Stars Come Out For Sports Hall of Fame Grand Opening

By  //  February 11, 2013

SPORTS & PHILANTHROPY

(ABOVE VIDEO: Part 1 of a four-part series of Danny Treanor’s interviews with the area’s sports royalty during the opening of the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame.)

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BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – The Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame was officially opened as it introduced the 2013 class and installed the 2012 class at Mavericks Sports Grill & Bar on Merritt Island, Florida.

The unique event earmarked proceeds going to the Health First Foundation and featured a who’s-who of Brevard’s greatest athletes and sports personalities of all time. The chefs at Mavericks featured a sumptuous all-you-can-eat extravaganza, and the evening also featured a silent auction with a wide variety of unique goods and services – as well as a special live auction that included fun and valuable collectable sports memorabilia.

GRAND STYLE

DREW RECTOR of Health First cuts the ribbon to open the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame. Looking on are, left to right, Maverick Multimedia’s Giles Malone and Hall of Famers Dick Blake, Robin Keener, Barbara Caywood and Bill Sargent. (Joseph Grutta image)

The hall opened in grand style Feb.  7 with a special ribbon cutting event and gathering of Hall of Famers at Maverick’s Sports Grill on Merritt Island and an auction and benefit event for the Health First Foundation.

Among the Brevard County sports royalty in attendance at the opening of the Space Coast Hall of Fame was, left to right – Michael Spinneweber, Dick Blake and Ernie Rosseau. (Joseph Grutta image)

Members being inducted into the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame for 2013 mingled with members of the Class of 2012 at the event in an effort to raise money for the foundation, which provides humanitarian and charitable efforts in the community.

The evening featured a silent auction with a wide variety of unique goods and services, as well as a special live auction including fun and valuable collectable sports memorabilia.

For some of the 2013 Hall of Fame Class, it was the first time they have actually met other inductees or been formally recognized for their athletic accomplishments.

Brian Johnson of Cocoa Beach, 22, said he never dreamed that he would be inducted to the Hall of Fame.

Former Florida Gator and now Boston Red Sox pitcher Brian Johnson, right, with Maverick Multimedia Managing Editor Ed Pierce.

“It’s a real honor that my whole family can take pride in,” Johnson said. “I was in Mississippi when I found out through a text that I was going to be inducted. You never think that someday your picture will hang on a wall with other sports greats like these people.”

Johnson starred in baseball at Cocoa Beach Jr./Sr. High School, then enjoyed a career as a two-way players for the University of Florida, where he became one of the top pitchers and batters in college baseball.

Last year he was drafted in the first round by the Boston Red Sox and reports to spring training soon.

Distinct Honor

Brevard County coaching legends Gregg Hostetler, left, and Laura Dixon enjoy the festivities during the opening of the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame.

This is the fourth Hall of Fame Gregg Hostetler will be enshrined in, but he said he never gets tired of being honored for doing what he loved to do – coaching basketball.

Hostetler, who led Astronaut High School’s girls basketball team to numerous state titles, said he is humbled to be chosen or induction in the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame.

“It’s a distinct honor to be included with the likes of Chris Collinsworth, Dick Blake and Laura Dixon,” he said. “I’m certainly happy to be here tonight.”

The 2013 Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame Gala will be May 10 at the Cocoa Beach Country Club. For information about the 2013 induction gala call 321-615-8111 or e-mail maverickmultimedia@gmail.com

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE SPACE COAST SPORTS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES