Jeff Taylor, center, smiles as he holds his NMI Sports Hall of Fame trophy while posing for a photo with Lt. Gov. David Apatang and the Northern Marianas Sports Association board members during the 2024 NMSA awards banquet and 40th anniversary celebration at the Taga Hall of Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan on Thursday night.
Photo by James F. Sablan Jr.
JEFF Taylor, well known for his contributions in the sport of golf, was inducted into the NMI Sports Hall of Fame during the Northern Marianas Sports Association annual awards banquet and 40th anniversary celebration at the Taga Hall of Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan on Thursday.
Sponsored by the Tan Siu Lin Foundation, the event also featured former KSPN sportscaster Bob Coldeen, who presented a special video showcasing highlights from various sports under the NMSA umbrella.
Starting with just baseball, basketball, and volleyball, the NMSA has expanded to include 17 sports, and with that growth, the NMI Sports Hall of Fame roster has also increased.
From 2004 to 2023, the roster included Antonio Rogolifoi (Basketball), Jeanne & Bill Sakovich (Swimming), Mike Villagomez (Swimming), Antonio Satur (Softball), Irene Alpet (Tennis), Kurt Barnes (Athletics), Francisco Palacios (Baseball), Cecilia Lisua (Athletics & Volleyball), Jose Tenorio Sablan (Softball), Ricardo Duenas (Volleyball), Antonio Benavente (Baseball), Jess Wabol (Golf), Jeff Race (Tennis), Francisco Castro (Golf), Tino Olopai (Basketball), Vicente Saures (Volleyball), Reno Celis (Baseball), Maggie Olopai-Taitano (Softball), Melvin Sakisat (Softball), Bertha Chong Tudela (Volleyball), Michael White (Basketball), Antonio Ichiou (Athletics), Greg Camacho (Baseball), Manny Sablan (Baseball), Frank Sonny Flores (Baseball), Max Pangelinan (Softball), Tony Camacho (Baseball) Emiliana Quitugua (Athletics), Peter Camaho (Basketball), Elias Rangamar (Basketball), Jonathan Sakovich (Swimming), Joyce Taro (Softball), Lourdes Rangamar (Athletics), Connie Camacho (Basketball), Xenavee Torwal (Swimming), Jerry Ayuyu (Basketball), Chris Nelson (Baseball), and Rufino Aguon (Basketball).
Following the video presentation, Jeff Taylor was inducted into the NMI Sports Hall of Fame.
Taylor represented the NMI in numerous regional competitions and made his national team debut in 1995 during the South Pacific Games in Tahiti where he won a bronze medal and was the only NMI athlete to make it to the podium that day.
He also suited up for the NMI national team for the 2006 Micronesian Games and the 2011 Pacific Games in New Caledonia.
Over his 30 years of playing, he won numerous local tournaments in the NMI and claimed victories in several tournaments in Guam as well.
Along with a trophy, Taylor received a $100 gift certificate from the Tan Siu Lin Foundation, and a one-night stay and dinner for two at Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan.
“It feels like a dream,” he said after receiving his award. “What an honor. Thank you so much to everyone and NMSA for voting me in, and to my family for my support. I love you guys so much.”
The other awardees will be featured in the next editions of Variety.
