California native George Fernandez received a letter last month from alma mater Newark Memorial High School. He received news that he’d be a member of the inaugural class of the Newark Ring of Honor — Athletics Hall of Fame. “Well,
California native George Fernandez received a letter last month from alma mater Newark Memorial High School.
He received news that he’d be a member of the inaugural class of the Newark Ring of Honor — Athletics Hall of Fame.
“Well, definitely honored, humbled, and kind of embarrassed I guess,” Fernandez said in a phone interview Friday. “It’s a great honor, but I’m kind of to myself — low key. It is what it is. It is something to be proud of. I love sports. I pretty much did it 24 hours.”
Fernandez, though from the San Francisco Bay Area, has family ties to Kauai. His mother, Lynette Haulani Fernandez, is a local native and lives in Anahola. He usually visits every few years — most recently this past summer for a family reunion.
“Basically, my whole family lives there. I got a brother and two sisters. My youngest sister lives on Oahu,” he said.
After graduating from then Memorial High School in 1979 — where he lettered in soccer, football and badminton — he went on to play soccer for four years at Hayward State — now known as California State University, East Bay.
He got drafted in 1983 and spend the next 15 years playing professionally in now defunct indoor soccer leagues Major Indoor Soccer League and National Professional Soccer League. Fernandez also spent time with the United States national team.
He also coached for five years in the NPSL.
Fernandez now resides New Franklin, Ohio with his family.
The hall of fame ceremony is today in California. Unfortunately, he won’t be able to attend. His mother will instead accept on his behalf. She couldn’t be reached for comment Friday.
“I had an accident (last January). I slipped on ice. I pretty much tore an artery in my leg. It clotted. My foot died and it got amputated,” Fernandez said. “I’ve had three to four surgeries this past year. I just had one in November. Just the swelling — they said if I travel, it might damage something.”
“It was a freak accident. It just happens,” he added. “I got my good days and my bad days, but I’m getting through it. My wife’s been great. Friends have been great. I got a good supporting cast, for sure.”
Fernandez said though he won’t be able to attend the ceremony, he’s appreciative of the honor.
“It’s kind of strange. It’s kind of freaky,” he said. “It’s just out of the blue. Who’d ever thought? It’s just one of those things that happens. Just very fortunate to be a part of it. Like I said, I’m just honored and humbled.”
