The Long Island Sports Hall of Fame was established in 1984 to honor sports figures who lived or played on

Long Island, New York Long Island is a densely populated island in the southeastern region of the U.S. state of New York, part of the New York metropolitan area. With over 8 million people, Long Island is the most populous island in the United States and the 18th ...

. The physical location was a small display on the lower level of the now "dark and dormant"

Nassau Coliseum Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum (or simply the Nassau Coliseum) is a multi-purpose indoor arena in Uniondale, New York, east of New York City. The Long Island venue is approximately east of the eastern limits of the New York City Borough of ...

through at least 1994. Among the first inductees chosen were American footballers John Schmitt,

Jim Brown James Nathaniel Brown (born February 17, 1936) is a former American football player, sports analyst and actor. He played as a fullback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL) from 1957 through 1965. Considered to be one ...

and

Ed Danowski Edward Frank Danowski (September 30, 1911 – February 1, 1997) was an American football player who played quarterback and halfback in the National Football League (NFL). He grew up in Aquebogue, his father, Anton, was a Polish immigrant. Foot ...

, basketball's Julius Erving, polo's Tom Hitchcock, Yankee pitcher Whitey Ford, ice hockey's

Mike Bossy Michael Dean Bossy (January 22, 1957April 15, 2022) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player with the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League. He spent his entire NHL career, which lasted from 1977 to 1987, with the Islanders, and ...

, Dodger catcher Roy Campanella and bowler

Andy Varipapa Andy Varipapa (March 31, 1891 – August 25, 1984) was a professional and trick bowler. He became famous around the world for his trick bowling shots. Life and career Varipapa was born Andrea Varipapa in Carfizzi, a small Arbëreshë ''comu ...

. The first induction was on November 30, 1984. Early induction ceremonies were formal events, with a 1987 report that a "black-tied crowd will be out in force." The Long Island Sports Hall of Fame is now defunct. Other members include: *

Vinny Testaverde Vincent Frank Testaverde Sr. (; born November 13, 1963) is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 21 seasons. He played college football at Miami, where he was an All-American and won the Hei ...

(1987) * Charlie Jarzombek * Don Dunphy (1986) *

Woody Stephens Woody Stephens (September 1, 1913 – August 22, 1998) was an American Thoroughbred horse racing Hall of Fame trainer. Biography Born Woodford Cefis Stephens in Stanton, Kentucky, he had a younger brother named William Ward Stephens who also b ...

(1988) *

Bob Sheppard Robert Leo Sheppard (October 20, 1910 – July 11, 2010) was the long-time public address announcer for numerous New York area college and professional sports teams, in particular the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (1951–2007), a ...

* Pete Bostwick (1987) * Frank Sprig Gardner (1987) *(Bandleader) Guy Lombardo (1987, a

speed boat A motorboat, speedboat or powerboat is a boat that is exclusively powered by an engine. Some motorboats are fitted with inboard engines, others have an outboard motor installed on the rear, containing the internal combustion engine, the gea ...

enthusiast) * William Shea (1987) *

Ron Turcotte Ronald Joseph Morel "Ronnie" Turcotte, (born July 22, 1941) is a retired Canadian thoroughbred race horse jockey best known as the rider of Secretariat, winner of the U.S. Triple Crown in 1973. Career Turcotte began his career in Toronto as a h ...

(1990) * Ernie Vandeweghe (1987) * Billy Smith

References

Sports halls of fame Long Island {{NewYork-museum-stub