Last Saturday at New Paradise Baptist Church, local sports legends Saladin Martin, Wes Williams, David Dunn, and Reggie Waller were recognized for their athletic achievements and deep connections to Southeast San Diego.
Family and friends gathered to hear acceptance speeches reflecting on sacrifice, dedication, and overcoming obstacles. Those honored were:
- Wes Williams: A Lincoln High School and SDSU graduate. Wes was a highly decorated sprinter and hurdler champion in the 1970s before becoming a successful track-and-field coach and trainer.
- Reggie Waller: A high school baseball legend from Hoover High School. Reggie went on to work as a scout, manager, and executive in Major League Baseball’s minor league systems.
- David Dunn: A Morse High School graduate. David played seven years in the NFL and currently coaches at Lincoln High School. He is widely recognized for turning the Lincoln football program into a perennial playoff contender, county-city and state champion.
- Saladin Martin: A Lincoln High School graduate. Saladin became an NFL Super Bowl Champion with the San Francisco 49ers.
Saladin shared, “This award means more to me than the Super Bowl because it is from the community that I grew up in.”
Additionally, Southeast Sports Coalition CEO Herald Allen presented special award plaques to two community treasures: Sharon Powell, mother of Lincoln alum and NBA All-Star Norman Powell, for her ongoing community support, and Joe Bonds, a master musician recognized for his wisdom, positive presence, and community spirit.
“Today was another opportunity to recognize and celebrate with our community legends,” Herald Allen said. “We realize we can’t always wait on others to recognize our heroes and their outstanding accomplishments, so we will continue to do so.”
Reflecting on the honor, one awardee, David Dunn, shared, “I didn’t know what to expect today, but this was awesome, and I don’t take this award lightly. I’m very honored to be mentioned with these legends. We all share a similar journey, and I appreciate Herald and his Coalition for considering me for this award.”
There were plenty of laugh-out-loud moments by the speakers and their presenters, and lots of applause from the crowd of well-wishers inside the New Paradise Church at 420 68th Street.
