Kofa Athletic Hall of Fame inducts Class of 2026; Givens three-time honoree

Kofa High School celebrated the induction of its Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2026, honoring six athletes, one coach and one championship team whose records and mentorship span five of the last six decades of Crimson and White athletics. The ceremony, led by Athletic Hall of Fame Chairman Billy Leguna, brought together alumni, coaches and community supporters to recognize long-standing contributions to local sports culture.

The induction ceremony took place on January 25, 2026, and featured several familiar faces from Kofa’s recent history. Edgar Ramirez, Class of 2003 and a standout on the baseball field, reflected on the recognition and the people behind it. "Just to hear the amazing people that are involved with this, and everyone who gets nominated... kudos to the Hall of Fame Committee for putting this together," Ramirez said. Andrea Renteria, also Class of 2003 and a two-sport athlete in softball and volleyball, described the emotional weight of the weekend. "I've been trying to soak it in and just live in the moment and really get all the feels," Renteria said.

A central highlight of the night was the triple recognition of longtime boys soccer coach David Givens. Givens was inducted as an individual and as part of the 1989 Boys Soccer State Championship team, adding to his earlier induction as head coach of the 1983 Boys Soccer State Championship team. The three-time honoree emphasized the communal nature of coaching and achievement. "There's been a lot of great coaches come through here," Givens said. "I appreciate the honor, but the coach is only as good as the players that play for you. I'm more excited about the guys than I am myself."

Speeches and remembrances at the ceremony reinforced a common theme among inductees: the life skills learned through school sports. "A lot of it goes to perseverance, grit, time, reps," one inductee said. "There's definitely no excuses when it comes to this game, especially if you want to make it to the next level." Ramirez stressed another lesson that resonated beyond athletics: "Accountability," he said. "Showing up on time... if you’re ten minutes early, you're actually five minutes late. Little things like that teach you more than just the game; they teach you about life."

For Yuma County, the Class of 2026 is more than a roll call of past winners. These recognitions reinforce local role models who encourage physical activity, teamwork and persistence among young people. The multi-decade span of inductees also highlights how intergenerational mentorship and school athletics contribute to community cohesion. At the same time, the ceremony underscores ongoing conversations about equitable access to sports programs, safe play spaces and sustained funding to ensure today’s students can benefit similarly.

The Class of 2026 now joins Kofa’s storied tradition, offering tangible examples of discipline and community pride. For readers, the induction is a reminder to support local athletics programs and the mentors who help turn youthful talent into life skills that matter well beyond the playing field.