Welcome to the Class of 2024
Super Bowl and Stanley Cup champions, athletes, administrators and communicators set to join the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame
Class of 2024 announced at Dave & Adam’s Card World on June 19
BUFFALO, NY – The Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame introduced its 12-member class of 2024, on Wednesday, June 19 at Dave and Adams at 8075 Sheridan Drive in Williamsville. The 2024 class will officially be inducted on November 12 at the annual GBSHOF dinner, presented by Dave and Adam’s.
This event will mark the 34th class to be inducted into the Hall of Fame since its inception in 1991 and brings total membership to 400.
The 2024 Hall of Fame Class includes (full bios below):
- Kevin Cadle (veteran) – High school basketball star, legendary international and Olympic basketball coach, and sports broadcaster.
- Vic Carucci – Nationally recognized reporter, with 40 plus years covering the NFL.
- Norm Foster (veteran) – Legendary high school coach from Iroquois High School and Amherst High School.
- Warren Gelman – Three-sport high school athlete and longtime WNY youth hockey administrator.
- Rob Gronkowski – 4-time Super Bowl Champion and 5-time Pro Bowl selection; NFL tight end.
- Rick Lancellotti – Minor League Baseball standout with Bisons, and premier youth baseball instructor in WNY.
- Bridget Niland – Standout track athlete and college sports administrator.
- Brooks Orpik – Boston College hockey standout and two-time Stanley Cup Champion.
- Cecelie “Ces” Owens – Holder of numerous Buffalo State hoops records – founder of Goals. Integrity. Respect. Leadership. Sports. (G.I.R.L.S.) Foundation
- Walt Stefani – Volleyball legend in WNY as player, coach and administrator.
- Ed Van Tine (veteran) – Trailblazer, known as the “Godfather of lacrosse in Western New York.”
- Paul Wieland (veteran) – Groundbreaking communications professional for the Buffalo Sabres.
Please note that the “veteran” designation indicates that the inductee is being honored posthumously.
Teams of Distinction
In addition to the inductee class, the St. Bonaventure men’s basketball teams from 1967-70 will be honored as the 2024 Team of Distinction at the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in November.
Amateur Sports Development Fund (ASDF)
The GBSHOF also announced its annual monetary awards from the Amateur Sports Development Fund (ASDF). 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.
The 2024 ASDF awards represent support for hundreds of amateur athletes in neighborhoods and communities across the City of Buffalo and Erie County. This year’s recipients are:
- Amherst Youth Basketball
- Anthony Delisanti
- Boys & Girls Club of Holland
- DeSales Catholic School
- Willie Hutch Jones Educational and Sports Programs
- PGA Reach WNY
- Police Athletic League of Buffalo
- Springville Little League
- St. Benedicts School
- Touching Bases Softball League
- WNY Special Hockey Assn
For more information on the announcement event, please contact Tom Burns at 716-535-0693, or by e-mail at tburns@niagara.edu.