36th Annual GBSHOF Dinner and Auction Ticket Information
The 36th Annual Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame Dinner and Auction will be held September 24 at the Buffalo Convention Center in Buffalo, NY.
The Convention Center will open at 5 pm for beverages and hors d’oeuvres, with dinner served promptly at 7 pm and the awards ceremony scheduled for 8 pm.
Tickets are now available by accessing the Eventbrite.
- Tickets purchased between June 3 and August 19 are $130 per person or $1300 for a table of 10.
- Tickets purchased between August 20 and September 10 are priced at $150 per person or $1500 for a table of 10.
- Purchasing tickets or tables prior to September 10 assures your seat will be in your inductee’s section.
- General Admission seats ($150 per person/$1500 per table) will be on sale from September 11 to September 21 and will be located in the rear of the ballroom.
- All sales close at 11:59 p.m., September 21.
- Tickets will be distributed One Week prior to the event. Guests (not general admission) will receive an email confirmation including inductee table assignment and parking information. This email is your ticket and once entering the convention center, kindly go up the escalator and enjoy the event.
- General Admission tickets purchased between September 11 and 21will receive a confirmation e-mail from Eventbrite. That will be your admission into the event.
Thank you very much for your purchase. Your supports assists the GBSHOF Board in funding our Amateur Sports Development Fund (ASDF).
Meet the Class of 2026:
- John Bennett (Veteran) – Rowing coach of 4x national champions, 6x Royal Canadian Henley and 1956 Olympic four-oared crew.
- Corey Graham – Turner Carroll High School standout and 12-year NFL veteran and Super Bowl Champion.
- Al Huetter (Veteran) (Veteran) – Legendary NFL and AFL official – recognized as a top sports official in football, basketball, and track in WNY.
- Jim Huetter – Nationally recognized cyclist, respected NCAA and NBA official and NFL officiating team member.
- Sid Jamieson – Long-time men’s lacrosse coach at Bucknell and Two-time Man of the Year in college lacrosse.
- Jake Kaminski – Two-time Olympic silver medalist, and World Cup gold medalist in archery.
- Duke McGuire – Former MLB first round draft pick and long-time ambassador of baseball for the Buffalo Bisons.
- Helen Nikiel – Professional softball pitcher, and championship softball coach at Buffalo State.
- Jean Porter (Veteran) – Nine-time Roller Derby all-star and member of the Roller Derby Hall of Fame.
- Bob Rosen – Winningest high school hockey coach in New York State history and two-time NYS Coach of Year.
- Lester Rowe – Buffalo News Basketball Co-Player of Year and 4-year starter for West Virginia.
- Justin Strzelczyk (Veteran) – 9-year NFL veteran and member of the AFC Champion Pittsburgh Steelers.
Please note that the “veteran” designation indicates that the inductee is being honored posthumously.
2026 Team of Distinction
1981 ECC Lady Kats Softball Team
The GBSHOF will also announce the 2026 Dick Gallagher Award recipient and the annual monetary awards from the Amateur Sports Development Fund (ASDF) will be announced on June 3. The ASDF has now distributed more than $200,000 to amateur athletes, teams and organizations seeking financial assistance to foster the pursuit of a higher level of athletic achievement.
For more information, please contact Tom Burns at 716-535-0693, or by e-mail at tburns@niagara.edu.
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