Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame

The Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame is an American sports hall of fame based in Suffolk County on Long Island, New York.[1] The non-profit was established during 1990 to honor outstanding people, living or deceased, who have gained prominence and made substantial contributions on behalf of themselves and Suffolk County in professional and amateur sports.[1][2]

Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame
Part of the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame's exhibit at Long Island MacArthur Airport
Established1990
LocationSuffolk County, New York, U.S.
TypeSports Hall of Fame
DirectorChris R. Vaccaro (Since 2017)
Websitehttp://www.SuffolkSportsHOF.com/

History

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During its early existence, The Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame maintained a museum and education center that was located on South Ocean Avenue in Patchogue, New York. The facility closed during 2013. Soon after, traveling and permanent satellite exhibits began to appeare throughout Suffolk County. Permanent exhibits are featured at Long Island MacArthur Airport, Bethpage Ballpark, home of the Long Island Ducks, and Huntington Town Hall.[3][1][4]

Since 1990, 396 inductees have entered the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame.[5]

The Hall of Fame underwent a significant transformation during 2017-2018 under the guidance of Executive Director Chris R. Vaccaro. He implemented a rebranding initiative for the organization that included new logo, the development of a website and the creation of social media channels. Vaccaro also addressed portions of the annual induction ceremony and golf outing that provided greater recognition for the organization among supporters, inductees and the public.[6]

In August 2019, the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame debuted its historic marker program that honors locations of sporting significance within the county. The first marker commemorated Bethpage Ballpark, the home of the Long Island Ducks. This location is the site of the longest operated professional sports franchise and ballpark in Suffolk County history.[7]

Executive directors

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  • Gaetano “Butch” Dellecave, 1990-2000[2]
  • Edward J. Morris, 2000-2017[2]
  • Chris R. Vaccaro, 2017–Present[2][8]

Categories of induction

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The Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame honors inductees in 33 categories.

  • Athletic Directors
  • Auto Racing
  • Badminton
  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Boating & Nautical
  • Bowling
  • Boxing
  • Coaches
  • Community Sports
  • Field Hockey
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Gymnastics
  • Handball
  • Hockey
  • HOF Committee Member / Founder
  • Horse Racing
  • Journalism & Media
  • Lacrosse
  • Martial Arts
  • Officials
  • Olympics
  • Professional Sports
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Special Olympics
  • Sports Medicine
  • Swimming & Diving
  • Tennis
  • Track & Field
  • Volleyball
  • Wrestling

Special categories

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  • Historic Recognition for individuals and teams. Inductees: New York Cuban Giants, Belmont Family, Harry Chadwick (writer), Marion Hollins and John Montgomery Ward, and Charlie Bunger.
  • Special Recognition for individuals and athletic programs. Inductees: Louis J. Acompora, Dr. H. Jean Berger, Matthew DiStefano, Aaron Feis, Ruth Gracey, Annamae McKeever-Kress, Jeannette Rogers, Ward Melville Boys Lacrosse and Ralph Macchio.
  • Edward J. Morris Lifetime Achievement Award: named for the 2000-2017 executive director of the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame, the award honors an individual who has committed a lifetime to generate a positive impact in Suffolk County Sports.The first recipient was Edward J. Morris.
  • Golf Tournament Honorees: each year, The Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame honors an individual at the annual golf outing.
  • Special Recognition Award: presented to an organization or group that supports a community through sports and athletics.

Inductees

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Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame inductees appear below.

# Name Sport Year Inducted
1 Marge Auster Multiple Sports, Officials 1990
2 Kevin Baugh Football 1990
3 Frank Benjamin Track & Field, Basketball, Athletic Directors 1990
3 Tom Bohrer Boating & Nautical 1990
4 Al Edwards Basketball 1990
5 Ralph Elliott Basketball 1990
6 Boomer Esiason Football 1990
7 Greg Flippen Track & Field 1990
8 Charles Forte Baseball 1990
9 Tracy Fuchs Field Hockey 1990
10 Dan Jiggets Football 1990
11 Ed Kirkman Journalism & Media 1990
12 Mitch Kupchak Basketball 1990
13 Frank Layden Basketball, Professional Sports 1990
14 Al Oerter Track & Field 1990
15 Henry J. Read Football, Coaches 1990
16 Randy Smith Basketball 1990
17 Jim Sullivan Officials 1990
18 John Veryzer Basketball 1990
19 Carl Yastrzemski Baseball 1990
20 Bob Burns Journalism & Media, Community Sports 1991
21 ”Big Ed” Ed Danowski Football 1991
22 Raymond Enners Lacrosse 1991
23 Jamie Franklin Football 1991
24 Billy Graham Boxing 1991
25 Lou Howard Football, Coaches 1991
26 Jan Kandler Special Olympics 1991
27 Robert Muir Soccer, Basketball, Baseball, Track 1991
28 Sarah Reinersten Track & Field 1991
29 William “Pete” Rogers Athletic Directors 1991
30 Bill Thieben Basketball 1991
31 Van Nostrand Family Tennis 1991
32 Clarence "Foots" Walker Basketball 1991
33 Sue Wicks Basketball 1991
34 W. Homer Ball Basketball 1992
35 David Blitz Special Olympics 1992
36 Marilyn Cross Gymnastics 1992
37 John Curtis II Baseball 1992
38 Robert L. Fallot Sports Medicine 1992
39 Joe Fanelli Journalism & Media 1992
40 James Gilhooley Track & Field, Coaches 1992
41 Bud Harrelson Baseball 1992
42 Toby Knight Basketball 1992
43 James "Buddy" McGirt Boxing 1992
44 John Schmitt Football 1992
45 Frank Urso Lacrosse 1992
46 Joe Vignato Coaches, Basketball, Track & Field, Soccer 1992
47 Scott Vogel Boating & Nautical 1992
48 Chuck Brown Swimming & Diving 1993
49 Charles H. Clark Journalism & Media 1993
50 John "Jumbo" Elliott Football 1993
51 John F. Foley Athletic Directors, HOF Committee Member/Founder 1993
52 Cliff LaPlatney Coaches 1993
53 Adam Mariano Wrestling 1993
54 Michael McKillop Football 1993
55 Edward "Mickey" Norton Community Sports 1993
56 Harold Schwab Track & Field 1993
57 Charlise Brown-Whiteside Swimming & Diving 1993
58 Bobby Wine Baseball 1993
59 Ann Marie Wycoff Bagshaw Swimming & Diving 1994
60 Jim Barbanell Journalism & Media 1994
61 Fred Biangardi Baseball 1994
62 Jim "Sonny" Carman Softball 1994
63 Sal Ciampi Baseball, Football 1994
64 Kevin Foley Basketball 1994
65 Frank Gugliotta Basketball, Coaches 1994
70 Tom Gugliotta Basketball 1994
71 Dorrie Jackson Football 1994
72 H. Allen Jerkens Horse Racing 1994
73 Dick McGuire Basketball 1994
74 Thad J. Mularz Baseball, Soccer 1994
75 Tom Murphy Baseball 1994
76 Pat Peterson Cross Country, Track 1994
77 Glenn Vickers Basketball 1994
78 Joseph A. Campo Wrestling, Football 1995
79 Artie Dromerhauser Baseball 1995
80 Lou Giani Wrestling, Coaches 1995
81 Paul Gibson Baseball 1995
82 Kevin Hamilton Basketball 1995
83 Charlie Jarzombek Auto Racing 1995
84 Lisa Anne Ingerbretsen Jensen Gymnastics 1995
85 George Hiram Monsell Boating & Nautical 1995
86 Brad Rock Football 1995
87 George Usher Journalism & Media 1995
88 Tom Veryzer Baseball 1995
89 Kelley Watts Basketball 1995
90 Stan Wilcox Basketball 1995
91 Bernie Wyatt Football 1995
92 Paul Annacone Tennis 1996
93 Emerson Boozer Football 1996
94 Catherine Bretz Special Olympics 1996
95 Joseph L. Cipp, Jr Football 1996
96 Jim Dietz Football 1996
97 Frederick V. Harbach Auto Racing 1996
98 Floretta "Flo" Jackson Basketball 1996
99 Danny Lotz Basketball 1996
100 John C. Lotz Basketball 1996
101 Edward Petrie Basketball, Coaches 1996
102 David S. Rothenberg Athletic Directors 1996
103 Charles Boccia Softball 1997
104 Adrina Crichlow Basketball 1997
105 Tracey Day Martial Arts 1997
106 Al Desiderio Baseball 1997
107 Art Figliozzi Basketball, Officials, HOF Committee Member/Founder 1997
108 Al "T-Bone" Giordano Baseball, Athletic Directors 1997
109 Gerry Hart Hockey 1997
110 Neal Heaton Baseball 1997
111 Robert Hoppey Lacrosse, Coaches 1997
112 Bob Kaczynski Baseball 1997
113 Joe Miceli Boxing 1997
114 Walt Michaels Football 1997
115 John Niland Football 1997
116 Walter M. "Buck" Ramsey Athletic Directors 1997
117 Carl T. Smith Football 1997
118 Martin H. Albert Athletic Director 1998
119 Michael Cavaliere Basketball 1998
120 Nancy Cole Field Hockey 1998
121 Joe Cuozzo Lacrosse 1998
122 Guy "Butch" Dellecave Basketball, HOF Committee Member/Founder 1998
123 John Eden Soccer 1998
124 Nick Gallo Wrestling 1998
125 Clark Gillies Hockey 1998
126 Richard Francis Migliore Horse Racing 1998
127 Walter Curtis Miles Jr. Wrestling, baseball 1998
128 Joe Romanosky Basketball 1998
129 Ronald C. Davies Baseball 1999
130 Joe Erickson Football 1999
131 Michael Francis Foley "Mick" Wrestling 1999
132 Stan Kellner Basketball, Coaches 1999
133 Robert Lavinia Football 1999
134 Jumper Leggio Wrestling 1999
135 Brendan McCann Basketball, Coach 1999
136 Patricia McCarrick Badminton, Coaches 1999
137 Calvin Nicholas Sports Medicine 1999
138 Richard Osmer Athletic Directors 1999
139 Carl Varone Track & Field, Basketball, Baseball 1999
140 David Weiss Journalism & Media 1999
141 Tom Black Football 2000
142 Joe DeLucca Baseball 2000
143 Joe Gardi Football, Coaches 2000
144 D.J. Goldstein Football 2000
145 Howie Heckman Baseball, Basketball Soccer, Softball 2000
146 Bill Ketchan Baseball 2000
147 Barry Landers Journalism & Media 2000
148 John Montgomery Ward Baseball, Historic Recognition 2000
149 Diane Nelson Horse Racing 2000
150 Dennis Oehler Track & Field 2000
151 Dick Simmons Track & Field, Coaches 2000
152 Gerry Smith Baseball 2000
153 George Waldbauer Community Sports 2000
154 Wesley Walker Football 2000
155 Rob Burnett Football 2001
156 Gordon Forbes Journalism & Media 2001
157 Michael Hebron Golf 2001
158 Ed Hubbard Community Sports, Wrestling 2001
159 Marty Lyons Football 2001
160 Thomas J. McAteer Community Sports 2001
161 George O'Leary Coach, Football 2001
162 Wayne Shierant Coaches, Football 2001
163 Doug Wells Baseball 2001
164 Sara Whalen Soccer 2001
165 Bob Ambrosini Baseball 2002
166 Belmont Family Horse Racing, Historic Recognition 2002
167 Craig Biggio Baseball 2002
168 Sal Butera Baseball 2002
169 Mickey Crowley Basketball 2002
170 Tom Dietz Track & Field 2002
171 Marion Hollins Golf, Historic Recognition 2002
172 Alan Mayer Soccer 2002
173 Art Snelders Athletic Directors 2002
174 Theresa Tiso Volleyball 2002
175 Frank Bolton Baseball 2003
176 Tom Cassese Football 2003
177 Fred Fusaro Coaching, Football 2003
178 Carl Johnson Basketball, Coaching 2003
179 Gloria Kruckel Basketball, Field Hockey, Softball, Track & Field 2003
180 Jack Lang Journalism 2003
181 Kerry McCoy Wrestling 2003
182 Pete Cheviot Football 2004
183 Jack Mahoney Wrestling 2004
184 Steve Park Auto Racing 2004
185 David Russell Basketball 2004
186 Rick Schmidt Baseball 2004
187 Bill Shelley Track & Field 2004
188 Frank Tepedino Baseball 2004
189 Bob Wenzel Basketball, Coaches 2004
190 Gerry Cooney Boxing 2005
191 John Davide Baseball 2005
192 John Habyan Baseball 2005
193 Mike James Basketball 2005
194 Jamie LaBelle Football 2005
195 Rich Wrase Basketball 2005
196 Wayne Anderson Auto Racing 2006
197 Harry Bjerke Gymnastics, Officials 2006
198 Tony Cerullo Football 2006
199 Bob Chipman Baseball 2006
200 Nick DeCillis Athletic Directors 2006
201 Tony Gamboli Coaches, Golf 2006
202 Kim Gwydir Softball 2006
203 Kevin White Athletic Directors 2006
204 Jack Agostino Basketball 2007
205 Joe Buzzetta Auto Racing 2007
206 Justin Davies Baseball 2007
207 Warren Fuller Basketball, Coaches 2007
208 Christine Gentile Track & Field 2007
209 Ed McGrath Martial Arts 2007
210 Sal Mignano Baseball 2007
211 Jim Plate Basketball 2007
212 Catherine Vayianos Coaches, Basketball, Softball, Tennis, Volleyball 2007
213 Keri Bettenhauser-Pratt Basketball, Field Hockey, Softball 2008
214 Alicia Conquest-Bulgin Basketball 2008
215 Phyllis Deveney Basketball 2008
216 Al Ellis Soccer 2008
217 Judy Kopelman Field Hockey 2008
218 Keith Osik Baseball 2008
219 Jon Reese Lacrosse 2008
220 Kenny Schroy Football 2008
221 Jerry Brown Baseball 2009
222 Kevin Cassese Lacrosse 2009
223 Rich Castellano Basketball 2009
224 Melvin Fowler, Jr. Football 2009
225 Patricia Habers Officials 2009
226 Pete Harnisch Baseball 2009
227 Joe Maniaci Basketball 2009
228 John Nitti Football 2009
229 Bill Batewell Baseball 2010
230 Will Brown Basketball 2010
231 Buzz Deschamps Hockey 2010
232 Nick Garone Wrestling 2010
233 Howard A. Thomas Coaches, Football 2010
234 Jim McGowan Softball 2010
235 Joe Patrovich Football, Wrestling 2010
236 Jeff Schaefer Baseball 2010
237 Eric Brown Baseball 2011
238 Don Buckley Athletic Directors 2011
239 Frank Catalanotto Baseball 2011
240 Cathy Gallagher Athletic Directors 2011
241 Jesse Jantzen Wrestling 2011
242 Jim Mecir Baseball 2011
243 Jeff Reh Lacrosse 2011
244 Scott Reh Lacrosse 2011
245 Barbara Williams Hockey 2011
246 Richard Berg Basketball 2012
247 Mike Canobbio Baseball 2012
248 Anthony Famiglietti Track & Field 2012
249 Matt Farrago Boxing 2012
250 Chris Ferraro Hockey 2012
251 Peter Ferraro Hockey 2012
252 Joe Russo Wrestling 2012
253 Gregg Sarra Journalism 2012
254 Paul Brodmerkel Wrestling 2013
255 Nicole Kaczmarski Basketball 2013
256 John Klein Football 2013
257 Jim Mahoney Basketball 2013
258 John Papanek Journalism & Media 2013
259 John Tice Football 2013
260 Mike Tice Coaches, Football 2013
261 Risa Zander Basketball, Coaches 2013
262 Steve Borbet Track & Field 2014
263 Fred Cambria Baseball 2014
264 Ed Cinelli Athletic Directors, Football 2014
265 Scott Craig Lacrosse 2014
266 Bill Edwards Softball 2014
267 James Metzger Lacrosse 2014
268 Tom Sabatelle Athletic Directors 2014
269 Nick Schroeder Basketball, Baseball, Football 2014
270 Doug Shanahan Lacrosse 2014
271 Gary Brown Football 2015
272 Howard Cooley Bowling 2015
273 Ken Friedheim Gymnastics 2015
274 Rob Grable Baseball 2015
275 John Gregorek Track & Field 2015
276 Bob Herzog Journalism & Media 2015
277 Richard Mercurio Lacrosse 2015
278 Rob Pannell Lacrosse 2015
279 Carol Rose Larosse 2015
280 Walter Williams Athletic Director 2015
281 Jill Byers Lacrosse 2016
282 Rich Cimini Journalism & Media 2016
283 Tom Combs Athletic Directors, Football 2016
284 Chuck Downey Football 2016
285 Laura Gentile Journalism & Media 2016
286 Gene Heeter Football 2016
287 Maria Michta-Coffey Track & Field 2016
288 Isaac Ramaswamy Wrestling 2016
289 Frank Romeo Basketball, Coaches 2016
290 Pete Blieberg Athletic Directors, Football 2017
291 Karen Dromerhauser-Velardo Softball 2017
292 Linda Nicosia-Detlefsen Track & Field 2017
293 John Pacella Baseball 2017
294 Ray Searage Baseball 2017
295 Mark Semioli Soccer 2017
296 Brent Ziegler Football 2017
297 Stephen Bowen Football 2018
298 Robert Burkely Track & Field 2018
299 Joseph Dooley Football, Officials 2018
300 Cheryl Klein-Obelar Track & Field 2018
301 Edward J. Morris HOF Committee 2018
302 Matt Ryan Handball 2018
303 Harry Schneider Track & Field 2018
304 Shannon Smith Lacrosse 2018
305 Clement Stancik Tennis 2018
306 Hans Wiederkehr Football 2018
307 Scott Beigel Coaches, Track & Field, Special Recognition 2019
308 Gary Bettman Hockey 2019
309 Bob Costas Journalism & Media 2019
310 Aaron Feis Special Recognition 2019
311 Jerry Figgiani Martial Arts 2019
312 Bria Hartley Basketball 2019
313 Sam Kornhauser Coaches, Football 2019
314 William Kropp Coaches, Volleyball 2019
315 Gug Leggio Coaches, Wrestling 2019
316 New York Cuban Giants Baseball, Historic Recognition 2019
317 Ward Melville Boys Lacrosse Lacrosse, Special Recognition 2019
318 Louis J. Acompora Lacrosse, Special Recognition 2020
319 Sal Agostinelli Baseball 2020
320 Kenny Atkinson Basketball 2020
321 Kim Barnes Arico Basketball 2020
322 Dr. H. Jean Berger Pioneering Women, Special Recognition 2020
323 Henry Chadwick Baseball, Historic Recognition 2020
324 Rick Cole Jr. Athletic Directors 2020
325 Thomas Cutinella Football 2020
326 Matthew DiStefano Coaches, Special Recognition 2020
327 Ron Eden Coaches 2020
328 Ruth Gracey Pioneering Women, Special Recognition 2020
329 Mark Herrmann Journalism 2020
330 Larry Izzo Basketball, Baseball 2020
331 Paul Koretzki Track & Field 2020
332 Allie Long Soccer 2020
333 Annamae McKeever-Kress Pioneering Women, Special Recognition 2020
334 Rich Reichert Coaches 2020
335 Raymond Reid Coaches 2020
336 Kevin Riccio Football 2020
337 Jeannette Rogers Pioneering Women, Special Recognition 2020
338 Andy Slawson Journalism & Media 2020
339 Joe Spallina Coaches 2020
340 Bob Syzmanski Track & Field 2020
341 Karen Ferguson-Dayes Soccer, Coaches 2021
342 Jason Fraser Basketball, Coaches 2021
343 Randy Givens Olympics, Track & Field 2021
344 Tony Guido Lacrosse 2021
345 Val James Hockey 2021
346 Rohan Murphy Wrestling 2021
347 John Paci Football 2021
348 Joe Reilly Coaches 2021
349 Don Webster Athletic Directors 2021
350 Sam Apuzzo Lacrosse, Coaches 2022
351 Charlie Bunger Historic Recognition - Surfing 2022
352 Linda Cohn Journalism & Media 2022
353 John Daly Olympics 2022
354 Chris Fallica Journalism & Media 2022
355 Keri Farley Handball, Basketball 2022
356 Olivia Galati Softball 2022
357 Kevin Harrington Coaches 2022
358 Myles Jones Lacrosse 2022
359 Billy Koch Baseball 2022
360 Paul Longo Coaches 2022
361 Ralph Macchio Special Recognition - Sporting Culture 2022
362 Tina Moon Coaches 2022
363 Joe Pellicane Coaches 2022
364 A.J. Preller Baseball 2022
365 Allison Pfeffer Coaches 2022
366 John Pfeffer Coaches 2022
367 Matt Senk Coaches 2022
368 Kia Wright Basketball 2022
369 Darrel Young Football 2022
370 Steve Zimmer Officials 2022
371 Carl Adams Coaches, Wrestling 2023
372 Angel Athenas Special Olympics 2023
373 Mike Bowler Coaches, Lacrosse 2023
374 Ralph Sammy Bunn Baseball, Historic Recognition 2023
375 Joe Donnelly Baseball, Journalism & Media 2023
376 Carlton "Hub" Edwards Baseball, Historic Recognition 2023
377 Dawn Ellerbe Athletic Director, Olympics 2023
378 Ryan Flanagan Coaches, Lacrosse 2023
379 Ross Gload Baseball 2023
380 Joe Grady Officials 2023
381 Chris Higgins Hockey 2023
382 Pat Kirwan Coaches 2023
383 Mike Komisarek Hockey 2023
384 Pat Lafontaine Hockey 2023
385 Chris La Morte Gymnastics 2023
386 Ed McGuire Football 2023
387 Tim Melia Soccer 2023
388 Tom Migliozzi Baseball, Coaches 2023
389 Ralph Napolitano Coaches, Wrestling 2023
390 Christopher Pendergast Special Recognition 2023
391 Constantine Ricci Baseball, Historic Recognition 2023
392 Jen Sabatelle Journalism & Media 2023
393 John Scully Football 2023
394 Julia Smit Olympics, Swimming & Diving 2023
395 Justin Turri Coaches, Lacrosse 2023
396 Missy Wassell Foote Coaches, Lacrosse 2023

References

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  1. ^ a b c Haag, James (2008-12-01). "Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame opens its doors". 27 East. Retrieved 2019-01-19.
  2. ^ a b c d "About Suffolk County Sports Hall of Fame". Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame. Retrieved 2018-11-23.
  3. ^ "Exhibits". Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame. Retrieved 2018-11-24.
  4. ^ "Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame Opens Exhibit At Huntington Town Hall". Long Island Press. 2019-02-13. Retrieved 2019-02-13.
  5. ^ "Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame Inductees". Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame. Retrieved 2018-11-23.
  6. ^ "New Logo for Suffolk Hall of Fame". Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame. 2018-02-12. Retrieved 2018-11-24.
  7. ^ Del Priore, Jerry (2019-08-01). "Long Island Ducks To Celebrate 20 years of Baseball". Brooklyn Sports World.
  8. ^ "Suffolk County Sports Hall of Fame names executive director". Long Island Business News. 2017-09-22. Retrieved 2019-01-25.
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