Huntington, NY - February 14, 2019 - Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci, Chris R. Vaccaro, Executive Director of the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame, and inductee James C. Metzger were joined by Town Clerk Jo-Ann Raia and Tax Receiver Jillian Guthman to unveil the Huntington installation of the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame exhibit honoring Huntington athletes, coaches and residents on the first floor of the west wing at Huntington Town Hall on Thursday, February 7.
“It gives me a sense of pride to have Huntington Town Hall as the host of this exhibit honoring Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame inductees with a connection to the Town of Huntington,” said Supervisor Lupinacci. “These exceptional players, coaches and residents, including former professional athletes, have made substantial contributions in the fields of professional and amateur sports and serve as an inspiration to Huntington's young aspiring athletes.”
The exhibit pays tribute to the inductees of the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame who have a connection to the Town of Huntington, either as a player, coach or resident, including former professional athletes Emerson Boozer, Gerry Cooney, Clark Gillies, Tom Gugliotta, John Nitti, Wesley Walker and Sara Whalen. Individual photos of more than 30 inductees now hang on the first floor of the building located at 100 Main Street in Huntington.
Chris R. Vaccaro, Executive Director of the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame, stated: “The Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame continues to grow and spread its legacy across our great county. We’re so proud to partner with the Town of Huntington and bring this exhibit to life, honoring these legendary men and women on an intimate level with their hometown and region.”
The exhibit also features a collage honoring the life and career of James C. Metzger, a native of the Town of Huntington who was inducted to the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame in 2014. Metzger, a philanthropist and business executive, is a Half Hollow Hills alumnus who played football, basketball and lacrosse, and left his mark on the lacrosse field as an All-American both in high school and in college at Hofstra University. He is also the founder and CEO of The Whitmore Group located in Garden City.
James C. Metzger stated: “I am very appreciative and excited to be included in this wonderful new exhibit and I extend my thanks to the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame and the Town of Huntington for recognizing my athletic career along with my business and philanthropic contributions to Long Island. It is a wonderful honor to be featured in an exhibit that places the spotlight on so many talented local people, including American hero Ray Enners, who are connected to amateur and professional athletics.”
Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame inductees featured in the exhibit: Stephen Bowen, Charles Boccia, Emerson Boozer, Don Buckley, Jill Byers, Fred Cambria, Rich Castellano, Tony Cerullo, Bob Chipman, Tom Combs, Gerry Cooney, Bill Edwards, Ray Enners, Melvin Fowler, Fred Fusaro, Lou Giani, Clark Gillies, Frank Gugliotta, Tom Gugliotta, Kim Gwydir, Bob Herzog, Bill Ketcham, Jim Metzger, John Nitti, Ed Norton, Carol Rose, Cathy Vayianos, Wesley Walker, Sara Whalen and Ann Marie Wyckoff-Bagshaw.
This is the third satellite exhibit established by the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame. There are also ones located at Long Island MacArthur Airport and Bethpage Ballpark, the home of the Long Island Ducks.
About the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame
The Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame is a non-profit established in 1990 to honor outstanding people, living or deceased, who have gained prominence and made substantial contributions on behalf of themselves and Suffolk County, in the fields of professional and amateur sports. There have been more than 300 individuals inducted to the Hall over the last 29 years and the organization will celebrate its 2019 induction on May 16, 2019. Learn more at SuffolkSportsHOF.com.