List of 2008 Palm Beach County Sports Hall of Fame
Inductees Include the late John D. MacArthur

West Palm Beach, FL – Nine amazing sports legends, including the late John D. MacArthur, who is often called the father of big time professional golf in Palm Beach County, are scheduled for induction into the Palm Beach County Sports Hall of Fame. 

From the corner table in the coffee shop at Colonnades Hotel, John D. MacArthur built the city of Palm Beach Gardens and encouraged the PGA of America to move from Dunedin to Palm Beach Gardens, building national headquarters and three golf courses at what is now BallenIsles Country Club. Palm Beach County and Palm Beach Gardens became “The Golf Capital of the World.”

Others scheduled for induction this year are Brad Banks, Steve Hardin, David McIntosh and Donald Thompson, football; Leonard Griesmer and James “Sonny” Jaudon, youth sports; Joe Grahe, baseball; Joan Joyce, softball and golf.

The 32nd Annual Induction and Awards Banquet is on Sunday, March 9 and the Palm Beach County Convention Center. For tickets and information, please visit www.palmbeachsports.com or call the Palm Beach County Sports Institute at 561-233-3180.

Candidates for the Annual Sports Award will be announced later this week.

Here are brief resumes of this year’s inductees:

Brad Banks, Belle Glade:  A native of West Palm Beach. He was All-state QB at Glades Central HS 1997-98 and Lou Groza Award winner as a senior,  Big 10 Player of the Year for University of Iowa, 2002,  AP College Player of the Year, Walter Camp All-American QB, Davey O’Brien Award, Maxwell Award finalists and Heisman Trophy runner-up. Brad is currently playing in the Canadian Football League.

Joe Grahe, Palm Beach Gardens: Grew up in North Palm Beach, All-Star pitcher at Palm Beach Gardens High School, Palm Beach Community College and University of Miami. Was MVP of 1986 American Legion World Series, pitching  Jensen Beach Post 126 to title; drafted by Angels and played pro ball for 10 years; member of University of Miami Hall of Fame.

Leonard Griesmer, West Palm Beach: Since 1959 coached football and basketball, boys and girls, a total of more than 2,500 youths in 66 seasons for eight different youth organizations; strong emphasis on academics, sportsmanship and fundamentals. In 1967, coached first racially integrated football team at Howard Park.

Steve Hardin, Panama City: As quarterback at Seacrest High School, 20-1 two-year record as quarterback; played at Florida State and Lenoir-Rhyne College, graduated from Florida Atlantic. Then was successful head coach at Atlantic, Tallahassee Lincoln and Panama City Rutherford High Schools.

James E. “Sonny” Jaudon, Belleview: Active in youth baseball in Palm Beach County from 1952 through 1974, honored by Major League Scouts Association for years of service to youth baseball. He left Port of Palm Beach to take a similar leadership position at the Port of Manatee in Bradenton; retired in 1982; coached Little League and Post 12, baseball chairman at Post 12; graduate of Palm Beach High School in 1939.

Joan Joyce, Boca Raton: Coach of perennial powerhouse women’s softball team at Florida Atlantic. She was All-American and All-Pro in softball, basketball and volley ball; played on LPGA tour 1977-95. Member of 3 Hall of fames: women’s sports, softball and women’s basketball.

David McIntosh, West Palm Beach: Won 10 letters in football, basketball and baseball and became the first student at Cardinal Newman High School to receive a D-1 football scholarship to the University of Florida. He is past president of University of Florida national Alumni Association, a member of the Orange Bowl and Miami Super Bowl committees.

Donald Thompson, Belle Glade: Graduated from Pahokee High School, lettering in 4 sports and serving as class president as a junior and senior. Where he then returned to coach, winning state football championship in 1989 as well as numerous regional, district and conference titles; still an assistant coach at Pahokee High School.

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