Arizona Sports Hall of Fame to induct five new members in 2015

The Arizona Sports Hall of Fame is set to add an impressive quintet during the 45th Arizona Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on April 8.

The ceremony, which will be held at the Scottsdale Hilton Hotel, will honor Charles Barkley, Luis Gonzalez, Danielle Ammaccapane, Cotton Fitzsimmons and Joe Gilmartin.

“We are thrilled about this year’s class as it represents some of the most colorful sports personalities of our modern era and it crosses over the player, coaching and journalism sectors,” said Wally Kelly, CEO of the commission. “As with every class that has been enshrined, these incredible individuals serve as inspiration for us all.”

Barkley, an NBA Hall of Famer who spent four seasons in Phoenix with the Suns, won the league’s MVP award in 1993 while guiding the team to the NBA Finals.

Fitzsimmons had three different stints coaching the Suns, and over the course of his 21-year coaching career, compiled a record of 832-775.

Gonzalez played seven seasons for the Diamondbacks, helping lead the team to a World Series title in 2001. He left the team as its all-time leader in home runs, RBI, doubles, hits and walks.

Ammaccapane played collegiately at Arizona State University, where she earned All-American first-team honors and became an NCAA National Champiion in 1985, She went on to earn seven LPGA tournament victories as well as represent the United States on the 1986 Curtis Cup team.

Gilmartin is a long-time sportswriter in the Valley who was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as the winner of the Curt Gowdy Media Award in 2014.

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