Past Hall of Fame Honorees
1985
Hank Greenberg
Played in 1,394 major league games for the Detroit Tigers (1933-1947) and Pittsburgh Pirates (1947). Twice voted most valuable player. Three times led or tied for home run leadership. Four times led league in runs batted in. After retiring from the field, he made outstanding contributions to baseball in an executive capacity. Named to National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1956, and the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 1958. Inducted 1985, Died 1986
William Davidson
Acquired the Detroit Pistons in 1974. Earned a bachelor’s Degree in business administration at the University of Michigan and earned a Juris Doctor from Wayne State University. He was president, chairman and CEO of Guardian Industries, the flagship of his many business interests. His management talents were continually on display in the NBA, where he was involved in the player relations and the finance committee. Davidson was also active in community and charitable concerns. Inducted 1985, Died 2009
Benny Friedman
Quarterback at the University of Michigan from 1924-1926. All-American in 1925-1926. Big Ten most valuable player in 1926 when he led the conference in touchdowns scored. Played professional football with Cleveland, Detroit, New York Giants and Brooklyn Dodgers. Member of the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame. Red Grange called Friedman the best quarterback he ever played against. Inducted 1985, Died 1982
Harry Newman
Led Michigan to three straight championships as a quarterback, punt returns and place kicker. Scored 57 of Michigan’s 82 points against Big Ten opponents in 1932. Won Douglas Fairbanks Trophy as most valuable player in the United States (the trophy is considered the forerunner to the Heisman Trophy). Began playing professionally in1933 with the New York Giants, leading them the league championship against the Chicago Bears. Named all pro and helped the Giants to championship seasons in the following two years. Inducted 1985, Died 2000
1986
Mervin Pregulman
All-American tackle at the University of Michigan in 1943. Played center and guard as well during his Michigan career. Played in the NFL from 1946-1949 with the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions. Played while a student at Lansing Central High School, from which he graduated in 1939. Named to the National Football Foundation College Football Hall of Fame in 1982. Inducted in 1986, Died 2012
Brian Krieger
A two-time Olympian in 1952 and 1956, and member of the 1951 Gold Medal winning U.S. Pan-American Games fencing team. A graduate of Northwestern High School in Detroit. Was Wayne State’s first All-American fencer. Won NCAA Foil Championship in 1942. Was 62-7 in dual meets as a collegian, including 30-0 in foil. Won the 1957 Maccabi Games Sabre Title. Elected to Michigan Amateur Sports Hall of Fame in 1974. One of six original inductees to WSU Hall of Fame in 1976. Inducted in 1986, Died 2015
Philip “Cindy” Sachs
Basketball player, coach, tournament promoter and Detroit Pistons scout. As a coach his teams won 28 championships, totaling 782 victories against 158 defeats. Coached Lawrence Tech for 4 years, winning 56 games, and winning the 1937-1938 Michigan-Ontario title. Won 7 Michigan AAU Championships and the 1945 Cleveland Pro Invitational. Inaugurated the first basketball schools in Michigan in 1950. Spent years as a referee in amateur, semi-professional and professional levels. Elected to Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 1973. Inducted 1986, died in 1973
1987
Daniel Dworsky
Outstanding linebacker and defensive captain on University of Michigan’s 1947 and 1948 National Championship teams. Earned four varsity letters in football and two in wrestling. Born in Minneapolis in 1927. Was a star high school athlete in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Starred in 1948 Rose Bowl, where U of M defeated USC 49-0. Played pro football for Los Angeles Dons in 1949. Among the local buildings designed by this much-honored Los Angeles-based architect is Ann Arbor’s Crisler Arena. Inducted 1987, Died 2022
Herman Fishman
Considered one of the finest all-around athletes produced in the Detroit area during the 1930s. Northern High School star athlete in four sports. Won 6 varsity letters at University of Michigan and named All-Big Ten baseball and basketball player. Held Big Ten single season E.R.A. record (0.89) for 15 years. Pitched for service All-Stars against American League All-Stars in 1942. Member of Detroit Pistons Board of Directors from their arrival in Detroit until his death in 1967. Joins his brothers Ben, Manny and Mickey as the only four brothers in U of M athletic history to all earn varsity letters. Inducted 1987
Myron “Susie” Schecter
One of the state’s greatest basketball players during the 1920s and ‘30s. Starred for City College of Detroit (Wayne State) from 1926-1928. Captained the famed “Point-A-Minute” team in 1928 that finished 18-1, winning the state’s first Michigan Collegiate Conference. Was first man in state to score more than 200 points in one season: 221 in 1926. Was selected to the All-Conference team. Also played professional basketball in the 1930s for the Flint Buicks. Born in Russia in 1905. Star athlete at Detroit’s Northeastern High School. Inducted in 1987, Died 1980
1988
Sam Bishop
Born Sam Goldstein in Benton Harbor. Star basketball and football player at Lane Tech High School in Chicago and Benton Harbor High. Continued to star in both sports at Western State Teachers College in Kalamazoo. Hired at Detroit Northwestern High School as football coach in 1924. Retired in 1968 having earned six city championships and two state titles. Also coached baseball and track teams to championship seasons. Voted National Educator of the Year 1970 by American Association of School Administrators. Elected to Michigan Sports Hall of Fame just prior to his death in 1977. Inducted in 1988
Leonard Brose
One of the best tennis players ever to come out of the Detroit area. Led Michigan State University to the Big Ten tennis championship and was the conference singles champion in 1951. Also, an NCAA quarter finalist in 1951. A five-time City of Detroit champion and three-time State of Michigan champion. Won both the state tennis and squash championships in 1951, and the National Seniors Tennis Championship in 1973 at age 46. Represented the USA in Maccabi Games in 1988 winning two silver medals. Inducted in 1988, died in 2019
Chuck Burns
One of the nation’s pioneers in the sport of table tennis. Michigan Men’s champion 17 times. Won 27 national titles and 17 international titles, including six U.S. Open Senior Men’s Championships. Participated in a U.S.O. tour of Europe, Asia and Africa giving exhibitions to the troops during World War II. Was playing captain of the United States team for international competitions in 1962. Also served as President – United States Table Tennis Association 1963 and 1964. Inducted into the Michigan Amateur Sports Hall of Fame in 1974, and into the United States Table Tennis Hall of Fame in 1984. Inducted 1988, Died 2002
1989
Lou Handler
Born 1910. Campus heavyweight boxing champion at Michigan State University. Following shoulder injury become a referee of national reputation. Refereed fights with Joe Louis, Sugar Ray Robinson, Tony Janero, Kid Gavalian, Rocky Graziano and many others including the championship fight between Jake LaMotta and Lauren Dauthielle. Died March 22, 1974. Inducted 1989
Mike Yellen
Born in 1960. One of the greatest racquetball players of all time. Captured the national championship and became the nation’s top ranked player in 1983. Won national titles in 1984, 1985, 1986, and 1987. Only player to win five consecutive titles and racquetball’s “Grand Slam.” Inducted 1989
Jacob Mazer
Born in Russia, January 6, 1877. One of Michigan’s pioneer basketball players. Led Detroit Athletic Club team in more than 300 intercollegiate and club games and lost only seven. Elected President of the Michigan Amateur Athletic Union in 1929. Also founder of the Cadillac Athletic Club in downtown Detroit. Formed a pro-basketball team, the Detroit Eagles, in 1939. Died July 26, 1958. Inducted 1989
1990
Benjamin B. Bagdade
One of Michigan’s speed skating pioneers. Moved to Detroit from Montreal in early 1920s. Served as manager of U.S. Olympic Speed Skating Team in 1948. Served as official in Winter Olympic Games in 1952, 1956, and 1960. Member of U.S. Speed Skating Committee from 1948-1968. President of American Skating Union 1948-1950. Inducted into Michigan Amateur Sports Hall of Fame in 1977 and Speed Skating Hall of Fame in 1978. Inducted 1990, Died 2004
Carl Bayer
All-City basketball player for Detroit Northern High School in the early 1930s. Three-year starter at Wayne State University, two years co-captain, and team’s high scorer. Participated in 1936 Olympic Basketball Trials. Member of Detroit Eagles Professional Basketball Team. Player and Coach of Alameda Navy Base Basketball Team during World War II. Also starting short centerfielder on Briggs Beautyware Fast Pitch Softball team that won World Championship Fast Pitch Softball title for four years in the late 1930s. Died in 1986. Inducted 1990
Henry Berris
All-City forward on Detroit Northern High School basketball team in early 1930s. Played college basketball at Wayne State University. First freshman ever named Captain. Won six letters at Wayne in basketball and baseball. Participated in 1936 Olympic Basketball Trials. Coached youth basketball at the Jewish Community Center for many years. Long-time team dentist for Detroit Pistons. Died in 1980, same year as Henry “Honey” Berris Memorial Basketball League established at JCC. Inducted 1990
1991
Joe Magidsohn
Came to U.S. from Latvia in 1893. All-Western football player at the University of Michigan in 1909 and 1910 for Fielding H. Yost. A hard-hitting left halfback on offense and defensive back on defense. Known for his durability, as well as ball carrying ability. Chosen to All-American teams by Walter Camp in 1909 and 1910. Believed to be first Jew to letter in football at U of M. After graduation, he began a career as a civil engineer. Remained active in sports as a Big Ten referee for 34 years. Refereed 1921 Rose Bowl, several Army-Notre Dame games and College All-Star game. Inducted 1991, Died 1969
Julius Goldman
Acclaimed finest athlete ever at the Detroit Institute of Technology (Detroit Tech). A four-sport athlete, winning 14 letters in basketball, football, baseball and track. Later became Detroit Tech’s most successful basketball coach with a .656 winning percentage. In 1973 was named the top student athlete of the half-century from the W.D. Lowe Secondary School in Windsor, Ontario. Served as assistant coach of 1936 Canadian Olympic Basketball team that won the silver medal in Berlin. Became member of the Olympic Rules Committee. Was leading proponent for change that eliminated jump ball after every field goal. Also, a long-time football and basketball referee in Detroit. Inducted 1991, Died 2001
Abe Eliowitz
All-City and All-State football star at Western High School in 1928 and 1929. Became football and baseball star at Michigan State. Selected to various All-Star teams in 1932 and 1933; captained 1932 Spartans. Went on to star in Canadian Football League with the Ottawa Roughriders and Montreal Alouettes. Elected to the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1969. Coached football, baseball and cross country from 1949 to 1970 at Cooley High School and from 1970 to retirement in 1975 at Redford High School. Died in 1981 at age 71. Inducted 1991
1992
David Lamed Linden
Born May 1, 1949, in Detroit. All-City tennis 1964-1967. Squash Racquets-New York City Champion 1977. Nationally ranked second, 1977. Silver medalist, Maccabi Games, Israel 1977 and 1981. Michigan State and City of Detroit Champion 1984. National Men’s Singles Champion-35, hardball 1986, 1987, and 1989. National Men’s Champion-35 International Ball 1984, 1985, and 1987. National Men’s Champion-40 hardball 1991 and 1992. National Men’s Champion-40 International Ball 1990. Inducted 1992
Leonard Karpeles
Born January 11, 1911 in East Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Played semi-professional baseball at age 14. Starred in football and basketball at East High School in Youngstown, Ohio. Quarterback on University of Pittsburgh Rose Bowl team in 1931. Moved to Detroit in 1932 and began long career of excellence in various racquet sports. From 1935 through mid-1960s, won various tennis, squash, and table tennis tournaments throughout metro Detroit and Michigan. Became racquet sports teaching professional at Tam O’Shanter Country Club and Southfield Athletic Club. Coached Michael Yellen to five consecutive national racquetball championships. Inducted 1992
Sam Taub
Born January 19, 1930 in Detroit. All-City basketball and baseball at Central High School 1946-1948. Varsity basketball and baseball at University of Detroit 1949-1954. Also played slow pitch softball on three national championship teams. College basketball referee for 15 years, working in Big Ten and Mid-American conferences. Mumford High School basketball coach 1966-1972. Won PSL Championship in 1969. Athletic Director 1972 to 1989. Inducted 1992, Died 1979
1993
Albert J. Silber
Born in Detroit on March 15, 1912. Between 1928 through 1933 won nine State AAU Championships in the high jump and long jump. As a 14-year-old at City College of Detroit (Wayne State University) became the youngest athlete in the country to ever earn a varsity letter. Member of the American touring track team in 1932, and in 1933 was third in the National AAU high jump championships. Graduated University of Michigan Law School with honors at age 20. Played two years of semi-professional basketball. Inducted 1993
Harry Eisenstat
A native of Brooklyn, was a major league pitcher for Brooklyn, Detroit and Cleveland from 1936 until 1942 when he entered the Army Air Corps. Won 25 games and lost 27 with a 3.84 ERA. While with Tigers in 1938 won both ends of a doubleheader and was the winning pitcher against Bob Feller in the game in which Feller struck out 18 Tigers to set a major league record. Inducted 1993, Died 2003
Ralph Goldstein
Born October 26, 1934 in Detroit. Was All-State as member of 1951-1952 Central High School basketball team. Won National and All-Conference honors as captain of 1955-1956 University of Detroit squad. A three-year starter, he was the first guard to score more than 1,000 points. Later coached at St. Theresa and Divine Child high schools and Aquinas College. Inducted into the University of Detroit Sports Hall of Fame in 1982. Died June 30, 1988. Inducted 1993
1994
James M. Kamman
One of the outstanding collegiate wrestlers of the 1960s while attending University of Michigan. Michigan State AAU champion, 1964; Big Ten champion, 1965; Big Ten and NCAA champion, 1967; All-Marine and All-Navy champion, 1969 and 1970. Received Fielding H. Yost Award for athletic and academic achievement in 1967. Flew more than 200 missions in Vietnam, earning Distinguished Flying Cross and 15 Strike Flight Air Medals. Inducted 1994
Robert R. Luby
A native of Detroit, won three letters each in track and football at Wayne State University from 1937 to 1940. Captain of track team in 1940. Led mile relay team to victories at Penn, Illinois and Butler. Returned two punts and pass interceptions for touchdowns in single game in 1937. Elected to Wayne State University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1993. Served as division director of Detroit Public School’s Department of Health, Physical Education and Athletics from 1962 to 1983. Inducted 1994
David Rott
Born in Detroit, May 31, 1928. Started playing handball in 1958; thereafter finished either first or second in more than 70 international, national, state and local tournaments. Won a World Super Masters Doubles championship, two Canadian National Super Masters championships and eight various United States senior titles. Won the Michigan Open Doubles tournament in 1975 and six Michigan master championships from 1984 to 1992. Inducted 1994
1995
Myron N. “Joe” Ginsberg
Born in New York City, October 11, 1926. Graduated from Cooley High School, lettering in baseball and basketball. Signed professional baseball contract when 17 years old and caught for 13 years in the major leagues, including five years with the Detroit Tigers. Had a .241 lifetime batting average, and a .983 fielding average. Inducted 1995, Died 2012
Mike Hartman
Born in Detroit, February 7, 1967. Drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in 1986, played in 397 National Hockey League games over a period of nine years. Was member of New York Ranger team that won Stanley Cup in 1993-1994. Inducted 1995
Benny Goldberg
Born in Warsaw in 1919 and lived in Detroit from 1922 to 1945. Boxed as featherweight and bantamweight and had only two losses in 37 recorded bouts. Won 14 fights by knockouts. Elected to Boxing Hall of Fame in 1994. Was world’s second-ranked bantamweight from 1943 to 1946, and in 1943 lost 15-round split decision in title fight. Inducted 1995, Died 2001
1996
Don Berger
A high school baseball and football-star in Philadelphia. Played linebacker and center for Michigan State from 1955 to 1957. Started for 1957 Rose Bowl Championship team and played in 1957 Blue-Gray game. Played professional for Saskatchewan Rough Riders, New York Titans and Dallas Cowboys. Died in 1985. Inducted 1996
Ben Braun
Became head basketball coach at Eastern Michigan University in 1985 and in 1996 became “winningest” coach in school’s history. Led team to NCAA tournament three times in 11 years and reached round of 16 in 1991. Voted 1987-1988 Michigan Basketball Coach of the Year. Coached United States silver medal winning team at the 1989 Maccabi Games. Inducted 1996
Charles Frankel
Played basketball and baseball for Michigan State University 1944-1945, and Wayne State University 1947-1950. Also played with U.S. Navy Oklahoma Skyjackets basketball team 1945-1947. At Michigan State was first freshman basketball player to win a letter. At Wayne State pitched no-hitter, won Best Athlete award, and was elected to College Hall of Fame. At Northern High School won nine letters and was selected for All-State basketball team. Inducted 1996, Died 2016
1997
Al Ackerman
Considered Detroit’s premier sports journalist on television during the 1960s, ‘70s, and ‘80s. Known for his no-nonsense approach, probing questions and challenging demeanor. He created the slogan “Bless You Boys” for the 1984 World Champion Detroit Tigers. He worked for channels 4 and 7 during his illustrious 25-year career in Detroit. Inducted 1997, Died 2016
Aaron Krickstein
Considered one of the greatest tennis players ever produced in the state of Michigan. Won boys 14, 16, and 18 National Singles championships. Youngest to ever win an ATP Tournament; youngest World Top 10. Won 12 professional titles; World Top 10 in 1984, 1985, 1989, 1990, and 1991; highest World Rank 6. U.S. Davis Cup Team 1984-1992. Semifinalist U.S. Open and Australian Open. Inducted 1997
Jackie Kallen
Known as the First Lady of Boxing. After working as a publicist for champion Thomas Hearns for ten years, she branched off into management when she discovered a young fighter named James Toney and steered him into two world championships. She has managed two other champions and has been nominated twice for Manager of the Year. Inducted 1997
1998
Mickey Fishman
Spent his early years as a champion swimmer. Most remembered as the star baseball pitcher for the University of Michigan. In 1942 led Michigan to the Big Ten title and pitched a nearly perfect game against Northwestern on the way to that title. When his athletic career ended he spent 25 years operating Camp Michigama where hundreds of boys and girls learned the discipline of participating in athletics. Inducted in 1998, Died 2013
Mark Jaffe
With 137 career championships in singles and doubles, definitely made his mark on more than the local tennis community. Named Michigan State Boys Singles Champion as a teenager in 1950, played on the 1957 University of Michigan NCAA championship team, and came out of retirement in 1981 to become the Maccabi Master’s Singles Champion in Israel. His career included two #1 rankings in the Western Tennis Association. Inducted 1998
Jay Robinson
The late Jay Robinson was the guiding light of the Maccabi Games in Detroit since 1983. Beyond the Detroit games, Robinson was also co-chair of the U.S. Junior team, chair of the U.S. master’s track and field, and participant in the triathlon in Israel for the World Maccabi Games. Despite these immense responsibilities, Jay never forgot the individual athlete, taking time to guide and encourage teens, as well as coaches, on a one-on-one basis. Inducted 1998
Inducted 1999, Died 1997
Alan Rothenberg
Native Detroiter attended Mumford High School and the University of Michigan. A prominent attorney, instructor and television commentator. President of the L.A. Clippers Basketball team 1982-1989. President of the United States Soccer Federation 1990-1998. Known internationally for his dedication to the world of soccer. Founder of Major League Soccer. Inducted 1999
Julius Spielberg
Immigrated to Detroit from Russia in 1921. Graduated from Detroit College of Pharmacy. He was a successful pharmacist for more than 60 years. At age 70 adopted a healthy diet and exercise program. At the Michigan Senior Olympics collected 10 gold medals in the 1500 and 5000-meter race walk. With race walking champion medals totaling 31, holds the National Senior record for the 5000m. Inducted in 1999, Died 2003
Allan Tolmich
Born in Detroit on March 30, 1918. Found his love of track at an early age. Joined the Wayne State University track team in 1934 as a walk-on. Captained the team in 1936 and 1937. Was 1937 National AAU Champion in 110 and 200 meters hurdles. 1937-1941 selected a member of the National AAU All-American Track team. During career set 10 world and U.S. records. Inducted 1999, Died 2012
2000
Jeffrey Deitch
Born in Detroit in 1961. One of the country’s finest squash players. A member of the University of Michigan’s 1980-1983 squash team. U of M team captain in 1983 before attending medical school. Was a finalist in the U.S. Open Hardball Championship in 1995 and National Hardball and Softball Championship in singles and doubles. Won state championships in squash singles and doubles in both the open and 35-plus divisions. Inducted in 2000
Paul Groffsky
A three-year starting center forward on the University of Michigan basketball team 1952-1955. Averaged double figures in scoring each of the three years and was the team’s leading rebounder during that time. He was leading scorer and most valuable player in sophomore year. Team captain his senior year, the first of only two “walk-on” captains of the Michigan basketball team in the last 50 years. Was also a starting forward on the gold medal-winning United States basketball team in the 1953 Maccabi games and high scorer for the United States in the championship game against Israel. Inducted in 2000
Bernard Kahn
A New York high school backstroke champion for two consecutive years, he was captain of the swim team those two years. Three-year letterman in swimming at the University of Michigan, as well as an All-American swimmer for two years. Member of the NCAA Swimming Championship team in 1948. In 1952, he took second in the 100-yard backstroke in the National AAU Championship at Yale. Inducted in 2000
2001
Walter Godfrey
Born in Detroit in 1935, Godfrey played for Michigan State University from 1954-1956. He was captain and starting guard for the Spartans basketball team and was the starting pitcher on the Spartans Big Ten Championship team in 1954. Signed by the Detroit Tigers after college. Inducted 2001
Sam Greenblatt
Born in Toronto in 1933. From the National Hockey League to USA Hockey, known and loved for his dedication, his contributions to the game and for helping to make hockey, throughout the world, what it is today. He spent more than 30 years as one of the leaders in the Michigan Amateur Hockey Association. Inducted in 2001, Died 2012
Alvin Rappaport
Born in Cleveland in 1913. Attended the University of Detroit from 1934-1936 where he was a member of the “Seven Iron Men” track team that competed nationally against the finest track teams in the country. He competed, and mostly won, in the 60-yard, 100-yard, 220-yard and sprint relays. He was a member of the U.S. International Sprint Relay team, along with Jesse Owens. He was inducted into the University of Detroit’s Sports Hall of Fame in 1987. Inducted in 2001, Died 2001
2002
Billy Berris
Born into basketball in 1950 as the son of Henry “Honey” Berris (a 1990 inductee). All-around athlete attended Mumford High School 1965-1968. Captain of his basketball team in his junior and senior years, led team in scoring and assists. As a senior, was selected by coaches as one of the top six guards in the city and the league. All-City in tennis, as well; was a two-year captain. Played college basketball at Wayne State. Represented the USA a record six times as a master’s basketball player at World Maccabi and Pan Am Games (1993-2000) and player-coach in 2001, winning a record six medal. Inducted 2002
Richie Jordan
One of the greatest high school athletes in Michigan’s sports history. Grew up in Fennville where he was All-State in basketball, football, baseball, and track. It was basketball that brought him to the public’s attention when he averaged 44.4 points per game in the 1964-65 season. A member of the National High School Hall of Fame, he went on to play basketball at Michigan State University and professional baseball in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. Inducted 2002
Marissa Pollick
Attended Berkley High School 1974-1977; was a state finalist on the girl’s tennis team, and also the first female to earn a varsity letter on the school’s boy’s tennis team. A four-year letter winner and two-time co-captain of the University of Michigan’s women’s tennis team. One of the first women to receive a varsity letter, in 1974. In 1999, was the first female president in the 86-year history of the U of M “M” Club. Inducted 2002
Dick Schaap
Born in Brooklyn in 1934, probably the most versatile journalist of his generation. His career included writing newspaper columns, magazine articles, and theater reviews, conducting television and radio interviews, and writing 33 books. He won seven Emmy Awards and was host of ESPN’s “Sports Reporters.” He was an integral part of the success of the Hank Greenberg Memorial Golf and Tennis Invitational, serving as honorary Co-Chair for 11 years. His tireless humanitarian effort and devotion to the event helped the Michigan Jewish Sports Foundation raise more than $1 million dollars for cancer research. Died December 21, 2001. Inducted 2002
2003
Steve Fishman
Born in Detroit in 1949. One of the top playmaking guards in the Detroit Public School League in the mid-1960s. Averaged 15 assists per game at Mumford High School in 1965-66. Named first-team All-City by PSL coaches and honorable mention All-State. All-City golf in 1965. Played basketball at the University of Michigan from 1967-1970. Inducted 2003
George Maskin
Born in Hamtramck in 1917. Elected to the Michigan High School Hall of Fame and Catholic League Hall of Fame. Sports Editor of the Observer-Eccentric during the 1960s and 1970s. Sports writer for the Detroit Times and Detroit Free Press. Officiated every sport at the high school and college levels, including College World Series. Inducted 2003, Died 2007
Eugene Mondry
Born in Detroit in 1930. Earned 11 athletic letters at Central High School in football, track and tennis. One of the country’s most accomplished competitive sailors. Skippered his own yacht in Port Huron-Mackinac races for over 39 years. Won class 8 times, twice overall. Won North American 40’ National Championship in 1982. Inducted 2003, Died 2008
Willie Stone
Born in Detroit in 1924. For more than 50 years distinguished himself in the sport of squash, competing in local, state and national tournaments. Won more than 200 championships and trophies. First local Jewish athlete to dominate the sport of squash. Inducted 2003, Died 2015
2004
Jeffrey A. Cohen
Three-year letter winner at University of Michigan playing for Bo Schembechler in 1980, 1982, 1983 as a defensive back. Played in Rose Bowl in 1981 and 1983. Member of Big Ten Championship team 1980 and 1982. Three-sport star at North Farmington High School in football, basketball and track. Inducted 2004
Jerry Green
Sportswriter and columnist for the Detroit News from 1963-2004. Named “Sports Writer of the Year” nine times by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association. 2002 finalist for the writer’s wing of Pro-Football Hall of Fame. Pulitzer Prize nomination for commentary and 2003 George F. Pierott “journalist of the Year”. Covered all 37 Super Bowls. Inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 2003. Inducted 2004, Died 2023
Philip Horowitz
Member of the Professional Bowlers Association from 1989-1993. Rolled 10 perfect 300-games and seven sanctioned 800-plus series in ABC competition. Has maintained 200-plus bowling average for more than 20 years. Won 11 Gold Medals in Senior Olympics and three Gold Medals in National Senior Sports Classics. Inducted 2004, Died 2012
Founders of the MJSHOF – 2004 Inductees
Photos in order are: Alvin Foon* Billy Jacobs* Myron Milgrom Seymour Brode Mickey Fishman Robert A. Steinberg
In 1984, Alvin Foon created the concept to both honor Jewish individuals who had distinguished themselves in athletics within the state of Michigan and to raise funds for charitable causes. Foon enlisted fellow community leaders and activists Jacobs, Milgrom, Brode, Fishman, and Steinberg to establish the Michigan Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. Their visions and hard work was honored on the 20th Anniversary of the MJSHOF. Inducted 2004
*of blessed memory
2005
Sam Babcock
1928 graduate of the University of Michigan. All-City in football at Central High School. Played three years under legendary coach Fielding Yost at the University of Michigan, alongside Benny Friedman. As a starting left halfback, scored touchdowns against Michigan State and Indiana. Inducted 2005, died in 2016
Oscar Feldman
Graduate of the University of Michigan in 1943. Oscar Feldman has been part of the Detroit Pistons for more than 30 years, holding such positions as General Manager and Legal Counsel. Represents the Pistons at NBA Board of Governor meetings. Inducted 2005
Frank Goldberg
Graduate of Central Michigan University in 1965. An all-around great athlete at Mumford High School, starring in football, baseball and hockey. He starred at CMU from 1962-1965 where he was a starting middle linebacker and tight end. During the ’63 and ’64 seasons, he was voted All-Conference of the Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. In 1965 he was drafted by the Cleveland Browns. Inducted 2005, died in 2023
2006
Marianne Ring Caplan
Born February 22, 1961 in Detroit. Number-one singles at Groves High School 1976-78, with a 44-7 record and winning regionals twice. State semi-finalist in 1978. Voted All-League, All-Oakland County, All-Metro, and All-State. Earned tennis scholarship to top-ten-ranked Pepperdine University. Played singles and doubles freshman year. Transferred to the University of Michigan and played singles and doubles. In 2002, won a Bronze Ball in USTA Women’s 40’s Doubles National Grasscourt Championships and earned number 10 USTA national singles ranking. Won Gold in 40’s Singles and Silver in 35’s Mixed Doubles at 2005 World Maccabi Games. Inducted 2006
Bert Ruby
Born in Hungary in 1910. He was a star soccer player as a young man. Immigrated to Canada in 1930s. Moved to Detroit and became a professional wrestler for 20 years until he retired in 1954. Became the primary professional wrestling promoter in Michigan with weekly TV shows throughout the state. Wrote for The Wrestling News magazine. He raised money for countless organizations and charities through local wrestling shows. His “Motor City Wrestling” show on WXYZ-TV ran for many years in the 1950s and 60s. Died in March 1968. Inducted 2006
Mathieu Schneider
Born in New York, June 12, 1969. The all-time leading Jewish scorer in NHL history and one of the league’s all-time top scoring defensemen. Originally drafted in 1987 by the Montreal Canadiens and was on 1992-93 Stanley Cup championship team. Also played for New York Islanders, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers and Los Angeles Kings. Traded to the Detroit Red Wings from LA Kings in 2003. Played in two NHL All-Star games. Also, a two-time US Olympic Team member. Inducted 2006
Larry Stark
Born December 2, 1953, in Detroit. Received city, regional and state honors playing varsity tennis at Berkley High School with 30-1 record senior year. Voted team’s MVP. Played #1 singles and doubles at Michigan State, 1972-76. Co-captain senior year. Won seven major USTA Men’s Open tennis titles. In 2004, ranked #1 USTA 50-plus Men’s in Michigan and Number-two 50-plus Men’s Mid-Central Region. In squash, three-time USSRA National Semi-Finalist. Nationally ranked number-three in men’s 35-plus and number-two in men’s 40-plus. Won 15 USSRA Michigan squash titles. Winner Men’s USSRA Singles State “A” Open, Men’s 35-plus (1989) and 40-plus (1994) State Champion. Inducted 2006
2007
Bill Serman
Born in Detroit on July 4, 1924. A terrific all-around athlete who played basketball and earned All-City honors in baseball at Central High School. Later in life he pursued golf, tennis and squash with excellence. A strong supporter of Israel, Bill is recognized for his contributions to the development of baseball in that country. He led the effort through the Israel-American Baseball, Inc., Detroit Committee. He also served as a trustee of the Israel Baseball Association. Bill passed away on September 19, 1999. Inducted 2007
Josh Mondry
Born in Detroit on October 17, 1963. One of the state’s most accomplished amateur golfers. Winner of the Michigan Medal Play Championship in 1989, 1992, and 1996; winner of the Horton Smith championship in 1989, 1996, and 2002; 1988 Golf Association of Michigan Champion; runner-up Michigan Amateur Championship in 1989 and 1993. Voted Michigan Amateur Player of the Year in 1993 and 1996; and G.A.M. Player of the Year in 1993. Played in nine U.S.G.A. National Amateur championships and one British National championship. Played number one on the Stanford University golf team. Inducted 2007
Allan “Al” Freund
Born in New York on September 12, 1934 and moved to Detroit at age two. Ran track, cross country and played basketball at Central High School. Played basketball for two years at Highland Park Junior College. A very successful high school basketball coach at Hale, Rockford, and Southgate Schafer. Joined staff at Eastern Michigan University as assistant coach in 1967 and was head coach from 1972-1976 during the time when the school moved to Division I and joined the Mid-American Conference. Retired from EMU as an Assistant Professor of Physical Education in 1997. Inducted 2007, Died 2013
Frank Faudem
Born in Detroit on July 9, 1921. Played baseball and football at Central High School, earning All-City honors in baseball in 1940. Signed a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers in 1940. Hit .321 with 68 RBIs and 81 runs in 118 games for the Fulton Tigers in the Kitty League in 1941. Played for Winston-Salem of the Piedmont League in 1942. Joined the Army in January 1942 and was killed by a Japanese sniper in the South Pacific on January 12, 1945. Inducted 2007
Roy Clark
Born in Detroit on July 31, 1921. A two-sport star at Central High School in 1937-1940. Earned six varsity letters and All-City honors in baseball and basketball. Played professional baseball as a catcher in 1941 for the Bluefield, West Virginia, Blue Grays where he batted .306 with seven home runs and 37 RBIs in 79 games. His career was interrupted when he enlisted in the Army Air Corp shortly after Pearl Harbor. A war injury to his arm prevented him from accepting offers to continue his career. Inducted 2007
2008
Denise Thal
A 1977 Rhodes Scholar (and the first woman since 1904) who was a trailblazer in women’s sports by initiating a bill in the Michigan legislature making it legal for girls to play on school teams with men in non-contact sports. United States Tennis Association ranked, Michigan State doubles champion and varsity tennis and basketball-star at Harvard. Currently Executive Vice-President for Business Operations of Planned Parenthood Mid and South Michigan. Inducted 2008
Don Shane
For more than a quarter of a century a leading television sports reporter in Detroit. WXYZ-TV Action Sports Director. Winner of multiple Emmy Awards in recognition of his sports reporting. A graduate of the University of Maryland with a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Colorado. Inducted 2008, Died 2023
Ben Bayer
Basketball leading scorer at Detroit Northern High School in 1929. Captain of the Michigan State Normal (Eastern Michigan University) basketball team. Earned individual scoring honors. Older brother of previous MJSHOF inductee Carl Bayer. Inducted 2008
Leonard Alkon
Was the city 100- and 220-yard dash champion in the early 1940s while at Detroit Northern High School. His best high school clocking in the 100-yard dash was 9.7 seconds, and at the time the world record was 9.3 seconds. Big Ten 60-yard dash indoor champion while at University of Michigan.Inducted 2008, Died 2015
2009
Stephen D. Greenberg
Born September 8, 1948 in New York, the son of baseball legend and Hall-of-Famer Hank Greenberg. Managing Director of Allen & Company, focusing on sports and media. Represented owners in the sale of several baseball clubs, including: Milwaukee Brewers, Cincinnati Reds, and Atlanta Braves; represented Wilpon family in the acquisition of the New York Mets. Helped form regional sports networks in New York and Chicago, Big Ten Network and MLB Network. Co-founder Classic Sports Network and CSTV: College Sports TV. Served as Deputy Commissioner of Major League Baseball from 1990-93. Law degree from UCLA. Played five minor league seasons in Texas Rangers organization. 1970 Yale graduate; captain of baseball team. Inducted 2009
Dr. Stuart Kirschenbaum
State of Michigan Boxing Commissioner 1981-92, second longest tenure in state history. Instrumental in establishment of federal regulations for boxing. Co-founded the Association of Boxing Commissions. Judged more than a dozen World Boxing Championships. Outstanding amateur boxer; 1967 New York Golden Gloves, and 1993 Sports Illustrated recipient Joe Louis Award. Founder and President Michigan Boxing Hall of Fame. Served as President Michigan Jewish Sports Foundation, Vice President Michigan Sports Hall of Fame, board member International African American Sports Hall of Fame, board member Athletes with Disabilities Hall of Fame. Inducted 2009
Kathryn Krickstein-Pressel
Born on November 21, 1959, in Boston. Grew up in Grosse Pointe. Won several State of Michigan junior championships. Runner-up in the 18-and-under National Girl’s Doubles; won the State of Michigan Women’s Doubles and twice the Michigan Mixed Doubles. Won 1979 and 1980 Big Ten tennis championships while at U of M. Tennis Director at Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy; coached and traveled with top nationally-ranked tournament players. Lost her fight with breast cancer in 2003. Sister of MJSF Hall of Famer Aaron Krickstein. Daughters are LPGA Tour professional, Morgan, and University of Texas golfer, Madidon, and son Mitchell. Inducted 2009
Richard A. Loewenstein
Born July 18, 1960, in Detroit. Outstanding student athlete and dedicated youth sports coach. Babson College Freshman and Senior Athlete of the Year; 4-year hockey standout; 3-time baseball captain, MVP, All-New England, and played in the prestigious Cape Cod Baseball League. Cranbrook School Senior Athlete of the Year; team captain, All-Conference baseball; team captain, All-State hockey; All-State soccer. Selected to 2001 USA Men’s Fastpitch Softball team for World Maccabi Games. Inducted into the Detroit Men’s Senior Baseball League Hall of Fame in 2008. Inducted 2009
Steve Rosen
Born July 15, 1949 in Detroit, Rosen was a high school track star who won the county championship in the high jump and was the runner-up in the 180-yard hurdles. At the University of Michigan, he competed on the track team. As a varsity trackman, he placed in many dual meets, and several invitational meets, and participated in the Big Ten Championships. He lettered in track at U of M in 1971. He went on to graduate from Wayne State Medical School and practiced radiology from 1978-2006. He was a starter for the U.S.A. basketball squad in the 35-and-over division of the Maccabi International Games in Israel in 1993. Remained involved with Michigan track as an official for the University of Michigan track program. Inducted 2009, Died 2016
2010
George Cantor
Lifelong resident of Detroit area, graduate of Mumford High School and Wayne State. Author of 30 books (including U of M football and the World Series-winning 1968 and 1984 Detroit Tigers), countless sports articles, and newspaper columns. Lead reporter covering Detroit Tigers for Detroit Free Press, 1966-1969. Became sports and general news columnist and member of The Detroit News Editorial Board, 1979-2003. Joined staff of The Jewish News as columnist, 2003. Commentator on television and radio. Taught sports journalism at Wayne State and Oakland University. Received lifetime achievement award, April 2010, from Society of Professional Journalists, Detroit chapter. Inducted 2010, Died 2010
Richard J. “Hap” Foreman
Born in Detroit, 1938. Played baseball in Detroit Amateur Baseball Federation, Fireman, and Labor Leagues. Two varsity letters at Redford High School. At Olivet College, in 1957, batted .309 and signed by Philadelphia Phillies. Played football at Olivet College in fall 1958; led the MIAA in punting, averaging 37.3 yards per kick. Set Georgia-Florida League record in 1958, hitting two grand slams in one game and a RBI single, totaling nine RBIs in that game; hit one more grand slam a few weeks later. Sent to Phillies franchise in NY-Penn League. 1958 professional stats in 106 games: .250 batting average, 9 HR, 74 RBIs. Sustained professional and college career-ending knee injury. Inducted 2010, Died 2013
Richard Goldberg
Born in Detroit, April 1, 1966. Graduated from Detroit Country Day in 1984, where he excelled in basketball and baseball and earned the honor of being named 1st Team Jewish High School All-American in basketball. Selected UPI Class C 1st Team All-State in basketball and Academic All-State. Four-time winner of John Hannett Varsity Basketball Award. In baseball, selected to the All-State Dream Team. Received a basketball scholarship to Creighton University and later played at Arizona State. Selected as an alternate on the 1989 United States silver medal-winning Maccabi Men’s Basketball Team. Inducted 2010
Larry Sherman
Born in Detroit in 1952. Holds Oak Park High School basketball record by scoring 51 points in one game in 1969 (prior to 3-point shot). Set Oak Park High School basketball record by scoring 893 points in career. Averaged more than 22 points per game in 1969 and 1970. Captain and named to All-Conference teams in basketball (1969 and 1970), baseball (1970), and cross country (1970). Named to basketball All-Area SE Michigan team, All-County Class A team and Detroit Free Press/Detroit News Honorable Mention All-Suburban team, All-Metro team and All-State team in 1969 and 1970. Recruited by 55 colleges. Outstanding student. Played basketball at Harvard from 1970 to 1973. Inducted 2010
2011
Mitch Albom
Born May 23, 1958, Passaic, NJ. Internationally-renowned best-selling author, journalist, screenwriter, playwright, radio and television broadcaster, and philanthropist. Books sold more than 28 million worldwide and were made into Emmy Award-winning and critically-acclaimed television movies. Earned BA in 1979 at Brandeis; Master’s degrees from Columbia in 1983. After years as a musician, turned to writing. Moved to Detroit in 1985; became nationally-lauded sports columnist at the Detroit Free Press and one of best-known media figures in the city’s history. Founded multiple charities, many in metro Detroit, and operates an orphanage in Haiti. Was 2010 recipient of Red Smith Award for lifetime achievement from the Associated Press Sports Editors.Inducted 2011
Irving “Pro” Boim
Born July 2, 1921 in Chicago. Nicknamed “Pro” at five years old as he was great imitator of baseball-stars. High school pitching ace. Attended U of M. Had great curve and live fastball. Number-one pitcher in sophomore year, winning Big Ten Championship. In 1942 had 1.40 ERA and joined the Navy. While in training, pitched against many big-league stars, striking out Ted Williams twice in a row. Following college, enjoyed nine-year career in minor leagues with Pittsburgh, Chicago White Sox, and Cincinnati where he played with or against 56 Big Leaguers. Due to war, lost chance in Majors. His greatest achievement: inspiring thousands of kids in baseball camps and as an elementary physical education teacher for 44 years. Inducted 2011, Died 2013
Bruce Seid
Born in Detroit in 1961. Graduated from Oak Park in 1980. A 1980 High School All-American baseball player and two-time First Team All-State Shortstop. In 1979, at 17 years old, starred on Adray Appliance of the Detroit Adray Baseball League, batting .400 while helping Appliance to a 2nd place finish in the AAABA tournament. Foregoing an MSU scholarship, signed professionally in 1980 as a 4th round draft choice with the Chicago Cubs and was a rookie league All-Star. His career path stayed in baseball as a Major League scout for the San Diego Padres (1992-96), Pittsburgh Pirates (1997), and Milwaukee Brewers (1998 to present) where he has also been an executive as their Amateur Scouting Director since 2009. Inducted 2011, Died 2014
Rick Seid
Born July 10, 1953. Oak Park High School graduate in 1971, lettering in basketball, baseball and football in sophomore, junior and senior years. Basketball: All-Conference and All-State Honorable Mention. Captained State quarterfinals team senior year. Baseball: catcher earned All-Conference, All-County twice and All-State honors. 1971 draftee of Boston Red Sox; declined offer. Freshman letterman in baseball at U of M; transferred to MSU and captained the team and selected All-Big Ten in 1975 and 1976. Led Larcos of Detroit Adray League to National Championship runner-ups in 1972 and Championship in 1974. Professional baseball career average of .312. Selected Topps Player of the Month August 1976. Texas Lone Star league home run leader 1977. Inducted 2011
Henry “Hank” Wineman
Born in Detroit February 16, 1970. Graduated from Berkley High School in 1988, excelling in football, earning Team Co-MVP, First Team All-League, First Team All-Oakland County and First Team All-Area honors. Graduated from Albion College in 1992, also excelling at football. 1990-1991: Team MVP; All-League MIAA. 1991: League MVP; First Team Kodak All-American; and NCAA Division III Statistical Champion/Rushing. Albion College Individual (2007) and Team (1989–1991) Hall of Fame Inductee. Albion College Football records: 1988-1991 – Most Rushing Attempts/Career – 583. 1990-1991: Most Consecutive 100-Yard Rushing Games (18). 1991: Most Rushing Attempts/Season – 307 and Most Yards Rushing Season – 1,629 (9 Games).Inducted 2011
2012
Lynda Goldstein Benit
Won awards for swimming from age 10 through college. Won Eastern Michigan University athletic scholarship, earning All Mid-American Conference honors in 1994 and Top 10 All-Time in four events. Broke oldest EMU record in 400 individual medley in 1994. Swam in 1986 and 1990 Maccabi Games, winning gold and two silver medals. High school honors: State champion 500 freestyle and first team in two All-American events. Held State record for 14 years in 500 freestyle for 12-year-olds; also swam in World’s National Age Group Top 5 in 200 and 500 freestyle and Top 10 in individual medley. Still holds four individual and one relay record at West Bloomfield High School. Inducted 2012
Herb Brown
Former Detroit Pistons Head Coach. Internationally recognized coach, teacher, clinician, author, and mentor. Forty years coaching at highest levels. Career head coach winning percentage .625; Detroit, 79-81 regular season record with two playoff appearances. First Pistons coach to lead team to second round of playoffs. A seventeen-year NBA assistant. Head coach: eight years college; 15 Puerto Rico; six Spain; one Israel. Five team championships, six-time Coach of the Year. Three NBA Championship Rings. Gold medal as head coach 2001 Maccabi Games. U.S Jewish Hall of Fame Inductee, Hank Greenberg Sportsmanship Award, U.S. Sports for Israel Board. Volunteer: NBA Basketball Without Borders, Peace Players International, Israel Friendship Games. Inducted 2012
Daniel Cohen
Graduated from North Farmington High School in 1980, earning All-Conference and All-State Honorable Mention in football and track. All-Metro North Football. All-Oakland County and Regional Champ in 100-meter dash. Set school record in 100-meter dash (10.84). Attended Eastern Michigan University on a football scholarship from 1980-1984. Four-year letterman, three-year starting linebacker, recording 170 tackles. Defensive captain 1983. Two-time First Team All Mid-American Conference Academic (1983-1984). Honorable Mention All-MAC Academic (1982). Juris Doctor from George Washington University. Partner at Pilchak Cohen & Tice, P.C., specializing in labor law and employment litigation. Inducted 2012
Storm Kirschenbaum
First Jewish News High School Athlete of the Year (1996) inducted into Michigan Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. In 1996, broke Groves High School baseball records: batting average .518; 10 home runs; 54 RBIs; 33 stolen bases; 44 hits; and 37 runs. 1996 USA Today All-American baseball player; First Team Region IV ABCA; East-West Classic All-Star Team; MHSBCA Dream Team; First Team: All-State, All-Metro, All-County, All-Area and Team MVP. Daily Tribune Player of the Year and Jewish News Male High School Athlete of the Year. First player in 15 years from Michigan to receive athletic scholarship to #1 ranked University of Florida (.312 BA), transferred to Division 1 Long Island University – C.W. Post, awarded ECAC Medal Award, .306 BA. MLBPA certified player agent and sports attorney. Inducted 2012
Jamie Silverstein
2006 U.S. Olympian in Ice Dancing. A six-time U.S. National medalist and Junior World Champion. Competed (with Justin Pekarek), winning 1999 World Junior Championships and U.S. Junior National Championships. With Pekarek, represented U.S. in 2000 World Championships and was 2000 U.S. National Silver Medalist. Won bronze medal (with Ryan O’Meara) at 2006 U.S. Championships and competed in the 2006 Olympics. Trained at the Detroit Skating Club and Artic Edge in Canton. Graduated magna cum laude from Cornell. Skated with the Ice Theatre of New York in 2011-2012. Inducted 2012
2013
Dan Arnold
Attended Central High from 1939-1942 lettering in track, baseball, basketball, and selected to the All-City basketball team. In 1943, attended Detroit Tech and was selected by sports writers and coaches to the All-City and All-State collegiate basketball teams. Continued his career in the Air Force, an All-Star for the 397th Champion Bombardment Group but returned to Detroit after the war playing one more year in 1945 at Detroit Tech breaking the all-time scoring record. In 1946, was the starting point guard at Wayne State University. From 1947-1948, he played for the Jewish War Veterans Bale Post team and JCC basketball team, leading the JCC to win the Midwest regional tournament and selected to the All-Star tournament team in Canton, Ohio.Inducted 2013
Debbie Michelson Fuger
Began playing tennis at age seven and first played competitively at ten. Four-time league champion from 1989–1992 at Washington University. Her career record in singles was 106-10 (.914) and in doubles 77-21 (.786), attaining All-American honors. Debbie ended her tennis career with an NCAA Division III women’s singles ranking of number three. Received the school’s W. Alfred Hayes Award for leadership, Outstanding Student Athlete, John M. Olin School of Business and Savitt Award for Sportsmanship in Tennis. Inducted into the Washington University Hall of Fame in 1997 and in 2013 was named to the University Athletic Association’s 25th Anniversary Women’s Tennis Team. Inducted 2013
Martin Wolfe
Received nine varsity letters from West Bloomfield High School between 1984-1987, earning All-Conference honors in soccer, basketball, and baseball. Attended Indiana University on a baseball scholarship and lettered 1989-1992. Defensive player of the year in 1991 and team captain in 1992. Led Hoosiers to a Big Ten Conference tournament in 1991 and was first team All-Big Ten in 1992. Was 13th in the nation with a batting average of .421, 19th in the nation in slugging percentage with a .760 and ranked in the top 20 in the nation in doubles in 1992. When inducted he still was 10 in Big Ten Conference games in hits, runs, doubles, and runs batted in. Inducted 2013
Eli Zaret
Detroit’s first FM sportscaster in 1974 at WABX. In 1979, became America’s first nationally syndicated FM sportscaster for ABC-FM network. Began TV career at WDIV in Detroit in 1980 and hosted America’s first locally produced half-hour Major League Baseball pregame show. Leaving Detroit in 1986, Zaret became lead sports anchor at WABC-TV in New York. Back in Detroit from 1988-1995, Zaret was lead sports anchor at WJBK and hosted the Emmy-winning “Eli and Denny” show from 1997-2004. Created and hosted the “Lockeroom” with Kirk Gibson and Gary Danielson on WDIV, Fox Sports Detroit, and WXYT. Between 2005-2011, was Detroit Pistons TV host and sideline reporter. Author of three books and winner of five Michigan TV Emmy Awards. Inducted 2013
Rick Zussman
Raised in Huntington Woods. He was a four-year varsity tennis player, two years at Royal Oak Dondero, and in his final two years earned state honors while attending Cranbrook High School. At University of Iowa lettered in varsity tennis from 1974-1977 playing number one singles and doubles in 1976 and 1977. He was also Iowa Co-Captain and named to the All-Big Ten tennis team. In 1977, was Iowa Big Ten Medal of Honor Winner for attaining “the greatest proficiency in athletics and scholastic work.” Coached the Detroit Maccabi In-Line Hockey Team, served as Vice Chairman of Athletics for the 2008 JCC Maccabi Games, and Co-Chair for the 2014 JCC Maccabi Games in Detroit. Inducted 2013
2014
Alan Davis
Attended Berkley High School from 1973-1976, receiving eight varsity letters in football, basketball, and track. In 1978, attended Michigan State University on a football scholarship. Football honors included: Big Ten Co-Champions, First Team Academic All-American, First Team Academic All-Big Ten, and Scholar Athlete of the Year (one of 25 outstanding seniors). As a certified orthopedic surgeon with a sub-specialization fellowship in foot and ankle surgery and sports medicine, he has served as the team physician for USA Hockey, Cleveland Ballet, Baldwin Wallace College, and Cleveland Junior Barons Hockey Team. Co-inventor and board member of Trazer Technologies, a company that has developed computer software, hardware and integrated programming tools for fitness and physical therapy rehabilitation, concussion evaluation and return-to-play criteria, and high-level training. Has also been in more than 20 triathlons. Inducted 2014
Alfred “Obbie” Friedman (z’l)
Alfred “Obbie” Friedman attended Central High School and was one of the city’s most valuable “Cagers.” A frequent leader in scoring with a single game high of 33 points in his senior year. Named to All-City First Team and All-Metro League First Team in 1946. After serving two years in the U.S. armed forces, returned to the court for the Highland Park Junior College Panthers. As an ace on the Bale Post squad, scored 32 points in a single game and led the team to a Recreation League Class A Championship. He was a star pitcher on the JCC fast pitch softball team, helping his team advance to the second round in the City Recreation League’s Class B playoffs. Inducted 2014
Jerry Greenberg
Played basketball for Central High School in Detroit from 1949-1952. Won the West Side Public School Championship in 1952. Selected to Detroit Free Press All-City and All-State teams. Recruited by Wayne State University in fall 1952 and earned three varsity letters. In 1956, the team won 17 games and lost one. The team was invited to play in the Division 1 NCAA tournament, finishing in the final 16. Graduated in 1956 with a degree in health and physical education. Inducted 2014, Died 2016
Erin Konheim Mandras
Played soccer for West Bloomfield High School 1999-2002, earning All-District and All-League honors having scored 90 goals with 22 assists. Played for the Olympic Development Program Region II Team, Michigan Hawks, and Vardar. In 2002, named Jewish News Female High School Athlete. From 2002-2005, Erin was a four-year starter at Michigan State, helping compile a 48-28-7 record and garnering two NCAA Women’s Soccer College Cup appearances. As a senior captain, MSU had a 12-6-5 record and the first NCAA Tournament win in program history. Was an undergraduate assistant coach for MSU and then hired as assistant coach at Towson University, helping lead the Tigers to their first winning season. In 2008, helped lead Loyola University to a MAAC regular season title with an undefeated conference record, reaching the NCAA College Cup. In second season with the program, Loyola won the MAAC Championship title. Holds USSF “A” Coaching License, runs soccer clinics for the JCC of Baltimore and the Erin Konheim Soccer Academy there. Inducted 2014
Stuart Schwartz
Attended Andover High School and was part of the first lacrosse team (“Team I”) before transferring to Kimball Union Academy High School. High school honors include: Male Athlete of the Year, Lacrosse Academic All-American and All-Northern New England, Lacrosse and Football All-Lakes Region and Most Valuable Player, Men’s Ice Hockey and Lacrosse Team Captain. Played Division 1 lacrosse for Duke University. Honored with the Atlantic Coast Conference All-Academic Team Award, Blue Devil Award (Outstanding Player for the Maryland, Drexel, and Butler Games), and Face-Off magazine All-American. In 2001, honored with the Eric Tyler Hardy Defensive Player of the Year award, NCAA Academic All-American and All-American honors, and Inside Lacrosse Duke University Men’s Lacrosse All-Decade Team. After college, was one of the 40 players selected to compete in the first Major League Lacrosse draft. An attorney at Clark Hill, his heart remained in the game as the Cranbrook High School Lacrosse (2013 State Champions) Assistant Varsity Coach. Inducted 2014
2015
Mark Cahn
Rode in his first sanctioned bicycle race when he was 14-years-old. In 1976, rode to a fourth-place finish in the Junior National Time Trial Championships. With the help of the Diablo Wheelmen and Peninsula Velo Cycling Clubs, and the support of his family, learned about bicycle racing strategies, tactics, and skills training techniques, and earned first wins in mass start road races. After studying at the University of California, Berkeley, progressed from regional to national races. Competed in the 11-day Coors International Bicycle Classic in Colorado. In 1983, headed to Ghent, Belgium, and entered his first international event. Encouraged by his early results in Belgium, joined a French team racing with CC Wasquehal in northern France, racing regional events and amateur classics as an Elite Category 1 Amateur. In 1984, competed in national-level events throughout the U.S. and then qualified for and competed in the Olympic Trials races in Spokane, Washington. Joined the Cadieux Bicycle Club in the late 1980s after moving to Michigan. President of Team O2/Cadieux Bicycle Club and proud member of Team Alex. Inducted 2015
Dale Katz
Began playing football when he was eight-years-old with the NFWB Vikings with his father as coach. Attended North Farmington and Farmington Harrison high schools, and high school in Huntington Beach Marina, California. While playing at Farmington Harrison, helped lead the football team to win the 1988 Michigan State Championship. While in high school, earned the title, “Mr. Harrison,” the strongest student athlete All-Area First Team, All-League First Team, and McCabe’s Fab 50. During his senior year of high school, accepted a full-ride scholarship to the University of Cincinnati, where he attended from 1989-1993, lettering in football for three years. As a senior, he started at right offensive tackle. Inducted 2015
Karen Green Simon
Began playing competitive racquetball at age 34. Her titles include: U.S. Open Champion (2015); International Masters Champion (2012); National Senior Games Champion (2009 and 2015); Huntsman World Senior Games Champion (2012); U.S. Open Silver Medalist (2006) and Bronze Medalist (2012); State Champion in Michigan (2000, 2004-2006 and Runner-up in Women’s Open 2004-2005); Michigan Senior Olympics Champion (2014); Regional Champion (2006); Florida State Champion (2008-2009 and 2012-2015); New York Empire State Senior Games Champion (2008 and 2010-2014). Ektelon-sponsored player since 1994. Racquetball Association of Michigan Board Member (2003-2006). Maccabi Games Coach (1998). Holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from University of Michigan and three master’s degrees from Wayne State University in music, counseling and educational administration.Inducted 2015
2016
Mat Ishbia
President and CEO of United Shore, one of the fastest-growing independent mortgage lenders in the country and parent company of United Wholesale Mortgage. Played varsity basketball for Seaholm High School from 1996 to1998, when he was named Jewish News Athlete of the Year. As a point guard at Michigan State University from 1998 to 2002, participated in three Final Four appearances, won three Big Ten championships and helped the Spartans win the 2000 NCAA national championship. Was the President’s Award Winner for Best GPA for all senior male athletes and was a three-time Academic All-Big Ten from 2000 to 2002. Also, was an assistant coach, alongside Coach Tom Izzo, during his fifth year of college. Named one of the “Most Influential Mortgage Professionals Under 40;” National Mortgage Professional magazine named him “25 Most Connected Mortgage Professionals;” Crain’s Detroit Business “40 Under 40;” DBusiness magazine “30 in Their Thirties;” “Rising Star” and Vanguard Award winner by HousingWire; and “Most Valuable Professional in Michigan” by Corp! magazine. Inducted 2016.
Kimberly Spaulding Shaw
A three-year varsity softball player and district champion for Farmington Harrison High School. Won three Michigan Amateur Hockey Association State Championships with Metro Flyers Honeybaked Girls Travel Hockey from 1996-1999. Earned a Presidential Academic Scholarship to Wayne State University and a spot on the Division 1 Women’s Hockey team playing 125 games throughout her four-year college career. In 2003-2004, an AWCHA National Scholar Athlete, WCHA All-Academic team, named to the Women’s College Hockey All-America First Team by the Jewish Sports Review, and Wayne State Female Student Athlete of the Year Award. In 2005, received the Howard A. Donnelly Award, given in recognition for outstanding contributions to the university and to the community in the areas of student activities, leadership and service. In August 2005, began teaching in the Farmington Public School District. Also coached youth hockey teams. Continued to play competitive hockey and has won two national championships in 2006 and 2016 at the Women’s Senior B level. Inducted 2016.
Michael “Stoney” Stone
Born in Philadelphia, and from an early age knew he wanted to become a sportscaster doing play by play of games. Attended American University in Washington, D.C., where he was the radio voice of the AU Eagle basketball team from 1978-1980. Upon graduation, hired as a production assistant for NBC-WRC. In 1984-1985 was a producer for the Sunday evening, “George Michael Sports Machine,” airing on many NBC-TV stations. In 1986, sports anchor Bernie Smilovitz brought him to Detroit to produce sports at WDIV. Won an Emmy for producing the “Best of Bernie’s Bloopers.” Also produced and co-hosted the “Sunday Sports Albom” with Mitch Albom on WLLZ (1988-1994). In July 1994, he joined Detroit’s first all-sports station WDFN to co-host the afternoon drive show and then the long-time successful “Stoney and Wojo Show.” During that time the Stoney and Wojo Radiothon raised more than a million dollars for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Michigan. Moved to 97.1 The Ticket to be a part of the “Stoney and Bill Show.” Worked as a co-anchor and then contributor on the Sunday sports on WXYZ from 1997-2014. Inducted 2016.
Daniel “Donny” Wohl
Began playing basketball at a young age for the Hillel Hawks in 1996. Played in four Maccabi games, was a starting player for the gold-medal winning USA Maccabi team in the 1999 Pan Am Games in Mexico City, and played for the USA open team in the Israel Maccabi games in 2005 winning a bronze medal. Earned a varsity letter at West Bloomfield High School as a freshman playing all four years. Averaged 18 points and 10 assists per game during his senior year. Selected All-League, All-District, All-OAA in 2001. Recruited to play at Binghamton University in its first year as a Division 1 program. Transferred to University of Michigan in 2002. He was an Academic All-Big Ten Award winner 2004-2005, and three-time Bodnar Academic Achievement Award winner. At Michigan started five games his senior year and has the second most steals (6) in a game in Michigan history versus Penn State. Also named the Steve Grote Hustle Award Winner his senior year. Graduated Cum Laude in 2005. Donny was a member of the 2004 NIT Championship team. Inducted 2016.
2017
Rob Alvin
For Rob, high school and college sports were a numbers game: eight varsity letters in high school for basketball – he had a career high of 38 points in one memorable game as a senior – baseball, and track and field; six varsity letters in college for basketball and baseball – setting school records with 12 home runs and a .773 slugging percentage as a senior. Rob is also a noted tennis player, having led his team to winning the 1998 Michigan State USTA team tennis title and winning the sectional tournament, both while playing for Peachtree Racquet Club in Sterling Heights. He also played Class A baseball between 1989 and 1995 in the AABC Stan Musial League. The Birmingham Groves and Oakland University graduate claims notable achievements on the links, too, with two holes-in-one. Rob, a sales rep for Prestige Energy Products, a Grand Rapids-based commercial LED lighting company, volunteers with Meals on Wheels and contributes to the JCC and Red Cross blood donation drives. Inducted 2017.
Sheila Johansson Cohen
Sheila discovered a love of basketball as a sixth grader in her rural Tennessee hometown. Developing her skills in the following years, she entered high school with what would become her signature moves: the fall away jump shot and the drop step from the post. Sheila led her team to win the 1977 Tennessee AAA State Championship and was unanimously selected as the MVP of the tournament. In 1978 she represented the U.S. in basketball at the Pan Am Games in Mexico City, before finishing her high school career as a three-time All American. Sheila played basketball for two years at Vanderbilt University before she was sidelined by a devastating knee injury. Upon graduation, Sheila and her husband, Andy Cohen, relocated to Detroit where she began teaching and coaching. At Cranbrook Schools, coached basketball, served as Associate Athletic Director, and taught middle school and high school mathematics. Sheila, currently teaching sixth grade math in Cranbrook Boys’ Middle School, is recognized for innovative teaching techniques, spearheads anti-bullying programs, and sits on the school’s diversity committee. In 2011 she was presented Cranbrook’s Excellence in Teaching Award. Inducted 2017.
William Fagenson
During his years at Detroit’s Central High School, Bill was an avid – and recognized – athlete: he earned an honorable mention as an All City baseball player, led the varsity basketball team to the city championship, and ran cross-country. He also played basketball at the former JCC on Woodward. Bill’s athletic prowess continued at Wayne State University where he was the baseball team’s leading hitter his junior and senior years. Bill taught physical education in Detroit public schools and at UCLA. Bill returned to Detroit where he continued to teach physical education before earning a master’s degree in 1968 at which time he became a guidance counselor. During the 1960s, Bill continued to teach and mentor young athletes. He founded Trailblazer Day Camp, a sports camp for boys, with the goal of teaching and developing their athletic skills in baseball, basketball, soccer, swimming, and fishing. Bill also worked at the Jewish Community Center on Meyers Avenue and on 10 Mile supervising the athletic programs for children and young adults. Inducted 2017, Died 2018
Jack Levitt
Jack is a New York City native – the Bronx, specifically – but has called Detroit home since 1940. A graduate of Central High School, Jack attended University of Michigan. Upon graduation in 1952 he enlisted in the United States Navy during which time he married his wife of 55 years, Margaret. Jack was honorably discharged in 1954, moved to Livonia where he and Margaret raised three sons, and he began coaching little league baseball and basketball teams. He was a high school counselor after earning his master’s degree from U of M in 1956. He also owned a commercial driving school. The Bingham Farms resident was known as “Legs” while an undergraduate at Michigan where he played basketball during his sophomore, junior and senior years. Inducted 2017, Died 2019
Noah Ruden
Noah attended Andover (now Bloomfield Hills) High School and upon graduation played hockey for the Dubuque, Iowa, Fighting Saints and Kearney, Nebraska, Tri-City Storm of the United States Hockey League, before being recruited by University of Michigan. Noah began playing in Ann Arbor in 2002 and by the time he graduated with his degree in communication and media studies had appeared in 41 games, ending with a career 2.74 GAA and .907 SV%. He earned All-Tournament Team honors for his performance in the 2004 Great Lakes Invitational, was on two CCHA regular season championship teams, two CCHA playoff championship teams, four NCAA Tournament appearances, one Frozen Four team, and was the recipient of both All-CCHA and All-Big Ten Academic honors. Noah is Midwest Regional Sales Manager at Alphatec Spine, a medical technology company that develops spinal fusion products. Inducted 2017.
2018
Ken Daniels
Ken began calling Detroit Red Wings games for Fox Sports Detroit in 1997. And since that time he’s earned recognition from fans and peers: in 2002, Detroit Free Press readers named him best play-by-play announcer; in 2006, he won his first Michigan Emmy, and in 2003 and 2010, he was named Michigan Sportscaster of the Year by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association. Also in 2010, he received the Detroit Sports Media’s Ty Tyson Award for excellence in Sports Broadcasting. And in spring 2013 Ken was named Top Sportscaster in Michigan in a Detroit Free Press poll.
Ken’s career began in Canada in 1989 while at CJCL Radio, and in 1991 became a host of Hockey Night in Canada on CBC-TV.
In 2017, Ken published his autobiography, “If These Walls Could Talk – Detroit Red Wings.” He’s working on a second book, this one focusing on America’s opioid epidemic. The impetus for the book is the death of Ken’s son, Jamie, who died from an overdose in 2016. Ken co-founded the Jamie Daniels Foundation dedicated to ending the shame and stigma surrounding drug addiction.
Todd Gesund
Todd attended North Farmington High School where he began playing football as a sophomore, and by his senior year was a two-way starter playing wide receiver and defensive back and was selected team MVP. He was recognized with multiple awards including All-Area First Team, All-Lakes Division First Team, All-Metro North First Team, and All-State Honorable Mention.
Todd accepted a football scholarship to Grand Valley where he was a four-year letterman, and three-year starter. He set GV records of most receiving yards in a quarter with 121 (1990) and receptions in a single season with 49 (1992). He was a co-captain on the 1992 Conference Championship team and was selected All-Conference First Team. He finished fifth all-time in Grand Valley receiving with 85 receptions, 1297 yards, 15.26 yards per reception, and eight touchdowns.
Todd served on the Board of Trustees and various young adult committees at Temple Israel, and is involved with football by running and assisting in youth programs, as well as working with young athletes on their fitness, proper diet and nutrition.
Dana Jacobson
Earlier this year Dana completed her fourth season as sideline reporter for The NCAA Tournament, and earlier this summer CBS News named her a new co-host of “CBS This Morning Saturday.”
Dana graduated from U of M and began her career in Traverse City. She also worked in Sacramento as a weekend sports anchor before landing a job at ESPN as a studio anchor and then became an anchor on “SportsCenter.” She also continued in sports radio, filling in on “Mike and Mike” on ESPN Radio.
At ESPN she was part of the team that revamped “Cold Pizza,” building the show into one known for its interviews and off beat approach. Dana also became anchor of “XCenter” before returning to “SportsCenter” in 2012.
In January 2013 Dana helped launch CBS Sports Radio as one of its morning show hosts. She also joined CBS Sports TV working on the “Jim Rome Show” along with “Inside College Football & Basketball” on CBS Sports Network. In 2015 Dana gave up radio to return to TV full time with CBS “Sports and Spike.” As the host of “PBC on Spike” beginning in 2015 Dana is believed to be the first female boxing host for a nationally televised program.
Michael Jacobson
Mike grew up playing football and tennis, and led Berkley High’s football team as a senior year to its first winning season in 20 years. Piling up 879 yards in total offense, he rushed for 554 yards and caught 21 passes for 325 yards. Mike earned All-League, All-Area, All-County and Honorable Mention All-State.
Carrying his football mentality onto the tennis court allowed Mike to achieve a national tennis ranking. At Berkley, he played number number-one singles all four years. He had a 47-1 record in dual meets, and in Southeastern Michigan League meets, he compiled a 30-0 dual meet record and won all four league tournaments he played in.
Mike continued tennis at University of Colorado where he played number-one singles and doubles, and earned CU Athlete of the Week and Big Eight Player of the Week honors.
Since that time, Mike has continued his success on the courts of Franklin Hills, winning the Club Singles Championship 12 times.
Mike supports Federation and serves as Co-Chair for the Care House Gala, which helps families in Southeastern Michigan families cope with abuse.
Albert “Al” James Nagler (Z”L))
Al grew up playing sports in Elmira, New York. In 1928 he enrolled at University of Detroit were he was student manager of the varsity football team and, as a member of the Alpha Epsilon Pi, organized intramural sports competitions.
Al was also U of D’s Athletic Department publicity director. And that’s when he got his big break. In 1931, WJBK was in the market to hire a football announcer. Leading candidates auditioned by calling the play by play of a U of D scrimmage game. Al was not an applicant but had the keys to the stadium press box, so he was called to open it and decided to hang around while the six aspirants auditioned. Intrigued, he asked to try out. He ended up getting the job.
That chance encounter led to a 29-year sports media career as play-by-play broadcaster and sports director at WJBK and WXYZ.
He was the radio play by play announcer for the Detroit Red Wings starting in the 1935-36 season until the 1938-1939 season after which the Red Wings suspended all broadcasts until 1948. At that time Red Wing radio broadcasts resumed, and listeners heard directly from rinkside during the playoffs. The following year he began broadcasting regular season games on WJBK until 1960. In 1960-61 broadcasts moved to WJR for one year and all games were broadcast with Nagler and Budd Lynch splitting play by play duties. The Red Wings televised Sunday home games from 1949-50 through 1959-60. The first six years were simulcasts with Nagler radio commentary.
Al was a member of the Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association and served as its president from 1951 – 1952. He was subsequently honored as a DSBA lifetime honorary member. Al finished his career as publicity director for the Windsor Raceway. He died in Windsor in May 1988.
Arn Tellem
Arn is Vice Chairman of Palace Sports & Entertainment, which includes the Detroit Pistons. He joined PS&E in 2015 following a distinguished career as one of the top player agents in sports. He has broad responsibility for business strategy, planning and development. In 2017 he served as chief negotiator in the Piston’s return to Detroit.
He spearheaded numerous community partnerships earning national recognition. Committed to making an impact in Detroit, the club’s community relations efforts were recognized by ESPN as a finalist for its 2016 Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year.
Arn began representing professional players in the early 1980s. In 1989, he founded Tellem & Associates, which was acquired in 1999 by SFX Entertainment. Arn served as CEO of SFX Sports until he joined Wasserman Media Group. He joined the Detroit Pistons following nine years there.
Arn’s accolades include: in 2004 and 2005 he was the only NBA player agent named as one of The Sporting News’ “50 Most Influential People in Sports Business;” in 2006 Sports Business Journal named him the Most Influential Agent in Sports; and in 2013, Forbes ranked him the most powerful agent in basketball.
2019
Ronni Bernstein
Ronni is head coach of the University of Michigan women’s tennis team, a position she’s held since 2007. She’s led U of M to eight Big Ten Championships, three Big Ten Tournament titles, eight NCAA Sweet 16 berths and the quarterfinals of the 2016 NCAA Tournament. In 12 seasons as head coach she’s amassed a record of 261-77 to push her overall 22-year coaching mark to 426-146. In Big Ten action, she has a 122-6 record along with six perfect seasons. She’s one of two coaches in school history to amass at least 200 wins and is close to becoming the program’s all-time winningest coach.
She’s also led Michigan to nine 20-win seasons, including a program-best 26 wins in 2015 as the Wolverines swept the Big Ten regular season and tournament titles while advancing to the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals. Her teams have appeared in each of the last 12 NCAA Tournaments.
Ronni arrived at Michigan after a decorated 10-year head coaching career at Florida International University in Miami from 1997-2007. The winningest and longest-tenured head coach in the history of FIU’s women’s tennis program, she compiled a career record of 165-71 as leader of the Golden Panthers.
She was a four-time All-American tennis player at Miami, winning the 1986 NCAA doubles championship and earning NCAA Senior Player of the Year honors in 1988. After receiving a business management degree from Miami in 1988, she played professionally on the WTA Tour for two years, achieving career-high world rankings of No. 30 in doubles and No. 78 in singles in 1989. Ronni was a two-time Virginia Slims of Puerto Rico doubles champion (1987, ‘89), a Virginia Slims of Aptos, Calif., doubles champion (1988) and a Virginia Slims of Wichita, Kan., singles semifinalist (1989) as a pro. She captured the 1984 Florida state singles championship as a senior at Miami Sunset Senior High School, and was also the 1984 USTA Florida State Closed singles champion. She was ranked No. 1 in the state during her last year of juniors.
Larry Brown
With a basketball resume that includes 39 years of coaching at the collegiate or professional level, enshrinement into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame’s Class of 2002, three ABA Coach of the Year awards, 2001 NBA Coach of the Year honors, and an NCAA Championship in 1988, Larry is well known to Detroit sports fans for having guided the 2003-04 Detroit Pistons to the NBA Championship in his first year as head coach.
He became the first coach to win a NCAA and NBA Championship and the 12th coach in NBA history to win an NBA title in his first season. Larry coached an NBA record eight different teams to the NBA playoffs and ranks fourth among all-time NBA coaches in playoff wins (100). He won his 900th career NBA game in 2004-05, becoming the seventh coach in NBA history to win 900 games. He also became the second Pistons coach to lead the organization to back-to-back NBA Finals appearances. Larry joined the Pistons after six seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Larry has posted a winning record in 31 of his 39 seasons as a professional head coach or collegiate head coach and has compiled a 1,504-1,072 career record. In 27 NBA seasons he has a record of 1098-904, ranking eighth all-time among NBA coaches.
Hustle and defense are trademarks of a Larry Brown-coached team, and they’ve finished first in the division six times (1976-77 and 1977-78 with Denver; 1989-90 and 1990-91 with San Antonio; 1994-95 with Indiana and 2000-01 with Philadelphia).
Prior to joining the Sixers, Larry spent four seasons as head coach of the Indiana Pacers and compiled a record of 190-138. The Pacers’ all-time winningest NBA coach, he took the team to the playoffs three times, including the Eastern Conference Finals twice. Before joining Indiana, Larry was head coach for the Los Angeles Clippers, San Antonio Spurs, New Jersey Nets and Denver Nuggets, who he helped transition from the ABA to the NBA in 1976-77. After a two-year stint with the New Jersey Nets (1981-83), Larry spent the next five seasons as head coach at the University of Kansas, where he won the national championship in 1988.
As a coach, Larry draws on his playing days where he was a member of the 1964 gold medal U.S. Olympic basketball team. In 2000, Larry was assistant coach for the gold medal-winning men’s basketball team at the Sydney Olympic Games. He is the only U.S. male to both play and coach in the Olympics. Serving as head coach of Team USA at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, he led the team to a bronze medal. The three-time ABA All-Star holds the ABA record with 23 assists in a game and was Most Valuable Player of the ABA All-Star Game in 1968.
Ken Granader
Ken was always interested in sports. In his younger days he played basketball, golf, tennis, baseball, football and ran track. He even bowled. As he got older, football became his passion. Ken is a 1981 graduate of Birmingham Groves High School where he was a three-time letter winner and a two-year/2-way starter in football and a two-time letter winner in track making All-League in track his junior year (800 Relay and Shotput) and senior year (800 relay). He was All-League, All-Area, All-County and AP All-State in football as a senior. During Ken’s sophomore year Groves finished as MSAA Champs and finished the regular season at 9-0, and made the Michigan High School Playoffs for the first time that year. In Ken’s senior year Groves finished as MSAA Co-Champs. Also that year he was a starting halfback, linebacker, returned punts and kickoffs and was the team’s placekicker. He led the 1980 team in tackles and set a school record with a 71-yard punt return for a touchdown. He was both the strongest (bench pressing 305 pounds) and fastest (running the 40-yard in 4.65 seconds) on the team. In summer 1981, Ken played in Michigan’s first High School All-Star game starting as a strong safety and punt returner on the East team. He had 12 tackles in the game, which the East won 6-3.
After graduating from Groves, Ken attended the University of Toledo where he was a three time letter winner in football and played on two MAC Championship teams in1981 and 1984. He was a part-time starter and excelled on Special Teams while at Toledo. During his career at Toledo, Ken had more than 60 tackles and two fumble recoveries. He was selected to the 1983 and 1984 Jewish All-American teams and was Honorable Mention Academic All-MAC in 1983 and 1st Team Academic All-MAC in 1984.
Arnie Kander
Arnie is entering his 25th season with the Detroit Pistons, serving as a consultant to the club’s medical staff for the second consecutive year. From 1992-2015, Arnie was a vital part of the team’s medical staff, serving as strength and conditioning coach. His unique rehabilitation methods and recovery approach made him one of the NBA’s top sports medicine and rehabilitation experts.
His duties included the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries. An innovator in the field of injury prevention, sports rehab and physical conditioning field, Arnie is renowned in the professional sports world for his methods of application. He’s designed recovery and workout programs that have proven to be quite successful. He’s received credit for expediting the development of Detroit’s young players while maximizing the conditioning and overall health of the team’s veteran group. His methods emphasize stretching, core strength and utilization of strengthening muscle groups associated with specific basketball movements. While working for the Pistons, Arnie consulted and developed conditioning programs for some of the Detroit area’s finest professional and amateur athletes. A 1987 graduate in physical therapy from Wayne State University, Arnie submitted several research projects on isokinetic strength testing, jump training and developing a jump platform system.
Arnie began his career as the sports coordinator at Crittenton Fitness Institute and then moved to Rochester Knee and Sports Therapy where he worked as a staff therapist. He began his association with the Pistons while working at Rochester Knee and Sports. He left the Pistons organization to join former head coach Flip Saunders at the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2015 and oversaw the sports medicine program for two seasons.
Larry Sherry(Z’L)
Larry was a right-handed relief pitcher mostly with the Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Dodgers. He was most valuable player of the 1959 World Series when the Dodgers won its first championship after relocating from Brooklyn.
In 1961 he was fifth in the National League in saves (15) and games finished (34), and ninth in games pitched (53). In 1962 he was seventh in saves (11) and games pitched (58) Larry, a native of Los Angeles, played with the Tigers 1965 – 1967, and played with Houston in 1967. He spent his final season playing for the California Angels in 1968.
He ended his career with a record of 53-44 with an ERA of 3.67, 606 strikeouts and 82 saves. Following retirement, Larry coached the Dodgers’ minor league club, and was the Pittsburgh Pirates coach in 1977 – 1978. He was a member of Angels’ coaching staff in 1979 – 1980.
Larry and his brother Norm, Dodgers’ catcher 1959 – 1962, became first all-Jewish batter in major league history. Larry died in 2006.
Cale Wassermann
Cale is head coach of the Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville men’s soccer team. Most recently he was recruiting coordinator and assistant coach at MSU for four seasons. He previously served as head coach for the Under-18 USA Youth team for Maccabi USA, and as associate head coach for Detroit City FC in the NPSL. Cale graduated from Saginaw Valley where he played soccer four years. His coaching career began as a volunteer for Saginaw in 2006.
While at Michigan State, the Spartans reached the 2018 NCAA College Cup, falling to Akron in the national semifinals. During his time in East Lansing, Cale coached two All-America selections, 13 All-Region picks and 17 All-Big Ten performers. The Spartans had the Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2016, the Goalkeeper of the Year in 2017 and the 2018 Midfielder of the Year.
Prior to Michigan State, Cale served as the head coach at Division II Saginaw Valley State University, where he guided the program to its first three NCAA Tournament appearances in 2011, 2012 and 2014. He led the Cardinals to the National Championship game in 2012 when the team set the program single-season record with 18 wins. Cale was recognized as the 2012 NSCAA National Coach of the Year. He also earned recognition as the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Coach of the Year in 2011 and 2012. He amassed a five-year record of 64-23-15.
Cale spent the 2008 and 2009 seasons as an assistant coach at Lewis University of the Division II Great Lakes Valley Conference. The Flyers made two NCAA Tournament appearances including advancing to the Final Four in 2009 and the Regional Championship match in 2008. He also previously has served as the head coach for the Under-18 USA Youth team for Maccabi USA and as the associate head coach for Detroit City FC in the NPSL.
2022
J. J. Modell
Jeremy (J.J.) Modell played Varsity golf and baseball at Cranbrook Kingswood High School, captaining both teams his senior year. He attended Brown University, in Providence, Rhode Island, where he was a four-year letter winner for the men’s Varsity golf team, two year co-captain, and earned First Team All-New England, First Team All-Ivy League, and Academic All-Ivy League Honors. Post college, while focusing on his career and family, he continued to play competitive amateur golf, qualifying for over twenty combined Michigan Amateurs, Michigan Opens and GAM Championships, and advancing to the quarterfinals of the Michigan Amateur in 2003. In addition, he was won nine club championships at Franklin Hills Country Club and recently won a Gold Medal with the U.S. Masters Men’s Golf Team in the World Maccabiah Games in Ceasarea, Israel.
David Ginsberg
Dave Ginsberg was born in Detroit, grew up in Flint and attended Grand Blanc High School, where he competed in basketball all four years. His junior season led to the 1963 Big 9 Championship. He went on to Central Michigan University, became a part of the basketball program as a student assistant, and was a member of three conference Championships (1965, 1966, and 1967). After graduating in 1968 from CMU, Ginsberg began a career in education that lasted until 2005 when he retired as the Principal of Flint Southwestern Academy in Flint, Michigan. Over six decades Ginsberg was involved with basketball and education at every level. He taught and coached at Leslie, Battle Creek Central, Grand Rapids Union, Swartz Creek, Flint Central, Traverse City St. Francis, Traverse City West, and Northport high schools, and had a 16-year stint as an assistant coach at Central Michigan University beginning in 1975. At CMU Dave assisted with four Mid-American Conference titles (1975, 1977, 1979, and 1987), and had the honor of attending the 1988 USA Olympic Trials in Colorado Springs as a representative of the CMU program and in support of one of CMU’s players, Dan Majerle, who went on to become the captain and leading scorer for the 1988 United States Olympic Team in Seoul, Korea.
Carrie Rose Goldman
Carrie Rose Goldman, born and raised in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, was a member of the Lahser High School Varsity tennis team playing the number one singles position in each of the three years she participated. She won the Class A State Singles Title in her junior and senior years and was the runner-up in her freshman year. From ages twelve to eighteen, she competed in United States Tennis Association (USTA) tennis tournaments across the country achieving a USTA national singles and doubles rankings in each of those years. As a sixteen-year-old, she reached a USTA national ranking of number 42 in singles and number 23 in doubles. In 1996, she was presented with the Hoxie Memorial Award by the USTA Southeastern Michigan District (for sportsmanship and accomplishments on and off the tennis court) and she was a nominee for the Michigan High School Athlete of the Year Award. Carrie earned an athletic scholarship to Boston University where she competed on the women’s tennis team for four years in both singles and doubles and served as co-captain of the team her senior year. She earned All-Conference Honors all four of her collegiate years and her team earned a berth to the Division I NCAA Championships in her sophomore, junior and senior years.
Michael Rosenberg
Michael Rosenberg is a senior writer for Sports Illustrated. Before joining SI, he spent 13 years at the Detroit Free Press, eight as a columnist, receiving national recognition for his work. He has also written for some of the top papers in the country, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune and Philadelphia Inquiry. His work was featured in the 2005 edition of “The Best American Sports Writing” Michael has written several phenomenal stories, but one sticks out from the others. A 1994 sports page from the Michigan Daily talks about a Michigan football player who hurt his knee, but the player was not concerned about his knee, for he cried before every game because he thought the team might lose. Michael writes “he does not cry when his friends are killed but he cries only because he thought the team might lose. Michael learned an important lesson from this early in his career. “It’s not just getting the facts right, but that you’re taking the proper care” He has covered virtually every major sporting event, including nine Super Bowls and eight Olympics, and is the author of the critically acclaimed “War As They Knew It: Woody Hayes, Bo Schembechler and America in a Time of Unrest.” He is a graduate of the University of Michigan, where he served as editor in chief of The Michigan Daily.
Adam Steinberg
Adam is in his ninth season coaching the University of Michigan Wolverines tennis program. The ITA Midwest Coach of the Year, Adam comes off a historic season with the Wolverines in 2022, as the squad finished with a 25-4 record which stands as the third most wins in program history. The season culminated with a Big Ten Tournament Championship, its first since 1996.The Big Ten Coach of the Year in 2021, Adam led Michigan to the Big ten East Championship and an NCAA tournament appearance.
Adam arrived in Ann Arbor after a successful 13-year head coaching tenure with Pepperdine University (2022-2014) where he delivered a national championship in 2006. The 2006 Intercollegiate Tennis Association National Coach of the Year and a seven-time West Coach Conference Coach of the Year he guided Pepperdine to 10 NCAA Tournament appearances, including five Sweet 16 appearances, one Elite Eight trip and two Final Four appearances.
A native of New York, Adam attended Penn State University and served a captain of the tennis team his senior season. He began his coaching career St. Johns University from 1989-95.
2023
Dr. Jim Relle
Jim competed on the varsity tennis and swim teams at Upper Canada College High School in Toronto. He started rowing as a sophomore in 1978, winning silver and bronze at the National High School Championships that year. He went on to represent Canada at the National Team level from 1979 through 1984, competing in multiple world championships and winning Bronze at the World Championships in Munich, Germany in 1981, Silver at the World Cup in Lucerne Switzerland in 1983 and Gold at the prestigious Royal Henley Regatta in England in 1981. In 1983 he earned the stroke seat in Harvard’s Heavyweight Varsity 8 and won the Harvard-Yale Boat Race.
Over his rowing career, Jim won over 50 races including 8 national championships. In 1984, Jim was selected to the Olympic Rowing Team, representing Canada at Los Angeles Games in the Men’s Pair. In 2017, he was once again bitten by the rowing bug. He raced in the Head of The Charles Regatta- the world’s largest- in Boston with his son Daniel and also reunited with his high school teammates (all Olympians) to race in the master’s Eight-man crew. He now competes annually in the international regatta, racing under the banner of the Canadian National Alumni Rowing Team.
Randall Blau
Randall (Randy) Blau was born in Detroit and grew up in Huntington Woods before moving to Bloomfield Hills at the age of 10. He played four years of Varsity Tennis at Bloomfield Hills Lahser High School, captaining the team his Senior year. During high school, he received All League and All Region honors playing number one and two singles. Randy attended Kalamazoo College where he was recruited by and played for legendary tennis coach George Acker. During his collegiate career, he played both singles and doubles, never losing a MIAA League match. Randy was a member of three of Kalamazoo College’s record seven Division Ill National Championships in 1991, 1992, and 1993. He was named team Captain and received all MIAA Academic honors during his senior year. Randy was a tennis professional at several Oakland County tennis and country clubs and continued to play in local and regional Pro-Am events prior to attending law school and starting his career and family.Robert Silverman
From a young age, Robert Silverman demonstrated an exceptional commitment to sports, beginning in 1975 with swimming with the “Silver Streaks Swim Club” and diving. During high school, he received recognition in many competitions, including multiple All-America titles and championships. In 1987, he joined Kimball Divers and the University of Michigan Varsity Swimming and Diving Team where he was a four-year letterman.
His collegiate journey bore numerous accomplishments, including four-time recognition as a letterman in diving, contributing to the University of Michigan’s four-time Big Ten Championship titles, and earning the honor of N.C.A.A. Division I All-America in diving. After competing 17 times at US National competitions, his diving career ultimately brought him within reach of the Olympic dream, as he became a contender for the 1992 U.S. Olympic Team in the 10-meter tower diving category, solidifying his position among the nation’s elite divers competing 17 times in U.S. National Diving Championships, earning the silver medal in the 1991 NCAA Division 1 National Championship on the 10-meter platform, and achieving N.C.A.A. Division I All-America recognition.
Robert also makes a concerted effort to engage with and give back to the members of his community. As the founder of the Avondale Soccer Club, he nurtured emerging soccer talent from the grassroots level.
Leon Grundstein
Leon Grundstein lived in Detroit until his family moved to Pittsburgh Pennsylvania where he attended high school. Competing in the Greater Pittsburgh High School Championships, Leon placed fifth and fourth in the 100 yd and 220 yd dash during his sophomore and Junior years. During his senior year, he won bronze medals in both of his events. Leon was team captain and Most Valuable Player his senior year.
At the 1968 outdoor Big Ten Track and Field Championships representing the University of Michigan Leon won silver medals in the 220-yard dash and the 4 X 100 relay. He won a bronze medal in the 300-yard dash at the 1968 Big Ten Indoor Championships, running a time that ranked him 9th in the nation. In the 1969 Big Ten Indoor Track and Field Championships he finished 4th in the 300-yard dash and finished 5th in the 220-yard dash at the Outdoor Championships. In 1969, at the Central Collegiate Championship, Grundstein finished 7th in the 220-yard dash with a time that qualified him to run in the NCAA and USTFF national championships. Upon graduation, Leon had the second fastest time in the University of Michigan track history for the 300-yard dash and third fastest time for the 220-yard dash.
Leon competed in the 1969 and 1973 World Maccabiah Games as a member of the United States Track Team. In 1969 he finished 4th in the 200-meter dash and won a gold medal in the 4X400-meter relay. In 1973, as team co-captain, Leon won a bronze medal in the 400-meter dash and ran anchor leg on the gold medal winning 4X400-meter relay team.
2024
Nathan Edmunds
Nathan Edmunds showed an aptitude for sports when he was barely out of kindergarten; he was an avid Little Leaguer and Pee Wee Soccer player. But from the time he first swung a racquet at a tennis ball, around age eight, he knew that tennis was the sport for him. By age 12, he was playing matches and tournaments throughout the Midwest. Nathan attended Cranbrook Kingswood for four years, where he played varsity tennis and ran cross country. He played #1 singles, playing in the state finals three consecutive seasons. During his high school career, he continued to play ITA junior tournaments on a local, regional, and national level, and he graduated in 2002 with a 3.9 grade point average. It was at Middlebury College that Nathan’s sports achievements peaked. He played #1 – #3 singles all four years and was a three-time All-American. He was co-captain of the team for two years and was named three times to the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) all-conference team. In his sophomore year, 2004, he led the Middlebury Panthers to their first ever Division III National Championships, playing #1 singles. The Panthers made it to the national semi-finals in all four years of Nathan’s tenure, and he was ranked as high as the #6 Division III singles player in the country during that time span. In 2006, Nathan won the national Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s Arthur Ashe Award for Leadership and Sportsmanship, recognizing his achievements on and off the court. That same year, he won the 2006 NCAA Sportsmanship Award, which is given annually to one male and one female student in each of the three college divisions, for sportsmanship and ethical behavior in all intercollegiate athletics. He taught classes for seven years at The Field School in Washington, D.C., then at The Overlake School in Redmond, WA for nine years. Nathan coached tennis and basketball at both schools, leading the Overlake girl’s tennis team to the WIAA 1A state title in 2018. He currently serves as the Director of Auxiliary Programs at The Park School in Baltimore, Maryland. Nathan’s passion for tennis has shifted in adulthood to long-distance running, as he has completed 13 half-marathons, seven marathons, and two ultramarathons. Inducted 2024
Eric Fishman
Eric Fishman grew up in Southfield, and went to school at Cranbrook Kingswood, where he was a 4-year varsity basketball player from 2005-2009. He served as the captain of the Varsity Basketball Team his senior year and is the all-time leading scorer in Cranbrook Kingswood basketball history. After his senior season he was named Conference MVP, All-Oakland County, “BCAM’s Best” Class B 1st team All-State, and a Jewish News Michigan High School Athlete of the Year.
Eric went on to play basketball at Kalamazoo College. He was a 4-year starter, as well as a captain his senior year. He holds the single-game records for most assists and 3-point field goals made, and in 2013 he became the 21st player in school history to score over 1,000 career points. While at Kalamazoo College Eric met his now wife Samantha, who was a fellow student-athlete, a member of the women’s soccer team. Today they live in Beverly Hills, MI with their dog Caymus.
Following graduation Eric signed with an agent and traveled to Israel where he participated in workouts for multiple professional basketball teams. After considering contract offers, he decided to return to the United States to begin his business career.
After his return he stayed active in the basketball community, serving as an assistant coach with the Cranbrook Kingswood Boys Varsity Basketball Team for 7 years from 2013-2020, helping to lead the team to multiple winning seasons including an undefeated conference season and Catholic League title in 2018.
Eric is a third-generation inductee into the Michigan Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, joining his grandfather Herman, and his father Steve, inducted in 1987 and 2003 respectively. Currently, Eric works as an attorney at Miller Canfield in Detroit, MI specializing in the areas of commercial litigation and white-collar criminal defense. Inducted 2024
Jacob Friedman
Was born in Detroit and grew up in West Bloomfield, MI. Growing up, he played AAA hockey for Belle Tire, Honey Baked, and Victory Honda. Hie represented USA in international competition while in middle school where he played in Italy, France, and Switzerland capturing a gold medal. He transferred to Cranbrook in his sophomore year of high school to play hockey where he won two state championships as well as receiving first team all-state, all area, and all county honors his senior year. He finished top 5 in the state in scoring, was selected to the all-Michigan team and was also named Most Valuable Player from Cranbrook Kingswood in 2008.
He then pursued his goals by playing junior hockey. He played in Wyandotte for the Motor City Machine in the NAHL where he was selected as an alternate for the all-star game. Following that, he lived in Boston for two years where he played for the South Shore Kings of the EJHL. He was captain of the team and finished his second season sixth in the league in scoring with all-league honors and an all-star selection. He would spend his summers training and running hockey camps for young boys and girls in the Metro Detroit area.
While playing in Boston, he committed to play in the Big10 for Penn State University and was Penn State’s first commitment of their first varsity hockey team and start of the BIG10. He has played in some of the most famous arenas in the world including Madison Square Garden, Joe Louis, Wells Fargo Center, as well as an outdoor game at Citizens Bank Park. He was a scholar athlete as a member of the Dean’s list all four years of college. In 2013 he represented USA in the Maccabiah Games in Israel where he won a silver medal and led the team scoring. Inducted 2024
Nicole Meisner
Nicole Meisner started running track in 2004 in 7th Grade at Norup Middle School in Oak Park, MI. Her first race was the 70m dash. Nicole ran so fast and was so far ahead that she thought she ran too far. At that moment, a track star was born. She went on to compete in high school and college. Nicole won several gold medals in the 100m, 200m, 400m, and the relays at the JCC Maccabi Games. She also medaled in the Maccabiah Games in Israel in 2009 and 2013. Nicole still holds Top 10 records at the University of Detroit Mercy in the 60m, 100m, 200m, and relays. At the time of her graduation, 7.75 was the second-best time in school history for the 60m dash. Nicole still holds the University of Detroit Titan Stadium Record in the 200m (since 2011). Inducted 2024
Eric Weberman
Eric Weberman was raised in Farmington Hills, Michigan. He attended North Farmington High School where he was a four-year starter and two-year Captain on the Men’s Varsity Soccer team. He was named Most Valuable Player during his sophomore, junior and senior year seasons. As a senior, he earned First-Team All-State honors and was voted to the Michigan High School Soccer Dream Team, which was comprised of the top 11 boys’ soccer players in the state.
Growing up, Eric played competitively for the Novi Jaguars and Michigan Wolves. As a member and Captain of the Michigan Wolves, Eric was part of multiple state championship runs, winning two Most Valuable Player awards. In 2006, his Michigan Wolves team won the U.S. Youth Soccer Regional Championships and in 2008-2009 season, the team was crowned the U.S. Developmental Academy National Champion. The season culminated with an invitation to the U-18 U.S. Men’s National team training camp.
Following high school graduation, Eric attended Northwestern University, where he was a four-year letter winner and team Captain for the Men’s Varsity Soccer team. He was a key contributor during Northwestern’s back-to-back BIG 10 Championship runs, the first in school history, and was voted to the 2014 BIG 10 Men’s Soccer All-Tournament team. While at Northwestern, Eric and the Men’s Soccer team made four consecutive NCAA tournament appearances, including a trip to the Sweet 16. In the summer of 2013, Eric represented the United States while playing on Team U.S.A. at the 2013 Maccabiah Games, winning the first-ever gold medal in Men’s Soccer, scoring a key goal in the Gold Medal game. Inducted 2024
After graduating from Northwestern University in 2015, Eric moved to Boston, Massachusetts to attend Boston University School of Law. Following graduation in 2018, Eric began his professional career in Boston working for an international law firm, where he met his wife, Sarah and relocated to Ann Arbor, Michigan. Inducted 2024