ST. JOSEPH, Mo (News-Press NOW) — The fifth annual St. Joseph area sports hall of fame induction ceremony takes place Sunday, Aug. 24, at the Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center.
The social hour will be at 4 p.m., with the ceremony beginning at 5 p.m. Sports commission director Brett Esely said this year’s class is full of mentors.
“Mentors from the standpoint of all of these inductees were great at their crafts, but all of these inductees also helped other people be great,” Esely said. “They helped other people get to reach their goals where they want to go.”
The inductees for this year’s class include:
Bob Boyles, powerlifting champion and personal trainer; Rob Calloway, professional boxer known as the “All-American Prize Fighter”; Mike Habermehl, PGA Club professional at St. Joseph Country Club and Missouri Western State University assistant golf coach; Elijah Lee, eight-year NFL veteran linebacker from St. Joseph who spent part of his high school football career at Central High School; Chris Maljavac, men’s fastpitch softball national champion; Bob Orf, radio broadcasting personality for KFEQ in St. Joseph and former voice of Missouri Western Athletics; Justin Thornton, Central High School Alum and former University of Kansas Football player from 2007-2010 as well as an undrafted free agent signee of the Pittsburgh Steelers; Adam Selkirk, three-time Missouri State High School tennis champion; Don Tabor, longtime head coach for Christian Brothers High School, Bishop LeBlond High School and Benton High School; 1977 Bishop LeBlond boys basketball state championship team; Chris Ringot, Special Olympics Area Athlete of the Year.
“We’re going to have another full house, which is what we should have for an area Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony,” Esely said. “We have another great class, I think you are going to hear a lot of great stories.”
Tickets will not be available at the door and will need to be purchased ahead of time.
Tickets can be purchased for $25 each by visiting the Sports Commissions website stjomosports.com/hall-of-fame/ or by going to the Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Also being recognized at the event will be the fourth winner of the Bill Snyder Woman of Impact award, golfer Ali Perry. The sophomore at the University of Arkansas Fort Smith will receive the award from Coach Snyder.
“This town loves history; we like to remember,” Esely said. “We love our past, we’re prideful about it and love to celebrate. Just great history.”
