McCoy, Horner, Woodson and Vollstedt honored at full house
PHOENIX, Ariz.- (April 16,2009) – The Arizona Sports Hall of Fame celebrated its 39th induction ceremony at The Phoenician Resort and Spa with a crowd of over 300 people. This years honorees were Phoenix Suns broadcaster Al McCoy, former Arizona State University Golf Coach Linda Vollstedt, former Arizona State University and Major League Baseball player Bob Horner and former Arizona State University and National Football League player Darren Woodson.
Jeff Munn was the master of ceremonies that included each inductee being introduced by a video and formally introduced by a friend. McCoy received the biggest ovation but favorite son, Danny White was a big hit when he introduced Darren Woodson.
“This group of Hall of Famers is truly special,” said Phoenix Regional Sports Commission President Jon Schmieder. “Our goal is to recognize the contributions in sport that are truly reflective of the state of Arizona. This year’s honorees represent our state’s sports history and will truly enhance the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame.”
The Arizona Sports Hall of Fame will be an annual event and a primary focus of the Phoenix Regional Sports Commission’s mission to “Enrich Our Community Through Sports.” A portion of the proceeds raised through the Hall of Fame ceremony will be used to promote and support sports programs in Maricopa County.
“Being inducted not only honors me, it is honoring my family and all the coaches who gave me the strength and wisdom to move on to the next level” said honoree Darren Woodson. “It provides kids hope, when they see a dirty boy like me from the west side succeed. It gives them something to shoot for”.
Past inductees include coaching legends J.F. “Pop” McKale, Frank Kush, Jim Brock and Ed Doherty. Enshrined athletes include Johnny Bulla, Dot Wilkinson, Danny White, Alvan Adams and Curly Culp. Sports visionaries such as Karsten Solheim and Jerry Colangelo also are members of the Hall of Fame.
Originally founded in 1957 by the Phoenix Press Box Association, the Hall of Fame membership will grow to 69 people with the induction of the four new honorees this year. Lewis Tewanima, a 1912 Olympic Silver Medalist in Stockholm, was the first inductee. The Hall of Fame has been dormant since 2002, the last time the Sports Commission and the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce partnered on the recognition event. Work began last year to re-vitalize not only the annual induction ceremony, but the physical Hall of Fame itself, which has been housed at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
About the Phoenix Regional Sports Commission
A 501(c) (3) non-profit corporation, the Phoenix Regional Sports Commission (PRSC) was created in 1988. The mission of the PRSC is to “Enrich Our Community Through Sports” by representing the citizens of the Valley to bring national and international sporting events to the state, assist in the promotion of existing events and teams, and support youth sports programs. To learn more about the Sports Commission, please visit www.phoenixsports.org.
About The Arizona Sports Hall of Fame
The Arizona Sports Hall of Fame was founded in 1957 by the Phoenix Press Box Association. The Association held 36 induction ceremonies before ceasing operations in 1991. In the years that followed, the Phoenix Regional Sports Commission assumed custodianship of the Hall of Fame, including developing a plan in the mid-90s to find the Hall a permanent home. For more information visit the web site at www.phoenixsports.org or call (602) 258-6272.
Contact:
Jon Schmieder
President, Phoenix Regional Sports Commission
602-258-6272
Jon@phoenixsports.org
