Volume 1, Issue 1  Fall 2000
INSIDE THIS ISSUE

New Athletes Inducted
into Hall of Fame
Honorary Chairperson Sparky Anderson: "This Hall of Fame is bigger than the one I was recently inducted into."
Sparky Anderson
Welcomes 2000
Hall Of Fame
Honorees

Former Detroit Tiger Manager Sparky Anderson and a crowd of nearly 500 supporters were on hand to honor six outstanding individuals at the second annual Athletes with Disabilities Hall of Fame Awards Ceremony held September 28, 2000, at Penna's of Sterling Heights, Michigan.

Cheryl Angelelli accepts the 2000 Female Athlete of the Year Award and her Hall of Fame plaque from Sparky Anderson.

Anderson served as Honorary Chairperson for the event which saw the induction of Cheryl Angelelli (Roseville), Ray Brown (North Branch), Paul Ponchillia, Ph. D. (Kalamazoo) and Darlene Quinlan (White Lake) into the Hall of Fame. Sandy Dorey (Clawson) of Oakland County Parks was presented with this year's Lifetime Achievement Award for her significant contributions to Michigan's athletes with disabilities. Angelelli also accepted the first Women's Athlete of the Year Award while Livonia's Bob Calderon was named recipient of the initial Male Athlete of the Year honor.

"The Hall of Fame is a great means for increasing awareness across the country to people with disabilities," said Hall of Fame President, A.J. Filippis.

"When I think of people with the kind of courage and strength to survive and enjoy a lifetime when they don't have the fortunate things I have... this hall of fame is bigger than the one I was recently inducted to," said former Detroit Tigers' Manager Sparky Anderson. Anderson served as Honorary Chairperson for the dinner and was recently inducted into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame.

WOMC Radio's Mark "Doc" Andrews once again served as Master of Ceremonies for the awards dinner.

The awards ceremony, which was emceed by WOMC Radio's Mark "Doc" Andrews, also included a brief presentation by Michigan State Senator Art Miller who introduced a resolution officially recognizing the Hall of Fame and its contributions to the disabled community.

The Athletes with Disabilities Hall of Fame, founded by Wright & Filippis and presented by Unisys, is a non-profit organization whose mission is to recognize outstanding athletes with disabilities while educating the general public about the capabilities of all individuals. All proceeds from this event will be used to help future funding of the Hall of Fame as well as to educate the public about sports for the disabled.

Sparky Anderson presents Darlene Quinlan with her Hall of Fame plaque.
The Hall of Fame demonstrates that with determination and a positive attitude, any goal is attainable. Inductee Darlene Quinlan, a four-time paralympian who was injured in a car accident at the age of eight said, " I hope that this shows other athletes with disabilities that they can accomplish anything."

Hall of Fame founder Tony Filippis, Sr. sums it up best - "I'll put these athletes up against anyone."



State Senator Art Miller (right), who introduced a senate resolution recognizing the Hall of Fame, makes a special presentation to Hall of Fame founder Anthony Filippis Sr. (left) and President A.J. Filippis (center).


Sparky Anderson signs an autograph for one of the nearly 500 people who attended the 2000 Hall of Fame ceremony.




2000 Inductees

Cheryl Angelelli
Ray Brown
Paul Ponchillia, Ph.D.
Darlene Quinlan
Lifetime Acheivement Award
Sandy Dorey
Female Athlete of the Year
Cheryl Angelelli
Male Athlete of the Year
Bob Calderon