RENO - The Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association, the non-profit governing body of high school athletics in the Silver State, inducted eight northern Nevadans into this year's Hall of Fame on Friday, Feb. 23, including Humboldt County and Lowry High graduates Jim de Arrieta and Vince Mendiola.
The other individuals inducted in the NIAA's 20th class were Todd Hess, James Huckaby, Bob Kerth, Gary Mattice, Steve McKnight and Bill Penaluna.
"The eight individuals we are inducting have contributed greatly to high school athletics in Nevada as an administrator, athlete, coach, contributor and/or official," said Eddie Bonine, executive director of the NIAA. "They have made a positive impact on the young men and women of our state in some very important ways and have helped to make many of their dreams come true."
de Arrieta was a 10-time varsity letter winner combined in the sports of football (three), basketball (three) and track and field at Humboldt County High School (1962 - 1966) in Winnemucca (now named Lowry High School). He was an all-conference and all-state selection on the gridiron (quarterback) and on the hardwood, and he was a conference record holder in the shot put. de Arrieta was eventually awarded a four-year scholarship to the University of Notre Dame and played for the Fighting Irish's 1966 national championship team.
Mendiola earned 11 varsity letters (four in football, three in basketball, one in baseball and three in golf) while a standout/all-state athlete at Lowry (1970 - 1974). He later worked as Lowry's head football, boys basketball and boys golf coach.
Mendiola eventually became one of the state's top athletic administrators, earning the state's Athletic Director of the Year award in 2006. He served as the 3A Northern League's president from 2003 through 2006, while serving as Lowry's A.D. from 1999 through 2009.
Mendiola directed multiple NIAA league and state championship events - for all different class levels - in no fewer than nine different sports.
Also inducted was Robert (Bob) Kerth, who worked as the principal at Gabbs from 1957 - 1959, at Humboldt County (Lowry) from 1959 - 1965 and at Elko from 1973 - 1978. He worked as the vice principal at Elko from 1965 - 1973 and then in the Elko County School District's central office from 1973 - 1978.
All told, Kerth served 27 years in Nevada education and eight years (1970 - 1978) on the NIAA's Board of Control. He was instrumental in ushering in championship status to girls' athletics and assisting with the formation of the state's student council organization.
Kerth was also, when time permitted, a dedicated football and basketball official (1957 - 1978) for the NENOA.
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