Buffalo Rising Online

Sep 20th 2005, 1:49am By queenseyes

The concept of creating a sports hall of fame for Buffalo had been suggested and discussed many times over the years. It was brought to fruition in the fall of 1990 when local businessman John Kapelewski got things moving. Several years earlier, Kapelewski, the manager of Associated Insurance & Financial Group's Buffalo office, had helped create the Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame. Following his transfer to Buffalo, he discovered the Queen City was without a sports hall of fame of its own.

Shortly thereafter, Kapelewski began recruiting a board of directors, a group of local businesspeople and diehard Buffalo sports fans, all dedicated to reaching their goal -- the creation of the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame.

Incorporated as a non-profit organization, the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame group began meeting regularly in 1991, putting together plans for an inaugural induction dinner, creating a nomination form, distributing them to Western New York Sports Fans, tabulating results and announcing the first class of 11.

This community's sports hall of fame is one of our nation's most unique since its scope is all encompassing. Its honorees live, have lived and worked in Western New York. They are men and women who have contributed to the welfare of sports in Greater Buffalo by performance, time, effort and/or financial support whether that sport be amateur or professional.

The public is welcome to visit the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame's exhibit, which opened to the public October 7, 1999. It is free and located on the lower level of the HSBC Arena atrium in Downtown Buffalo. Memorabilia, information, interactive computer kiosks and video presentations are displayed in honor of these great men and women.

The Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame announced the inductees for the Class of 2005 at a June 9th press conference at HSBC Arena in downtown Buffalo. This year's class includes Buffalo State Basketball Coach Dick Bihr, Buffalo Sabres/Bisons Trainer Frank Christie, Three-Time Bills' Pro Bowler Shane Conlan (photo), Erie CC Bowling Coach Kerm Helmer, Jamestown High Football Coach Wally Huckno, Archer David Hryn, Hockey Hall of Fame Writer Jim Kelley, Amateur Golfer John Konsek, Weight Lifter Don Reinhoudt, All-Around Athlete Phil Scaffidi, and Bills' Wall of Fame Linebacker Mike Stratton. -GBSHF

The Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremonies and dinner will be held on October 25, 2005, at HSBC Arena. The HSBC Arena pavilion is the main entrance to the arena, located at Washington and Perry Streets. The Greater Buffalo Sports Hall Of Fame display is located in the pavilion, just outside the Sabres Store. The display is open whenever the pavilion is - Mon - Fri, 9 AM - 5 PM, and on event days 9:00am through the event.