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.

DON CANHAN

1987

DON CANHAM

ERNIE HARWELL

1988

ERNIE HARWELL

MIKE ILITCH

1989

MIKE ILITCH

1990

BO SCHEMBECHLER

MIKE ADRAY

1991

MIKE ADRAY

LEM BARNEY

1992

LEM BARNEY

SPARKY ANDERSON

1993

SPARKY ANDERSON

J.P. MCCARTHY

1994

J.P. MCCARTHY

WILL ROBINSON

1995

WILL ROBINSON

COLLEEN & GORDIE HOWE

1996

COLLEEN & GORDIE HOWE

REGGIE MCKENZIE

1997

REGGIE MCKENZIE

PETER KARMANOS JR.

1998

PETER KARMANOS JR.

JOE DUMARS

1999

JOE DUMARS

JOE FALLS

2000

JOE FALLS

SCOTTY BOWMAN

2001

SCOTTY BOWMAN

TONY FILIPPIS, SR.

2002

TONY FILIPPIS, SR.

TOM IZZO

2003

TOM IZZO

LAURIE & LLOYD CARR

2004

LAURIE & LLOYD CARR

ROBERT PORCHER

2005

ROBERT PORCHER

JEROME BETTIS

2006

JEROME BETTIS

WILLIE HORTON

2007

WILLIE HORTON

STEVE YZERMAN

2008

STEVE YZERMAN

EMANUEL STEWARD

2009

EMANUEL STEWARD

DICK & SANDRA
DAUCH

2010

DICK & SANDRA DAUCH

RICHARD BERSTEIN

2011

RICHARD BERNSTEIN

ERWIN ITSY LIEBERMAN

2012

ERWIN “ITSY” LIEBERMAN

CHARLIE SANDERS

2013

CHARLIE SANDERS

EDWARD HAROLD KOZLOFF

2014

EDWARD HAROLD KOZLOFF

Vinnie Johnson

2015

VINNIE JOHNSON

GERALD E. ROSEN

2016

GERALD E. ROSEN

GREG KAMPE

2017

GREG KAMPE

JIM & LISA PRICE

2018

JIM & LISA PRICE

Christopher Illitch

2019

CHRISTOPHER ILLITCH

Sam Washington

2022

SAINT CECILIA “THE SAINT”
THE SAM WASHNGTON FAMILY

Gregory Kelser

2023

GREGORY KELSER