THE WRITING ON (AND OFF) THE WALL ONE HALL OF AN IDEA.

Byline: TOM HOFFARTH

The state of California, just an earthquake away from becoming a splintered mess of West Coast real estate, would likely become destitute in a time of real emergency.

How would a volunteer from FEMA on the other end of a phone call for help be able to figure out just what our governor was trying to pronounce.

You need cauliflower? Could you repeat that?

As for the state of sports in the Golden State, there's already some territorial disarray. But not in a bad way. Our area-code defined regions of interest actually help define the rival turfs of our intrastate existence.

L.A. vs. Orange County. NoCal vs. SoCal. Eureka, we have found dividing lines.

Now, Christian Okoye wants to make peace by piecing everything together.

The former Kansas City Chiefs running back, who grew up in Nigeria but discovered an athletic career at Azusa Pacific, a tiny private Christian school in the San Gabriel Valley, said he's often wondered why his state of residence didn't have its own sports Hall of Fame. Maybe it dawned on him when he was being put into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. Or the NAIA Track and Field Hall of Fame in Kansas. Or the Senior Bowl Hall of Fame in Alabama.

``Considering the number of legends we have here, I was shocked we didn't have one,'' Okoye said from his Rancho Cucamonga office.

For someone experienced in running his own nutrition supplement business who has also succeeded over the past 17 years with a nonprofit foundation that supports youth sports programs, Okoye was ready to carry the ball on this one.

The whole idea of a first-class Hall is one thing. Next, who'd be the first class?

``Trust me, that is the hardest part,'' Okoye said.

Some high-powered friends -- Tommy Lasorda, Bill Walsh, Rafer Johnson and Bill Walsh -- pitched in, and the result of their efforts will finally be seen at a banquet tonight in Anaheim, where 19 sports figures get first dibs on celebrating their California-ness.

Truth is, there's probably 190candidates equally deserving.

Three years ago, when Sports Illustrated did a list of the top 50 homegrown sports figures from each of the 50 states, it saved California for last, calling it No. 1 in sports.

``Indiana has its basketball, Kentucky its Derby, Texas its Friday night lights,'' wrote Michael Silver in the story that went with the poll results. ``California's claim to fame is, well, fame.''

Remember our name.

Okoye and company decided that to qualify for this California Hall, the only criteria was that a nominee had to ``have had an impact in sports in California while playing, coaching, writing or announcing sports for any school, team or sports media company in California.'' From a state of 33million that supports more than 20 pro teams and just as many universities with Division I programs, that's a lot of area to cover.

Sandy Koufax, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Tiger Woods, Vin Scully, Willie Shoemaker, Willie Mays, Tony Gwynn, Mark Spitz, John Elway, Joe Montana, Wayne Gretzky, Bill Walton, Billie Jean King, Barry Bonds, Greg Louganis, Don Drysdale, Steve Garvey, Jack Kramer, Serena and Venus Williams, Frank Gifford, Nolan Ryan, Walter Alston, Luc Robitaille, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal, O.J. Simpson, Phil Jackson, George Allen, Tommy Prothro, Mark McGwire, Bill Russell, Reggie Bush, Matt Leinart, Dan Fouts, Janet Evans, Don Budge, Norm Van Brocklin, Bill Sharman, Ann Meyers, Glenn Davis, Carson Palmer, Pete Sampras, Greg Lemond, Florence Griffith Joyner, Karch Kiraly, Bob Waterfield and Gail Goodrich -- they have to be part of the first California kids in the Hall group?

Well, no.

``A lot of things came into play when deciding who'd be first,'' said Okoye, a decent candidate himself. ``We had to consider how we'd make a splash and find people everyone could identify with. Obviously, there are so many worthy to be in several halls of fame. We have more legends than anyone. Let's just call this a start and see where we go.''

Of the 19 inductees, nine are part of Okoye's advisory board. KCBS sportscaster Jim Hill, also on the board, will emcee tonight's $300-a- ticket fundraiser that will not just help at-risk youths, but fund a permanent Hall location.

For now, Okoye has a spot in Irvine on the radar. When that's built, the current governor of California could be giving the dedication speech. The former world-class body builder would also qualify for induction, it would seem.

Hey Arnold, any state funding available for this program?

CAPTION(S):

3 photos, 2 boxes

Photo:

(1) SERENA WILLIAMS

(2) PEYTON MANNING

(3) LANE KIFFIN

Box:

(1) sunday punch

(2) The Pop Quiz