The Wayne County Sports Hall of Fame is preparing to hold its 2010 Induction Dinner, an evening local fans eagerly anticipate each fall.
This year’s edition of the ceremony will be hosted once again by the Inn at Woodloch Pines.
The event is slated to begin with a 5:00 p.m. social hour, followed by dinner at 6:00 p.m. The Class of 2010 will then be introduced.
“We’re really very excited about this year’s class,” Hall of Fame Chairman Thomas Jenkins told TWI Sports. “It’s a diverse group of men and women from all over Wayne County.”
All-Time Greats
There are 24 honorees in the Class of ‘10. Four were elected posthumously and 20 are still living...
•Patricia Bendick, Lee Benjamin, Walter Garing, Pete Goyette, Glenn Granquist, Tony Herzog, Mike Hessling, Richie Hessling and Bob Hessling.
•Hugh Irwin, George Kinsman, Jim Martin, Jim Merritt, Rose Merritt, Ray Ofner, Bill Ordnung, Bill Rossbach, Randy Schmalzle, Terry Schwartz, Joey Shershenovich.
•Jeff Thol, Ron Tussel Jr., Tom Wasylyk and Harry “HR” Weiss.
Tickets for the Induction Dinner are still available, but are going fast. To reserve a place at the Sept. 25th ceremony, please contact Cathy Howell at 253-3777.
Community Ties
Over the course of the past 15 years, the Wayne County Sports Hall of Fame has developed ever-deeper ties to the community.
According to Jenkins, one of the local shrine’s most important messages is aimed directly at kids.
“We hope that, through Hall of Fame activities, youngsters growing up in Wayne County will realize the benefits of being in sports,” he said. “Being part of a team can help teach life lessons you might not learn anywhere else.”
The Hall of Fame has also endowed a fund that grants money to local organizations that sponsor youth athletic events.
Jenkins oversaw the first such presentation this summer as the Hall gave a $500 award to North Pocono’s Community Education Program.
“They used the money to help support their summer clinics,” he said. “We are hoping that other local organizations will contact us so we can help.”
