Dinner Location Changed for 2009 Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame Event

The Board of Directors for the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame has decided to change venues for the 2009 induction dinner. The event, which has been held since 1996 at HSBC Arena, will move to the Hyatt Regency in downtown Buffalo.

“It was a difficult decision and one we took very seriously,” said newly-elected board president Brian Cavanaugh, “however the opportunities provided to us from the Hyatt were too difficult to overlook."

Communication with HSBC Arena was maintained throughout the process. The GBSHOF still houses its exhibit at the Arena and Cavanaugh expects that to stay in place for the foreseeable future.

“The Executive Committee had a very positive and frank discussion with Larry Quinn about the dinner and the exhibit. We all agreed that the dinner was a very difficult thing to manage at the Arena and a change in format could breathe new life into the event.

“As for the exhibit, it’s an integral part of the Arena and we are appreciative to Larry and the Sabres for allowing us to maintain its location.”

The dinner is held annually in late October and regularly draws around 900 patrons. The Hyatt can hold approximately 700 for the event, which means the GBSHOF will need to make some adjustments to its program.

“We have been talking for some time about reducing the size of the induction class in order to shorten the length of the dinner, and this gives us the chance to make a smooth transition,” continued Cavanaugh. “Instead of inducting 11 members into the 2009 class, we will be selecting eight. That should still allow us to fill the Hyatt and shorten the program, as well.

The 2009 class is expected to be announced in June. A date for the 19th annual dinner has yet to be determined. Ticket costs are expected to remain the same - $85.00 per ticket and $750.00 for a table of 10.

In addition to Cavanaugh’s appointment to replace Chuck Frawley as president, the GBSHOF Board of Directors also approved Melissa Gearhart, Denny Lynch and Therese Forton as Vice Presidents. Bill Crowe is the Secretary and Frawley moves to Treasurer.