Henry Oliva was born in Ventura in 1901.
Throughout his lifetime he has been a lover, organizer, promoter and supporter of sports in Ventura County.
In 1922 he organized the first boys’ basketball league in Ventura. In the pre-World War II era, he promoted boxing and wrestling at the Ventura Athletic Club and later at the El Rio Stadium.
Oliva was a vital factor in bringing professional baseball to Ventura and was president of the Ventura County Baseball Club.