Category Archives: Public News

STILLWATER, Okla. – Seven individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the sport of wrestling will be inducted into the Oklahoma Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, it was announced Friday.

Dale Estep, Tony Macias, Greg Newell, Darren Peaster and Nick Williams were chosen for Lifetime Service to Wrestling, while John Henry Ward will receive the Outstanding American award and Larry Tettleton will be presented the Medal of Courage honor.

The Lifetime Service to Wrestling award is awarded annually to coaches, officials and contributors who have given a minimum of 20 years of service to wrestling. The Outstanding American honor is given to former wrestlers who are highly successful and use the disciplines learned in wrestling in their profession and the Medal of Courage is presented to a wrestler or former wrestler who has overcome what appear to be insurmountable obstacles.

The seven new honorees will be inducted during a banquet set for Sunday, Oct. 14 at what was formerly the Jim Thorpe Museum and Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame at 4040 North Lincoln in Oklahoma City. A reception begins at 3 p.m., with dinner at 4 p.m. and the induction ceremony at 5 p.m.

Reservations are $55 per person and can be purchased online at www.ok-nwhof.ticketleap.com or by contacting Howard Seay at [email protected] or (918) 639-8868.

2018 HONOREE BIOS:

Dale Estep was a two-time state champion wrestler at Geary High School and competed collegiately at Adams State for two years before returning to the state to attend Southwestern Oklahoma, where he graduated. He took over as head coach at Noble High School in 1968 and held that post for 22 years, racking up an impressive 223-38 dual record. Estep’s teams had 15 top-10 state tournament finishes and he coached 12 state champions along with 21 All-Staters. In all, he spent 34 years at Noble as a coach, teacher and athletic director. Estep also served a long stint as a state coordinator for the International Wrestling Exchange program that brought teams from Japan, New Zealand, Germany and Poland to Oklahoma.

Tony Macias was a four-time state qualifier at long-time powerhouse Perry High School in the late 1950s, finishing with a 62-8-1 career record and winning one state championship before going to Oklahoma. He earned All-America honors as a sophomore and helped lead the Sooners to the 1960 national title, but injuries cut short his career. Macias began a long coaching career while still attending OU, starting the Noble High School program in 1960 before going on to coach at Guthrie High School and Southeast High School He led Southeast to one state championship and two state runner-up finishes, then left in 1972 to coach at Southwest Oregon Community College. Macias spent one year there, leading SWOCC to their first-ever winning season and a 14th-place national finish before returning to Perry to open a restaurant that he ran for the next 44 years before his death in 2017. Macias helped with the Perry youth wrestling program for decades, including taking several teams to Mexico City to compete.

Greg Newell grew up in Kansas and graduated college from Bethany College in the state before starting a 25-year coaching career. He got his coaching start in Larned, Kansas and was there for seven years, then moved to Durant, Oklahoma in 1980. Newell started the school’s physical education program in 1982 and worked as a wrestling official for four years before returning to coaching in 1986 when he began both the junior high and high school wrestling programs at Durant. He went on to coach in Durant for 18 years before his retirement, building a competitive program that resulted in dozens of former wrestlers going on to become coaches themselves. Newell still works closely with Durant wrestling, including serving as radio broadcaster for the team.

Darren Peaster enjoyed a productive career on the mat, finishing as a three-time state placer at Claremore High School in addition to earning All-America honors at both Northeastern Oklahoma A&M and Central Oklahoma. Peaster graduated from UCO in 1987 and spent three years as an assistant coach with the Bronchos before going into the high school ranks. He was an assistant for two years at Ponca City and four at Choctaw, helping the Yellowjackets capture a pair of dual state titles and two state tournament championships. He took over as Putnam City High School’s head coach in 1996 and was there two years before going to Catoosa High School, where he spent 11 years. Peaster guided Catoosa to two dual state crowns and a couple of state tournament championships in earning Coach of the Year honors twice and in 2007 he was a finalist for the National High School Coach of the Year award. Peaster racked up 254 career wins, coaching one four-time state champion and several three-time winners before retiring from coaching in 2013, though he still serves as director of student services at Catoosa.

Nick Williams was a three-time state placer in high school, winning a state title as a senior, and then was a three-year letterman at Oklahoma State in the mid-1990s before embarking on a lengthy coaching career that continues today. He spent one year at Mangum and six at Madill before taking over the Altus High School program in 2004. Williams’ teams have won 14 district titles and five regional championships and he’s had seven top-four state tournament teams, including a pair of runners-up. He has coached 20 state champions, 19 All-State participants and 11 high school All-Americans in compiling a 223-78 dual record. Williams has served as vice president of the Oklahoma Wrestling Coaches Association in addition to coaching in the All-State dual.

John Henry Ward was a 1965 state champion for Tulsa Rogers High School and then was a rare two-sport collegiate All-American at Oklahoma State. He was a two-time Big Eight champion and placed third in the national tournament in 1969 for the Cowboys, then earned All-America honors on the gridiron that fall at defensive tackle. Ward was a first-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings in 1970 and played on two Super Bowl teams during a six-year career in the NFL. Ward spent much of his adult life dedicated to public service, including a 13-year stint as Executive Director of the Association of County Commissioners of Oklahoma. He also served 10 years as Executive Vice President of the Poultry Federation of Arkansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. Ward, a member of both the OSU Athletics Hall of Fame and the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame, died in 2012 after a battle with cancer.

Larry Tettleton was born with limited physical abilities on his right side and saw very limited action on the mat, but his contributions to the sport are substantial.   Larry’s disability hasn’t affected his positive attitude, his enthusiasm for teaching and coaching or his motivational skills in getting the best out of those he comes in contact with. Tettleton got involved in wrestling as a junior high manager and continued in that role throughout high school and college, where he helped Central Oklahoma to the 1992 NCAA Division II national championship. Larry became an assistant coach at Edmond North High School in 1994 and in 12 years during three stints as an assistant coach there helped the Huskies to an 86-41-2 dual record and the 2013 state championship. He has also spent 11 years as head junior high coach in Edmond, having compiled an impressive 130-23 dual record with eight conference championships, two state titles and one Oklahoma Junior High Coach of the Year award. Tettleton has coached 15 individual state champions, nine high school All-Americans – including two champions – and two collegiate national champions. Larry decided to expand his involvement with wrestling in 2012 when he became an official. He’s quickly became one of the best in working local, regional and national events and in 2016 was selected Oklahoma USA Official of the Year. Tettleton was named recipient of the “Champion of Character” award by the Edmond City Council in 2013.

 

America’s shrine to the sport of wrestling, the National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum was founded as a nonprofit organization in 1976 to honor the sport of wrestling, preserve its history, recognize extraordinary individual achievements, and inspire future generations. The National Wrestling Hall of Fame has museums in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and Waterloo, Iowa. The Stillwater, Oklahoma, location reopened in June 2016 following a $3.8 million renovation and now features interactive exhibits and electronic kiosks, as well as the opportunity to watch NCAA Championship matches from the 1930s to present day. It also has the John T. Vaughan Hall of Honors where the greatest names in wrestling are recognized, including iconic granite plaques presented to Distinguished Members since the Hall of Fame opened in 1976. The museum has the largest collection of wrestling artifacts and memorabilia in the world, including the most collegiate and Olympic wrestling uniforms. Wrestling truly is for everyone and the diversity and accessibility of the sport continues to be highlighted through exhibits featuring females, African Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans, and Latino Americans. There is also a library featuring historical documents, including NCAA guides and results, as well as books on the sport.

For more information about the Hall of Fame, please visit www.NWHOF.or

 

 

 

 

It’s ISHA Silent Auction Time

Start thinking of items that you can donate to the ISHA Founder’s Fund Silent Auction to be held in conjunction with the ISHA Conference hosted by the 49ers Museum on September 26-28.

We are asking for all items to have a minimum $50 retail value.  If you have any questions or something that could be added to a package, please email Dana Hart at [email protected]

ISHA 2018 Silent Auction Form

The Chicago Cubs wanted to showcase their history and give their visitors some interactive surprises when visiting their offices at Wrigley Field.  The project team at Xibitz, Inc. worked with the architects/designers to collaborate and fabricate an interactive graphic wall, reminiscent of the “train schedule” moving signs in Penn Station, NYC and the 30th Street Station in Philadelphia.   In addition, Xibitz created showcases, video arrays and other environmental graphics for a totally engaging environment that makes any visit to the Cubs Front Office a memorable experience.

Xibitz, Inc. is a custom fabrication company based in Grand Rapids, MI, providing design support, engineering of designs, fabrication, installation and complete turn-key project management.  Contact Susan Fisher with any questions or requests:

[email protected]
Mobile: 310 897 7265
www.xibitz.com

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – A six-man list of racing pioneers, legends and modern-day champions joined “The First Lady of Motorsports” in a colorful and accomplished 2019 Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (MSHFA) inductee class announced at Daytona International Speedway (DIS).The Class of 2019 was unveiled in a press conference at DIS – site of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series’ Coke Zero Sugar 400 on Saturday night – by Motorsports Hall of Fame of America President Ron Watson and Daytona International Speedway President Chip Wile.

The seven MSHFA Class of 2019 honorees, the top vote-earners from an impressive list of 43 nominees from all walks of motorsports, include automotive and racing pioneer Augie Duesenberg (Historic), three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Dario Franchitti (Open Wheel), engineering genius Phil Remington (Sports Cars), motorcycle road racing World Champion Kevin Schwantz (Motorcycles), championship-winning driver/owner Don Schumacher (Drag Racing) and Tony Stewart (Stock Cars) and popular motorsports ambassador and iconic race queen Linda Vaughn (At Large).

“Deserving and dynamic are two words that come to mind when I think of the accomplished men and woman that comprise the Class of 2019,” Watson said. “This group has won hundreds of races and dozens of championships in competition and the hearts and adoration of millions of race fans both at and away from the track.”

The Class of 2019 will be enshrined into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in its 31st annual induction ceremony next March, the traditional black-tie gala that will be the crowning event of a two-day, multifunction MSHFA induction celebration on March 11-12 in Daytona Beach.

After traditionally holding its annual induction in the summer for decades, the MSHFA returns to the spring date in 2019 for the second consecutive year. The date shift puts the MSHFA induction amid a mass of March motorsports and automotive activity in Florida. The IndyCar Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, the NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville, the IMSA 12 Hours of Sebring, plus the AMA Daytona SuperCross, Flat Track TT and DAYTONA 200, as well as Bike Week in Daytona Beach, all take place in a 10-day period that now includes the MSHFA induction.

“Moving to March places our annual induction ceremony right in the middle of one of the most diverse and busy times for motorsports and automotive events all year in Florida,” Watson said. “The initial date switch earlier this year was very well-received, and we look forward to building on the success.”

With the host venue expected to be finalized in the coming weeks, the 2019 MSHFA Induction Ceremony will be preceded on March 11 by the traditional “Heroes of Horsepower” reception and strolling dinner at the MSHFA Museum, located in the Daytona International Speedway Ticket and Tours facility.

For more information, visit the MSHFA at www.mshf.com or call 386.681.6843.

The MSHFA Class of 2019:

Augie Duesenberg (Historic) – August Samuel Duesenberg, with inductee brother Frederick Duesenberg (MSHFA Class of 1997), built some of the greatest racing cars of their generation. With Fred as the designer and Augie handling the manufacturing, they built some of the last “hand-made” race cars that dominated the Indianapolis 500 in the mid-1920s. Augie also served as crew chief for the brothers’ Duesenberg racing team. As engine builders for cars, boats and aircraft, their motors appeared in many race-winning vehicles including those driven by three Indianapolis 500 champions (1924, ’25, ’27).

Dario Franchitti (Open Wheel) – From 2007-2012, Dario Franchitti was as good as any driver in open wheel racing history, winning four championships and three Indianapolis 500s – 2007, 2010 and 2012 – in six seasons, which includes the year he took off (2008) to try his hand at NASCAR. Born in Scotland, Franchitti came to the U.S. in 1997 and the following year he won three races and a season-best five poles with Team Green. He began his string of Indy 500 victories and championships in his final year with Andretti Autosport (2007) and continued the run to two more Brickyard victories with Chip Ganassi (MSHFA Class of 2016).

Phil Remington (Sports Cars) – Wherever Phil Remington went, wins and championships followed. The WWII flight engineer was one of the most successful chief engineers in sports car racing history. As chief engineer at Shelby-American, they captured the 1965 World Manufacturers Championship and built the Ford GTs that became in 1966 and 1967 the first American cars to win Le Mans. Next, “Rem” helped Holman and Moody win the 1968 Daytona 500. Later that year he joined Dan Gurney’s All American Racers, where over the next 40-plus years he was central to the team’s success in everything from the Indianapolis 500 to sports car racing.

Don Schumacher (Drag Racing) – Don Schumacher’s first career in drag racing was impressive but his second has made him one of the all-time greats. As a Funny Car pilot, “The Shoe” won the 1972 Coca-Cola Cavalcade of Stars, 1973 AHRA World Championship, five NHRA national events and about 70 percent of his 560 match races. He retired from driving to devote more time to his business and family. Since his return more than a decade later, Don Schumacher Racing has amassed 16 NHRA world championships through 2017, including son Tony’s eight titles, and more than 300 wins. DSR was the first team to win Top Fuel and Funny Car titles in the same year, which it has done four times.

Kevin Schwantz (Motorcycles) – Kevin Schwantz started riding at four, became a top motocross rider in his teens, then switched to road racing, where he became a Daytona 200 winner, 500cc World Champion and 25-time victor on the international Grand Prix circuit. He finished second to Eddie Lawson (MSHFA Class of 2002) in the 1986 Daytona 200, and the following year began his epic rivalry with Wayne Rainey (MSHFA Class of 2008). Rainey took the 1987 title, but runner-up Schwantz won five of the six last races, then followed with a victory in the 1988 Daytona 200. His world championship came in 1993 and in 125 GP starts, Schwantz prevailed 25 times, the second American all-time behind Lawson. The FIM later retired his No. 34.

Tony Stewart (Stock Cars) – Where there’s Smoke, there are victories and championships for Tony Stewart, both as a driver and more recently as a team owner. Few modern drivers come close to his versatility, speed and quiet assistance to racers in need. The only person to win championships in IndyCar (1997) and NASCAR (2002, 2005, 2011), Stewart also won the 1994 USAC National Midget Series, 1995 USAC Triple Crown and 2006 IROC titles. His 2011 Cup crown was the first by an owner-driver since Motorsports Hall of Fame of America Inductee Alan Kulwicki (MSHFA Class of 2010). As an owner, he has won an additional Monster Energy Series championship with Kevin Harvick (2014), the 2017 Daytona 500 with Kurt Busch, and his four-car team has been a dominant force so far in the 2018 Monster Energy Series.

Linda Vaughn (At Large) – The “First Lady of Motorsports” transformed the role of beauty queen into an enduring ambassadorship. It’s hard to imagine anyone more beloved by fans and racers alike in the history of the sport. The Dalton, Georgia native carved her own niche after winning the Miss Atlanta Raceway title in 1961 and Miss Pure Firebird immediately thereafter. Best known for her long association with Hurst Industries, where she became “Miss Hurst Golden Shifter” after besting 200 contestants for the title. Vaughn appeared in the motorsports-oriented films Gumball Rally (1976), Burnout (1979) and Stroker Ace (1983). Already recognized by the MSHFA, she was presented with the Bob Russo Heritage Award in 2004. Her eponymous autobiography was published in 2016.

About the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America: The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (MSHFA) held its first induction ceremony in 1989. The facility was headquartered in Novi, Michigan from 1989-2015 and relocated to Daytona Beach, Florida in 2016. The MSHFA is the only hall of fame that encompasses the full spectrum of American motorsports: cars, motorcycles, off-road, powerboats and airplanes. The overriding mission of the MSHFA is to celebrate and instill the American core values of leadership, creativity, originality, teamwork and spirit of competition embodied in motorsports. The MSHFA is operated by the nonprofit Motorsports Museum and Hall of Fame of America Foundation Inc. Learn more at www.MSHF.com or call 386.681.6843. The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America is on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MotorsportsHOF/ and Instagram and Twitter at @MotorsportsHOF.

NEW EXHIBIT NOW OPEN THROUGH 2018

Seventy years ago, stock car racers took to the Daytona Beach-Road Course to make a historic run: the first race of NASCAR’s inaugural season. That year, 1948, proved to be a defining one for the sport, foreshadowing both the accomplishments and the adversity the organization would face in the decades to come.

In celebration of this landmark anniversary, the NASCAR Hall of Fame’s temporary exhibit “1948: Proving Grounds” delves deeper than ever before into this inaugural season’s significance to American and motorsports history. Return to a time of dirt tracks and prewar coupes, when drivers, track operators, and those who led NASCAR were redefining motorsports creating what would become America’s longest-running auto racing sanctioning body.

Rare artifacts (some of the Hall of Fame’s oldest) are featured alongside cars from the era. Throughout the exhibit, straight-from-the-track stories of daring and grit transport guests to the 1940s, inviting them to experience firsthand the thrill of the race.

“1948: Proving Grounds” exhibit included with admission to the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

 

This year’s Hall of Fame inductees highlight Canadian horse racing success stories from across the country and the international racing world.

The Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame Class of 2018 includes:

  • Ontario-born Thoroughbred breeder, John G. Sikura, operator of one of the most successful breeding farms in Kentucky;
  • Bill Andrew, a breeder with ties to Alberta and PEI, who continues to generously give back to the racing industry.
  • Dan Loiselle, the track announcer known for his iconic calls of Canadian Triple Crown races
  • Ontario based photographer Dave Landry whose work has been recognized in Canada and internationally
  • Ontario based, Sovereign Award winning trainer Reade Baker, who has also been a jockey’s agent, operated an international bloodstock service and been a successful breeder.
  • The late Jim Doherty, a gentlemanly trainer-driver from New Brunswick with a career spanning six-decades, much of which took place on US tracks
  • Blissfull Hall, Quebec-owned winner of North America’s Pacing Triple Crown.
  • Chancey Lady, Ontario-sired, BC owned pacing mare who earned over $2-million
  • Two horses bred by Adena Springs –Breeder’s Cup winner Judy the Beauty and Queen’s Plate winner Shaman Ghost.

The Gala event will feature a cocktail reception, a fantastic line up of silent and live auction items, and a four course gourmet dinner.

Homage will also be paid to 2018 Legend honourees, Frank McMahon and Hector Clouthier, Sr.

McMahon, a Queen’s Plate and Kentucky Derby winning owner opened up the Northwest Canadian wilderness for oil production and owned the first major thoroughbred racing stable in western Canada. Standardbred horseman Hector Clouthier Sr. was instrumental in forming horsemen’s groups in Ontario, enabling many to make a career in the sport.

Join us Wednesday, August 8th at the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame Induction Gala, as we celebrate the class of 2018 and their spectacular contributions to the sport of horse racing.

Held at the Mississauga Convention Centre, co-hosting duties will be shared by Jim Bannon, CHRHF member and Woodbine Entertainment Group Thoroughbred Racing Analyst along with Greg Blanchard, racing commentator and Raceway Manager at the Raceway at Western Fair.

The reception and silent auction will commence at 5:30 p.m., followed by a four course dinner, live auction and induction ceremonies at 6:30 p.m.  Tickets are $175 per person, or $1,700 for a table sponsorship which includes 8 tickets, a $300.00 donation to the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame and a total of $700 charitable receipts.

We will have an impressive list of live and silent auction items including stallion breedings, sporting event tickets, racing related memorabilia and other surprises. Auction donations are welcomed.  All proceeds from the auction will go toward helping the Hall of Fame recognize the achievements of the best in Canadian horse racing and the history of the sport.

Opportunities to advertise in the souvenir induction program and event sponsorship packages are also available

Tickets may be purchased by visiting the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame Online Store at http://shop.horseracinghalloffame.com/ or by contacting Linda Rainey 416-417-9404 or [email protected].

Frisco, Texas – (May 31, 2018) – The National Soccer Hall of Fame introduced its 2018 class today with a series of surprise announcements in five different cities across the country. The newest members of the National Soccer Hall of Fame include Cindy Parlow Cone (veteran), Dr. Bob Contiguglia (builder), Brad Friedel (player), Don Garber (builder, elected in 2016 but deferred enshrinement to 2018) and Tiffeny Milbrett (player).

New members of the 2018 class were informed of their election by current Hall of Famers who either played, worked with or currently work with the Inductees. In Foxborough, Mass., Friedel’s former U.S. MNT teammate Tab Ramos (Class of ’05) surprised the Revolution head coach at the conclusion of a training session, while in Raleigh, N.C., UNC head coach Anson Dorrance (Class of ‘08) informed Parlow Cone during a North Carolina FC Youth staff meeting. During a National Soccer Hall of Fame technology meeting in Manassas, Va., former U.S. Soccer Secretary General Hank Steinbrecher (Class of ’05) informed Dr. Contiguglia of his honor. To close out Induction Announcement Day, in Portland, Ore., Brandi Chastain (Class of ’16) surprised former U.S. WNT teammate Milbrett during a gathering with friends and family. The day kicked off in Manhattan with MLS Senior Vice President of Competition and Player Relations Jeff Agoos (Class of ’09) surprising Garber during a MLS staff meeting with a commemorative scarf and coin that each of the recipients received.
Click HERE to download b-roll and sound of each of the surprise announcements.

The National Soccer Hall of Fame voting committee determined the 2018 class from a list of 32 finalists on the Hall of Fame player ballots, nine finalists on the Hall of Fame veteran ballots and seven finalists on the Hall of Fame builder category.

The Class of 2018 will be enshrined during a induction ceremony held Oct. 20 at the brand-new National Soccer Hall of Fame located at Toyota Stadium in Frisco. Click here for more information about the National Hall of Fame Induction Weekend presented by Budweiser.

National Soccer Hall of Fame Class of 2018

Cindy Parlow Cone, Veteran

  • Midfielder – U.S. Women’s National Team (1995-2006), University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill (1995-98), Atlanta Beat (2001-03)
  • Head Coach – Portland Thorns FC  (2012-13)
  • Currently – North Carolina FC’s Durham-Chapel Hill Girls Director

Cone has a decorated history with the U.S. Women’s National Team. She retired as the squad’s 5th all-time leading scorer during an era in which she helped the U.S. women win the World Cup in 1999 and third place in 2003. Her 158 caps and 75 goals also earned her two Olympic gold medals and a silver medal and, to this day, she remains the youngest soccer player (male or female) to win an Olympic gold medal and a World Cup. Prior to her international career, Cone was a two-time NCAA Player of the Year and two-time NCAA National Champion at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. Cone continued her Tar Heel career as an assistant coach where she helped guide the team to four NCAA Championships. She then went on to win the inaugural NWSL Championship (2013) as the head coach of the Portland Thorns. She also served on the coaching staff for the U.S. U-14 & U-15 Girls’ National Teams (2010-2013).

Click HERE for b-roll and sound of Anson Dorrance informing Cindy Parlow Cone of her election into the Hall of Fame.  UNC assistant women’s soccer coach Bill Palladino, Cindy’s former USWNT teammate Carla Overbeck as well as her husband, John, and son, Steve, were also in attendance for the announcement.

Dr. Bob Contiguglia, Builder

  • Former President, U.S. Soccer (1998-2006)
  • Former President, U.S. Youth Soccer (1990-1996)
  • Currently – Enjoying retirement and coaching a U-12 soccer team

Dr. Bob Contiguglia served as President of U.S. Soccer from August, 1998 until March, 2006. U.S. Soccer reached several important milestones during his tenure, including a U.S. Women’s National Team victory in the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup and an Olympic Gold Medal won by the U.S. Women’s National Team at the 2004 Athens Olympics. The Great Neck, NY native and Denver, CO resident also served as the President of U.S. Youth Soccer from 1990-96.

Click HERE for b-roll and sound of Hank Steinbrecher informing Dr. Bob Contiguglia of his election into the Hall of Fame.

Brad Friedel, Player

  • Goalkeeper – U.S. Men’s National Team (1992-2005), UCLA (1990-92), Newcastle United (1994), Brondby (1995), Galatasaray (1995-96), Columbus Crew (1996-97), Liverpool (1997-2000), Blackburn Rovers (2000-08), Aston Villa (2008-11), Tottenham Hotspur (2011-15),
  • Head Coach – U.S. U-19 MNT (2016-17), New England Revolution (2017-present)

Brad Friedel had a decorated club career that spanned more than 20 professional seasons, including 17 in the English Premier League and 13 years with the United States Men’s National Team. Between 1997 and 2015, Friedel made 450 league appearances in England’s top flight with four clubs: Liverpool (1997-2000), Blackburn Rovers (2001-08), Aston Villa (2008-11), and Tottenham Hotspur (2011-15). As a U.S. international, Friedel collected 82 international caps and was a member of three United States World Cup squads in 1994, 1998 and 2002. The Lakewood, OH native represented the United States at two Olympic Games in 1992 and 2000. Friedel played collegiately at UCLA where he earned the Hermann Trophy in 1992 which is awarded to college soccer’s best player. Friedel was elected into the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.

Click HERE for b-roll and sound of former USMNT teammate Tab Ramos informing Brad Friedel of his election into the Hall of Fame.

Don Garber, Builder

  • MLS Commissioner (1999-present)

Don Garber was named Commissioner of Major League Soccer in 1999 after 16 years at the National Football League where he served in a variety of senior leadership positions. During his tenure, MLS has expanded from 10 to 26 clubs, added 22 new owners and secured long-term broadcast agreements with ESPN, FOX and Univision along with major broadcasters in Canada, Europe, Asia and South America.  Garber has also led efforts to develop 19 soccer stadiums in the United States and Canada, and five more soccer venues will open in the next few years.  In addition, Garber serves as CEO of Soccer United Marketing, the commercial arm of MLS and multiple soccer properties, including U.S. Soccer. In 2011, the Los Angeles Times named Garber one of the nation’s top sports commissioners. He has been named among the top 50 most influential people in sports business by the Sports BusinessJournal every year since 2005. The Queens, NY native was originally elected into the Hall of Fame in 2016 but opted to defer his enshrinement until 2018.

Click HERE for b-roll and sound with Don Garber and Hall of Famer Jeff Agoos.

Tiffeny Milbrett, Player

  • Forward – U.S. Women’s National Team (1991-2006), University of Portland (1990-94), Shiroki FC Serena (1995-97), New York Power (2001-03), Sunnana SK (2005), Vancouver Whitecaps (2006-08), Linkopings FC (2006-07), FC Gold Pride (2009-10), Bay Area Breeze (2011)
  • Currently – Colorado Storm Director of Coaching U-16 & U-17 Girls and ECNL

While playing for the U.S. Women’s National Team, Tiffeny Milbrett earned a gold medal at the 1996 Olympic Games, a silver medal in the 2000 Olympic Games and was a member of the squad that won the 1999 Women’s World Cup. She earned 206 caps, scored 100 goals and played in three World Cups. When not playing for her country Milbrett played professionally for clubs in Japan, USA, Sweden and Canada from 1995-2010. The Portland, OR native and Denver, CO resident is the University of Portland’s second-leading goal scorer (103) and is fourth all-time in assists (40).

Click HERE for b-roll and sound of Brandi Chastain informing Tiffeny Milbrett of her election into the Hall of Fame.

About the National Soccer Hall of Fame

The National Soccer Hall of Fame was originally founded in 1950 by the Philadelphia Old-Timers Association to recognize individuals for their outstanding contributions to American soccer. In 1979, the National Soccer Museum, as a physical entity, was established in Oneonta, NY. It was officially recognized as the National Soccer Hall of Fame by the U.S. Soccer Federation in 1983.

In June of 1999, the National Soccer Hall of Fame opened a 30,000 square-foot museum in Oneonta where it housed a collection of more than 80,000 items and artifacts such as the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup trophy, the oldest soccer ball made in the U.S. and the 1994 FIFA World Cup U.S. archive. The facility closed in February of 2010.

In 2013 FC Dallas owners Clark and Dan Hunt launched a campaign to bring the Hall of Fame to Frisco where it is currently under construction in the south end of Toyota Stadium. Their late father, Lamar Hunt, was inducted in the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1982. In 1999, he received the Hall’s highest honor, the Medal of Honor. He remains one of only three individuals to have won the award.

The National Soccer Hall of Fame will open October 20, 2018 with the Hall of Fame Weekend presented by Budweiser.

TORONTO (June 1, 2018) –  Mark Spector, President of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association, and Chuck Kaiton, President of the NHL Broadcasters’ Association, announced today that Larry Brooks will receive the Elmer Ferguson Award for excellence in hockey journalism, and Joe Bowen will receive the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award for outstanding contributions as a hockey broadcaster.

Larry Brooks began his hockey writing career as a beat reporter at the New York Post, covering the New York Islanders and New York Rangers in the 1970s.  His insight caught the attention of the New Jersey Devils, who hired the rising star to serve as the team’s vice president of communications and radio color commentator.  After ten years with the Devils, Brooks rejoined the New York Post and began his current streak of 22 straight seasons covering the Rangers.  Since 1995 Brooks has also been the Post’s national NHL columnist.

“Over the years Larry Brooks became the most important read on one of the NHL’s most important beats, the New York Rangers,” said Spector.  “Beyond his edgy, colorful and on-point coverage of the Rangers, Brooks’ weekly Slap Shots column has become destination copy for readers across the hockey world.”

Joe Bowen began his broadcasting career calling hockey games for his hometown Sudbury Wolves. After a short stint with the American Hockey League’s Nova Scotia Voyageurs, Bowen began a 36-year run as the voice of the Toronto Maple Leafs.  Currently teamed with Jim Ralph on TSN 1050 and Sportsnet The Fan 590, Bowen has described the action for more than 3,000 games to some of the world’s most dedicated hockey fans.  As passionate in the community as he is on the airwaves, Bowen has helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for Leukemia research, and was named an ambassador for the city of Sudbury in 2002.  Bowen also received the George Gross Award as Sports Media Canada’s broadcaster of the year in 2013.

“Joe Bowen’s contagious enthusiasm in the booth has entertained Toronto Maple Leafs fans for decades,” said Kaiton. “The voice of the Toronto Maple Leafs is an extremely worthy recipient of the 2018 Foster Hewitt Memorial Award.”

Brooks and Bowen will receive their awards at the “Hockey Hall of Fame NHL Media Awards Luncheon” in Toronto on Monday, November 12, 2018, and their award plaques will be displayed in the Esso Great Hall at the Hockey Hall of Fame alongside past award recipients.

Recipients of these awards, as selected by their respective associations, are recognized by the Hockey Hall of Fame as “Media Honourees” ─ a separate distinction from individuals inducted as “Honoured Members” who are elected by the Hockey Hall of Fame Selection Committee.

The 2018 Hockey Hall of Fame Induction Weekend begins on Friday, November 9, 2018, culminating with the Induction Celebration on Monday, November 12, 2018.  This year’s inductees will be announced on Tuesday, June 26, 2018.

Named in honour of the late Montreal newspaper reporter, the Elmer Ferguson Memorial Award was first presented in 1984 by the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association in recognition of distinguished members of the hockey writing profession whose words have brought honour to journalism and to the game of hockey.

Named in honour of the late “Voice of Hockey” in Canada, the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award was first presented in 1984 by the NHL Broadcasters’ Association in recognition of members of the radio and television industry who have made outstanding contributions to their profession and to the game of hockey.

For more information:

Mark Spector

Professional Hockey Writers’ Association

[email protected]

Chuck Kaiton

NHL Broadcasters’ Association

[email protected]