PETER K INTRODUCES HALL OF FAMERS
By Space Coast Daily // May 11, 2012
SPACE COAST SPORTS HALL OF FAME
Tickets to the Space Coast Hall of Fame induction dinner may be purchased by calling 321-749-1282, or e-mail MaverickMultimedia@gmail.com.
BREVARD COUNTY • FLORIDA — The inaugural class of the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame was announced today as 26 inductees will be enshrined at the first annual ceremony.
For more than a century, athletes from Brevard have been considered among the finest in America and now their accomplishments will be honored and memorialized with the creation of the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame.
Maverick Multimedia, the parent company of SpaceCoastDaily.com, as well as Space Coast Sports magazine, Space Coast Medicine and Central Florida Medicine magazines, has created the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame, with support from Space Coast Sports Promotions and Bright House Networks.
This inaugural class of inductees will be enshrined on Friday, May 11 at the 2012 Induction Banquet and Annual Sports Awards at the Cocoa Beach County Club.
The first-year class of inductees were selected from nominees in seven categories including professional sports, college sports, high school sports and amateur sports.
Special honorary recognition will also be bestowed upon individuals and groups that have made significant contributions to sports on the Space Coast.
The Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame Banquet and Induction Ceremony will take place at the Cocoa Beach Country Club on Friday, May 11 with a cocktail reception at 6 p.m. with the dinner and ceremony at 7 p.m. Tickets may be purchased for $50 by calling 321-749-1282, or MaverickMultimedia@gmail.com
PROFESSIONAL
• Cris Collinsworth, Football
• Wilber Marshall, Football
• Kelly Slater, Surfing
• Tim Wakefield, Baseball
COLLEGE
• Bob Anderson, Football
• Mitzi Kremer, Swimming
• Kelly Kretschman, Softball
• Reggie Nelson, Football
• Matt Walters, football
PREP
• Dr. Zundra Feagin Aubry, Track
• Leon Bright, Football
• Kayla Hale, Cross Country, Track
• Ashlyn Harris, Soccer
• Clint Hurdle, Baseball
AMATEUR
• Doug Butler, Running
• Bunny Cederlund, Swimming
• Sherri France, Softball
• Vicky Hurst, Golf
• Robin Dolan Keener, Tennis
COACHES
• Mike Gaudy, Prep Basketball
• Chuck Goldfarb, Prep Baseball
• Floyd Horgen, College Golf
• Gerald Odom, Prep Football
• Rick Stottler, College Soccer
SPORTS VISIONARY
• Dr. Anthony Catanese, Florida Tech Football
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
• Bill Sargent, Outdoors Journalist
A special committee selected the inagural Class of 2012 with input from school administrators, athletic directors, coaches and the public.
Organizing & Selection Committee
Serving on the committee are Maverick Multimedia President & CEO Tom Palermo, Vice President Giles Malone, Editor-in-Chief Dr. Jim Palermo, Managing Editor Ed Pierce, award-winning sports columnist Peter Kerasotis, Health First Founder and 40-year resident, Larry Garrison and Space Coast Sports Promotions President Rusty Buchanan.
“This recognition is something that is long overdue here,” Tom Palermo said.
“The list of potential and deserving candidates included athletes and coaches everybody knows – and some that may have been forgotten with the passing of time.”
Venue To Pay Tribute
Kerasotis has been covering sports on the Space Coast for five decades and was selected the country’s best sports columnist in 2011 by the Football Writers Association of America.
“I’ve always been proud of the sports figures our county has produced, and even prouder that I’ve chronicled their achievements and consider many of them close friends,” Kerasotis said.
“I now look forward to being a part of the organizing committee.”
Avid sports fan, Dr. Jim Palermo, said, “I consider myself very fortunate to have had the opportunity to live and work in Brevard County for 28 years, during which time I’ve had the pleasure of watching and following so many superlative athletes ascend through local junior and school sports programs to the college level, and some into the pros.”
READ MORE: Sports HOF Celebrates Area’s Rich History
Pierce said he is humbled to sit on the committee and believes the annual Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame inductions will become a cherished event and tradition for Brevard residents.
“Every day we are inspired and awed by the feats and achievements of athletes from this county,” he said.
“To create a venue to pay tribute to these talented men and women is a small way of thanking them for the enduring memories they have provided for all of us on the playing fields over the decades.”
Record-Breaking Performances
Malone said he’s often wondered why, with so many outstanding athletes calling Brevard County home, that there previously has not been a way to highlight their skills and record-breaking performances in so many different sports. “Athletes from the Space Coast are woven into the fabric of our lives,” said Malone.
“We have grown up with them. We’ve gone to school with them and watched them stand out in sports arenas and stadiums throughout the world. It makes sense that finally there will be a place to acknowledge what they have done and how proud we are of them.”
More details about the Hall of Fame will be forthcoming, Buchanan said.
“We feel this is certainly going to be something very special,” he said. “I am excited to find out who will be nominated and honored.”
The Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame Banquet and Induction Ceremony will take place at the Cocoa Beach Country Club on Friday, May 11 with a cocktail reception at 6 p.m. and dinner and ceremony at 7 p.m.
Tickets may be purchased for $50 by calling 321-749-1282, or e-mail MaverickMultimedia@gmail.com.
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- Kayla Hale 5-Time State Track Champion | spacecoastdaily.com
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- Collinsworth Multiple Emmy, Super Bowl Winner | spacecoastdaily.com
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- Harris Lead Scorps To Consecutive Soccer Titles | spacecoastdaily.com
- Keener Dolan Adapts, Becomes International Tennis Champ | spacecoastdaily.com
- Stottler Leaves Powerful Legacy | spacecoastdaily.com
- Gaudy Among Few To Win Boy, Girls State Hoops Titles | spacecoastdaily.com
- spacecoastdaily.com
- Slater World’s Greatest Surfer of All Time | spacecoastdaily.com
- Feagin Won Seven State Track Titles For Cocoa High | spacecoastdaily.com
- France Among Best Softball Players In America | spacecoastdaily.com
- Hurst Brevard’s Most Dominant Female Golfer Ever | spacecoastdaily.com
- Cederlund Iconic Masters Swimmer, Inspiration To Boomers | spacecoastdaily.com
- Odom Among Florida’s Top All-Time Coaches | spacecoastdaily.com
- Walters Anchored Miami’s 2001 Perfect Season | spacecoastdaily.com
- Horgen Among America’s Most Successful College Golf Coaches | spacecoastdaily.com
- Bright Among Best Prep Football Players In Florida History | spacecoastdaily.com
- Nelson Wins BCS Title, Selected All-American At Florida | spacecoastdaily.com
- Incredibly Talented Hurdle Dominated High School Baseball | spacecoastdaily.com
- Injury Forces Slater Out Of Surfing Event | spacecoastdaily.com
- Inductees Ready To Enter Sports Hall of Fame | spacecoastdaily.com
Congratulations to Kayla Hale and Coach Doug Butler as they are 2 of the most accomplished athletes ever on the Space Coast. Kayla was a 3 time Foot Locker Finalist with numerous State Championships coached by one of the most tenacious Space Coast runners ever in Coach Butler. Congratulations to both of them ! Go Tigers !
Bob Cooke
DistancePreps.com
Congratulations to Coach Butler and Kayla Hale. They have contributed so much to the running community in Brevard County. It is nice to see that non-runners recognize the accomplishments attained in a sport that is not high in profile.
As time goes by, you really ought to think about Bill Jurgens of FIT being a member of the BCSH. He has done so much, for so many, for so long, he really deserves to be looked at when the next class is chosen.
I concur with Hal — Bill Jurgens of FIT would be an outstanding candidate for the 2013 Hall of Fame class.