Gallup Talons sign head coach and top Native American player
May 14, 2005 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
Gallup Outlaws News Release
Gallup, NM. The Navajo Code Talker Room at the McKinley County Chamber of Commerce was the perfect setting for the official signing of the Gallup Talons head coach and first player. After a brief introduction of the new front office staff, owner Joe Kolb introduced Clayton Shields as the team's first head coach. Prior to signing his contract before the capacity crowd of more than 50 people, Shields was formally welcomed to Gallup by Bob Roseborough, Mayor of the city. Roseborough commented on what the team and people like Shields will mean to Gallup.
"I'm excited about the opportunity and look forward to developing a top-notch team for Gallup," said Shields, a former standout at the University of New Mexico. Shields had spent time playing professional basketball in Australia and Europe following his graduation from UNM in 1998. Shields, a native of Baytown, Texas, is the fourth leading scorer in UNM history with 1837 points and was selected as Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year in 1998. Shields' first task as head coach was signing Matt Vail as the first Gallup Talons player. To the excitement of many in the community, Vail, among the top Native American players in the country, officially signed his contract with most of his family in attendance. "I've been waiting a long time for this opportunity and can't wait to get my sneakers wet," said the 6'3" shooting guard. Vail, 27, is a resident of nearby Grants, NM, and has established himself a reputation as a consistant shooter and reliable defender playing at Grants High School, Eastern New Mexico and New Mexico Highlands University. He finished his career at New Mexico Highlands with 1033 points avering 20 per game, seven rebounds and four assists. He holds the university's record for three pointers in one game with 10. Vail returned to Eastern New Mexico University to complete his undergraduate degree in 2001. In 1999-2000, he was named to the First Team Rocky Mt. Athletic Conference.
At the press conference, Kolb also named the following: Ed Armijo, General Manager; Tom Hartsock, Director of Media Relations; Rachael Kolb, Director of Youth Programs; Kristy Tiley, Dance Team Coach.
For more information, contact Joe Kolb at gallupsports@gmail.com or call Tom Hartsock at 505 726 8330 or visit www.abalive.com. --
Note: OurSports Central no longer actively covers the American Basketball Association (ABA) as a professional league due in part to its inability to publish and play a schedule and the transitory nature of many of its teams. For information on professional minor leagues, please see OSC's basketball section.
American Basketball Association Stories from May 14, 2005
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