Pueblo Community College Foundation Presents Pueblo Hall of Fame for 2015

The theme of the evening was that we have alot to be proud of in Pueblo. The outstanding accomplishments of the 2015 Pueblo Community College Foundation’s Hall of Fame recipients speak volumes about the pride and work ethic of our leaders, but the acceptance speeches also were a call to action to all Puebloans to sing the praises of our great city.

Eddie and Neta DeRose and Sollie Raso were honored Friday evening and received standing ovations for their stellar careers.

Mike DeRose took the stage to introduce his parents, telling stories of the bar being set high. “When I joined the family practice,” he said, “my father told me I should start out by only working half days to spend time with my family. Then he asked me, ‘would you like the first twelve hours or the second twelve hours?’ ” Eddie DeRose took the stage with his wife Neta and spoke about the pressing need to defend Pueblo to naysayers. “How many cities get to say that they have a national college football championship?” he smiled after reminding the crowd of all the attractions Pueblo has to offer.

Sollie Raso’s sons Gary and Sol accepted the award for their father, who at 93 is still very sharp but preferred to have his sons trek to the stage for him. They too touted the best things about Pueblo and the great memories they and sisters Debbie Lynch and D’Anne Raso had in growing up here.

The DeRoses and the Rasos had extended familiy members and friends filling the room to pay tribute to them. County Commissioner Buffie McFadyen and Council President Steve Nawrocki read proclamations to make March 6 “Eddie and Neta DeRose and Sollie Raso day.”

PCC student Brittney Martinez also took the stage earlier in the program and it was evident that she was well on her way to being a hall-of-famer in the making. PCC President Patty Erjavec and PCC Foundation President Joe Welte also took the stage to thank everyone for their support.

The Pueblo Hall of Fame was established to honor those individuals who by their extraordinary efforts have contributed to the betterment or enhancement of Pueblo. Proceeds from the annual event support the Pueblo Community College Foundation and its student scholar program.

A little about the 2015 inductees:

Dr. Eddie and Neta DeRose are founding members of Friends of Football, a group of local supporters who helped raise money to reinstate football, wrestling and women’s track and field at CSU-Pueblo. The home for the ThunderWolves, for now and forever, is named the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl. They are tireless supporters of CSU Pueblo, Pueblo Community College, the YMCA and numerous youth groups and sports teams.

Sollie Raso became a B-17 bombardier in WWII. After serving in the military, Sollie moved to Pueblo in 1947 and became a teacher and coach at Central High School. He advanced to become the principal at Central High School and held that position for twelve years before taking on the role of Director of Activities for District 60 until his retirement.

Sollie served as the President of the Colorado High School Activities Association in 1970-71 and received numerous honors from local, state and national professional organizations. He also served two terms as a Pueblo County Commissioner beginning in 1984.