By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
A new class will be enshrined forever into the St. Joseph Area Sports Hall of Fame next month, a class that St. Joseph Sports Commission Executive Director Brett Esely says has a lot of depth
Esely points out this class has a legendary broadcaster, the Hall of Fame’s first professional boxer, a personal trainer and power lifter, and two NFL athletes
Esely says one name that stands out is the late Don Tabor
“That stint that he coached at Benton in the early 90’s, considering that team was in the state playoffs all four of those years he coached the only 11-man football team to ever play in a state championship game from St. Joseph,” Esely tells KFEQmunnity host Brent Martin. “Which I think is significant, given all seven state title games are here in St. Joe this year.”
Tabor is also a member of the Missouri Coaches Hall of Fame and the Bishop LeBlond Athletics Hall of Fame.
Esely says another name on this year’s list honors St. Joseph’s rich history of men’s fast pitch softball; one thing he felt was a focus when launching the Hall of Fame.
Esely says when it comes to the best in St. Joseph, Chris Miljavac, is about as close as it gets
“Chris, his resume speaks for itself, he’s going into the USA Softball National Hall of Fame this fall, so just a very, very accomplished player,” Esely says. “And again on that very short list in a city that’s got a ton of history of men’s fastpitch softball, it’s an honor to have him as part of this class.”
Esely says this class, like all of the Hall of Fame classes, is very deep touching many aspects of sport, from broadcasting to the first boxer, to golf, to coaching.
A ceremony will be held August 24th at the Stoney Creek Hotel and Conference Center to honor the class of nine individuals, one team, and a special Olympian of the year.
Esely says the crowds that come out to these ceremonies are always outstanding
“We’ve had a couple of standing room only crowds, as I look at this class, I think there will be a ton of interest, and that’s why I say don’t wait,” Esely explains. “I set our capacity at 500 in that room, that’s probably an overflow room, but at the same time I like to make sure family, friends, VIP’s, people that have a tie to this class have an opportunity and so don’t delay get those tickets now.”
Tickets to this year’s ceremony can be purchased online or by visiting the Sports commission offices at the St. Joseph Convention and Visitors Bureau.
They cost $25 dollars.
You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.
