relations spokesman Larry Cess pooch. "Each tribe is supposed to have 100 representatives. It ought to be awesome, you should have 500 in the house by the time everybody gets there, he said. The Native Americans will follow the Olympic athletes, entering Rice t Eccles Stadium to the sound of Native American flute magic. Native American spiritual leaders who have been designated by each tribe will make their entrance on horseback and gather K I together to bless the athletes. Clifford Duncan will represent the Ute Indian Tribe, said Cess pooch. Two weeks ago a teepee, which will be erected for the games at the Soldier Hollow venue in Wasatch County, went up for a trial run at Bottle Hollow in Fort Duchesne. It made an impressive sight, commented Cess pooch. To prepare for a flawless opening ceremony, participants are involved in numerous rehearsals. "They want perfection, this is going out to all the world, said Ernie Martinez, a Myton resident who will be participating in the opening ceremonies with Ute Tribe members. Native Americans will wear traditional regalia, as well as modern dress. Following the opening ceremonies, Native American dancers will entertain spectators inside the giant teepee, said Ccsspooch. ESOL Classes Offered Duchesne County School District Adult Education Program is offering ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) classes beginning Jan.8, on every Tuesday and Thursday night The course is taught in two eight-wee- k sessions. The second session begins March 5. The class fee is $25 and the instructor is John Weight For more information contact Louise Jorgensen at (435) 725-014- Free Diabetes Classes Free diabetes classes are available for people with diabetes, those at risk for diabetes, and their families on the first Tuesday of every month from 6-- 7 p.m. at the Uintah Basin Medical Center classroom. Everyone is welcome. Help for Veterans, Dependants & HONOR Police Academy graduute Clayton Johnson, of Vernal, was the Cecil F. Gurr award for his performance while at the academy. Johnson said thut receiving the first award in memorial ofthe late Roosevelt police chief had a tremendous impact in his life. The award was presented to Johnson by Shalon Gurr Hansen, Chief Gurr'sdaughter. recipient of the Widows A Service Officer from the American Legion, SLC will be in Roosevelt to assist in u nderstanding and applying for VA benefits on Tuesday, Jan. 8 from 1:30-- 3 p.m. at the Department ofWorkforce Services Employment Center at 140 W. 425 S. 36-fo- ot bHy! Family History Help Interested in The vny.'V' I 722-921- i 1 : I s genealogy? Family History Center located at 290 West 300 North in Roosevelt, welcomes everyone in the community to come in and search for their roots. This facility is free to the public and will be 3 offering free classes starting in January. Call for more - - ... V ; i tO r ' Vv1 Vs .-- Hi. - -- h 'V i We, f tA iW7 V . -- "7 ! v .1. i American Legion Meeting American Legion Post 64 will hold its at 7 p.m. regular meeting Wednesday, Jan. 2 Area Quilters Meeting The area quilters will be held on at the meeting Tuesday, Jan. 8 at Moon Lake Electric building. Bring scraps of fabric and batting to make quilts to donate to various charities. 7 p.m. NEW GRADUATES Eight new law enforcement officers graduated last Thursday from the UBATC Police Academy program.-Thgraduates were told that great things were expected oft hem. Picturedare: Brandon Adams. Andrew Cox, Dustin Cheshire. Tara Krkes. Jacob Helms, Clayton Johnson, Brett Lane and Hrvan Wiersma. e |