Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame to Induct Class of 2021 on October 13

Award Winning Male and Female Athletes, Championship Coaches, and Beloved Members of the Media Among 12 Inductees

The Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame 12-member class of 2021 will officially be enshrined into the Hall of Fame on Wednesday, October 13 at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center. This year marks the 31st annual induction and will return to an in-person celebration for the inductees and their guests.

Order Tickets Here

2021 GBSHOF Inductees

• John Beilein – Niagara County product with over 800 collegiate victories and two NCAA national championship appearances.
• John Butler (deceased) – Vice-President and General Manager of the Buffalo Bills whose teams went to the playoffs in five of his eight seasons at the helm.
• Angela Coniglio (deceased) – pioneer in girls’ sports, star goalie on boys’ ice hockey teams.
• Deborah Dourlain – State record swimmer from Orchard Park HS, who went on to earn Division I and Division III All-American honors.
• Gerry Gentner (deceased) – Three-time state championship softball coach at Williamsville South, whose favorite saying was, “Just Show Up”.
• Julie Gentner Murphy – Multi-sport all-Western New Yorker from Williamsville South, who went onto become a Division III All-American field hockey star and a championship softball coach.
• Ron Moscati – Niagara Falls product considered one of the nation’s premier sports photographers while employed at the Buffalo Courier Express and Buffalo News.
• Mike Robitaille – Former Buffalo Bison and Buffalo Sabre and much beloved broadcaster.
• William Russell (deceased) – Youth hockey founder, director, coach and administrator out of Bennett High School.
• Lamar Smith – Elite sprinter out of Bennett High School, who holds the two oldest boys track records in Western New York. Was an All-American at Alabama and Buffalo State.
• Pete Tonsoline – Multi-sport local high school coach and administrator with more than 1500 wins.
• Kyle Williams – Six-time Pro Bowler during his 13 seasons as a defensive tackle with the Buffalo Bills. (Unable to attend in person)

The Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame honors those who have enhanced our lives with their performances and commitment to Western New York sports, an effort surpassed only by the positive impressions they have left on our athletes of tomorrow.

Additionally, before the induction ceremony begins this year’s Dick Gallagher Legacy Award and the 2021 Spotlight Team will be recognized. Wally Huckno, famed Jamestown High School Football Coach and 2005 Greater Buffalo Sport Hall of Fame inductee will receive the 2021 Dick Gallagher Legacy Award. The 2021 Spotlight Team will recognize the 1958 UB Bulls Football Team that finished 8-1 and won Lambert Cup, however declined invitation to Tangerine Bowl when bowl committee denied two black members from competing.

Ticket & Sponsorship Info

Additional note for those planning on attending in person:
Per the updated guidance from the Erie County Department of Health, masks, or facial coverings (no neck gators, handkerchiefs or masks that do not cover your mouth/nose) will be required for all guests, vendors and staff regardless of vaccination status, when at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center.