About
History
Our History
About Us
On April 13, 1990, the charter members of the Greater Utica Sports Hall of Fame were announced in the lobby of Utica City Hall.
Among the inductees are people who made names for themselves in every sport imaginable. These fine athletes, coaches, officials, administrators, executives, and supporters have achieved fame, fortune, respect and admiration from all over the United States. The Utica area’s athletic heroes have impacted the sports world in every corner of the country and in several parts of the world. The members of the Greater Utica Sports Hall of Fame have shined bright lights on our area through their tremendous accomplishments on and off of the field of play. All should be proud that their careers began here.
The logo that sits at the top of this page was designed by Allen Gilberti in 1988, The meaning behind its design is simple – the large “U” stands for “Greater Utica” and the flame in the center signifies the glow of posterity. Without a doubt those who have already been inducted and will be inducted in the future will forever be remembered in posterity.
A small sampling of the recognition and adulation the Greater Utica Sports Hall of Fame inductees have garnered in the various sports they have played or coached include having Hall of Famer Lou Ambers in the International Boxing Hall of Fame; Jerry Walczak and Leonard Maida in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association’s Hall of Fame. Ted Kroll was a member of three Ryder Cup golf teams. Billy Mills was honored by the National Baseball Congress in 1953. Lou Lazzaro is a member of the Fonda Speedway Hall of Fame, the DIRT Motorsports Hall of Fame, The New York State Stock Car Association Hall of Fame, and the Eastern Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame. Ted Schoff, Joe Milazzo, Jim LaFountain and Hal Schumacher are members of the Mohawk Valley Baseball Hall of Fame. Hank Brown has broadcast several National Baseball Hall of Fame exhibition games and Olympic and International Boxing matches. Dave D’Alessandro is referred to as the man who saved the Boston Marathon.
Other area athletic stars with instant name recognition who began their careers here in the Greater Utica area include Mark Lemke, Ted Lepcio, Dave Cash, Art Mills, Andy Van Slyke, Hal White, Charles “Boots” Day, and George Burns in baseball; Wayne Levi, Cash Garvey, Moira Dunn-Bohls, and Edward Furgol in golf; “Bushy” Graham in boxing; John Pitaressi, Don Staffo, Vic Carucci and Lloyd Walsh in the media; Ian Anderson, Ted Sator, Mark Mowers and Jack Kane in hockey; Dennis Gregory and Irene Wurz in bowling; Laura Bradley in judo; Cedric Oliver, Paul Stappenback, Shelly Pennefather, Emily Durr, and Ron Barr in basketball; Rosario “Russ” Dalia and William Shaughnessy in Tennis; Richie Evans in NASCAR; Val Bialas and Erin Hamlin in the Olympics, and Byron Abraham, Ernest Jones and Will Smith in football. And, of course, Mike Slive in the NCAA. The list goes on and on!
The Greater Utica Sports Hall of Fame adds five distinguished individuals to its roster of Hall of Famers today. They only add greater luster, additional esteem and further prestige to this venerated collection of exceptional athletes, coaches, administrators, officials, and executives. Congratulations to all of you on an achievement well-deserved.
-Lou Parrotta, Past President
September 26, 2021
On April 13, 1990, the charter members of the Greater Utica Sports Hall of Fame were announced in the lobby of Utica City Hall.
The logo that sits at the top of this page was designed by Allen Gilberti in 1988. The meaning behind its design is simple – the large “U” stands for “Greater Utica” and the flame in the center signifies the glow of posterity.
