Past Alvin Foon Award Honorees


The Board of Governors of the Michigan Jewish Sports Hall of Fame established the Alvin Foon Humanitarian Award to honor the memory of one of its founders and the driving force behind its creation. Alvin Foon was instrumental in the formation of the Michigan Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 1984 and worked tirelessly on its behalf. His death on February 23, 1987 left a tremendous void in this organization, but as a result of his original dedication and marvelous spirit, the organization has subsequently been able to thrive. Alvin Nathan Foon was born in Cincinnati in 1922. Four years later, he and his family moved to Detroit, and he lived in this area the rest of his life. His sudden death saddened friends and associates.
But the legacy he left through the MJSHOF is still supported by those who admired and cared about him. His beloved wife, Shirley, carried on that legacy until her death in February 2017. Shirley was an active board of governor member and member of many committees. It was only fitting that after her passing the award be changed to represent both Shirley and Alvin’s commitment to the foundation. In selecting the annual honoree, the Board of Governors searches for an individual or individuals who exemplify strong athletics in the State of Michigan and the spirit, enthusiasm, and ideals of Shirley and Alvin Foon.

1987
DON CANHAM

1988
ERNIE HARWELL

1989
MIKE ILITCH

1990
BO SCHEMBECHLER

1991
MIKE ADRAY

1992
LEM BARNEY

1993
SPARKY ANDERSON

1994
J.P. MCCARTHY

1995
WILL ROBINSON

1996
COLLEEN & GORDIE HOWE

1997
REGGIE MCKENZIE

1998
PETER KARMANOS JR.

1999
JOE DUMARS

2000
JOE FALLS

2001
SCOTTY BOWMAN

2002
TONY FILIPPIS, SR.

2003
TOM IZZO

2004
LAURIE & LLOYD CARR

2005
ROBERT PORCHER

2006
JEROME BETTIS

2007
WILLIE HORTON

2008
STEVE YZERMAN

2009
EMANUEL STEWARD

2010
DICK & SANDRA DAUCH

2011
RICHARD BERNSTEIN

2012
ERWIN “ITSY” LIEBERMAN

2013
CHARLIE SANDERS

2014
EDWARD HAROLD KOZLOFF

2015
VINNIE JOHNSON

2016
GERALD E. ROSEN

2017
GREG KAMPE

2018
JIM & LISA PRICE

2019
CHRISTOPHER ILLITCH

2022
SAINT CECILIA “THE SAINT”
THE SAM WASHNGTON FAMILY

2023
GREGORY KELSER