New Location Announced for Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
After relocating to McCormick Place last year, the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame (CSHOF) Induction Ceremony will be held in McCormick Square’s newest facility, the state-of-the-art Wintrust Arena on the evening of Monday, October 2, 2017.
This year’s Hall of Fame will honor Tom Ricketts, Owner of the Chicago Cubs as Chicago Sports Owner of the Year, and Andrew Hauptman, Owner of the Chicago Fire, as Chicago Sports Advocate of the Year. “We are excited to have NBC Sports Group host and reporter, Kathryn Tappen, moderate a panel featuring these two Chicago team owners,” said Charlie Carey, Board President of CSHOF. Comcast and its subsidiaries Xfinity and NBC Sports Group, join CSHOF this year as the presenting media sponsor.
Other honorees include active and retired Chicago sports legends: celebrated strike-out pitcher Chicago Cub Kerry Wood; Cappie Pondexter, Chicago Sky and former MVP of the WNBA; three time Stanley Cup Champion, Chicago Blackhawks captain, Jonathan Toews.
Also being inducted are Chicagoland natives Brian McBride, retired soccer star of the Chicago Fire, and speed skater Tommy Shimoda of Special Olympics. Three local broadcasting icons: baseball legend Hawk Harrelson of the White Sox, Green Bay Packers fan favorite and Thornton Township High School star, Ivan “John” Jurkovic of ESPN 1000, and five-time Emmy Award winner Kenny McReynolds of WCIU, are also being honored. Hall of Fame Head Basketball Coach Geno Auriemma of the University of Connecticut Huskies will be honored with the Ray Meyer Award, and Notre Dame Heisman Trophy winner Tim “Mr. Raider” Brown, of the Oakland Raiders will receive the Gale Sayers Award.
Fox News sports anchor Corey McPherrin returns as emcee of the induction dinner. The event benefits the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame Charities, a 501c3 tax-exempt organization in Illinois honoring those who have distinguished themselves through their contribution to sports. Individual tickets are $200 each and tables of ten are available. VIP cocktails are from 5:30-6:30PM with dinner and induction starting at 7PM on Monday October 2nd at Wintrust Arena 200 E. Cermak Ave, Chicago, 60616.
Proceeds from the event support World Sport Chicago, an independent non-profit organization that supports resiliency and strengthens community by increasing access to youth sport; the Chicago Sports Commission, an organization designed to recruit and support high-profile sporting events that generate economic impact and exposure for the City of Chicago; and Father John Smyth’s Standing Tall Foundation, which provides resources and opportunities for homeless, undeserved and at-risk youth to develop and establish a safe, secure and productive lifestyle.
For more information or to purchase tickets please go to our website www.chicagolandsportshalloffame.com or call (312) 341-3410