CITY OF COMMERCEAGENDA REPORTCITY OF COMMERCEAGENDA REPORT
CITY OF COMMERCE
AGENDA REPORT
CITY OF COMMERCE
AGENDA REPORT
Item No. Item No.
Item No.
Item No.
TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: City Administrator
SUBJECT: HALL OF CHAMPIONS
Meeting Date: May 27, 2025
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that City Council consider and support the recommendation of the Parks and Recreation Commission in selecting Javier Molina, Olympic Boxer, for the 2025 Hall of Champions Award.
Mr. Molina’s achievements as an Olympic athlete and his ongoing contributions to the community exemplify the spirit and excellence this award is meant to honor. His dedication, perseverance, and positive influence serve as an inspiration to youth and residents alike.
ANALYSIS/BACKGROUND:
On Thursday, May 15, 2025, the Parks and Recreation Commission met for a Special Meeting to discuss and nominate the 2025 Hall of Champion(s) recipient.
The Parks and Recreation Commission unanimously voted in favor of recommending Jaiver Molina, Olympic Boxer by a vote of 4-0 vote, with one Commissioner absent.
The Commissioner thoroughly vetted all applications and, in a unanimous decision, confirmed that Javier Molina met all the criteria, while the remaining nominees did not meet the minimum requirements to be honored at this time.
Javier Molina’s extraordinary boxing journey began in the City of Commerce through the city’s boxing program. Starting at the age of nine, his talent was nurtured locally and developed into a career that brought him national and international acclaim. Among his many achievements, Mr. Molina won the 2006 Cadet World Championship, was the 2007 U.S. National Champion and Olympic Trials Champion, and proudly represented the United States at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China.
As a professional boxer, Mr. Molina recorded 22 wins and competed at local, national, and international levels. Beyond his personal accomplishments, he continues to give back to the community by coaching and mentoring young, up-and-coming boxing athletes, helping foster the next generation of champions.
Eligibility for Nomination
The purpose of the City of Commerce Hall of Champions Program is to recognize and honor Commerce athletes who have excelled in their respective sports and brought honor, recognition, distinction, and excellence to the City of Commerce through their achievements—both on and off the field, court, swimming pool, or other venues of competition.
This recognition aims to preserve and promote the spirit, pride, and sense of community within the City, while also serving as a historical record of the City’s rich and celebrated athletic traditions.
Athletes are eligible for nomination 5 years after their last date of City competition. They must be in good standing as determined by the Parks and Recreation Commission. Such athletes must have competed in a City of Commerce funded team or sport that competed and excelled at a level equal to Junior Olympics, AAU, or other high levels at a regional, or national level. The nominee must have accomplished in setting new individual or team records or titles, and/or made an impact on teams that won national or regional titles.
Nominations are also open to coaches, who must have participated with distinction and/or made significant contributions to athletics for the City of Commerce. For example, by the success of their teams and the acknowledgment of their former athletes. Such coaches shall be eligible for nomination beginning 10 years after their hire date with the City of Commerce.
Below you will find some of the criteria for which is needed to be eligible for nomination and recognition:
Selected to a national team or win a national title
Setting a national, state or regional record
Obtaining professional status in a sport
Below you will find eight (8) Nominees for 2025, (in no particular order) with their respective sport/coach that were submitted to the Parks and Recreation Commission for consideration:
2025 Nominees
Melissa Madrin – Aguilar Water Polo
Laura Margarita Lopez Water Polo and Swimming
Rosa Moreno Soccer
Chris Griego Coach
Javier Molina Boxing
Liliana Magana Boxing
Vanessa Haro Karate
Kimberly Diana Romero Water Polo and Swimming
All applications and supporting documentations are attached for Councils review.
Nomination Process
A candidate may be nominated for the Hall of Champions by any resident of the community.
All applications are to remain confidential, until placed on the Parks and Recreation Commission agenda. Information relating to a nominee's career statistics, records, achievements, etc. must be supported by accompanying documentation or sources cited so that the information may be verified independently.
Once presented as an eligible nominee, a candidate who is not elected shall automatically be reconsidered annually until he/she has been considered for five years. Thereafter, re-nomination may occur at any time. The Department will notify any nominators if their nominee is not selected.
All applications must have been received by the Parks and Recreation Department by Thursday, April 24, 2025, to be considered for induction during the July 4th festivities.
Election Process
All nominations must receive a minimum of three votes from the Parks and Recreation Commission to be officially nominated, reviewed, and forwarded to the City Council for final consideration.
Once approved by the Commission, the selected nominees will be placed on a future City Council agenda for review. Final induction into the Hall of Champions requires a formal vote by the City Council.
Induction Ceremony
The induction ceremony will take place during the 4th of July festivities. Inductees will have a chance to say a few words and have a photo opportunity with the City Council and their coaches if available. Their names will be added to the Hall of Champions perpetual plaque located in the Brenda Villa Aquatic Center.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This activity may be carried out without additional impact on the current operating budget.
RELATIONSHIP TO STRATEGIC GOALS:
The agenda item relates to the 2016 Strategic Plan, Community Quality of Life Guiding Principle 4:
Support and evaluate community services, programs and events that promote healthy and quality of lifestyles for our residents. Enhance public safety and social services through innovative programs that meet the needs of the residential and business communities.
Respectfully submitted: Ernie Hernandez, City Manager
Recommended by: Greg Alaniz, Parks and Recreation Director Approved as to form by: Noel Tapia, City Attorney
ATTACHMENTS:
Nominees and applications