Big Night for FAU and the Nine Inductees at the Palm Beach County Sports Hall of Fame Banquet

West Palm Beach, FL – This past Sunday night, FAU was the big winner at the Palm Beach County Sports Hall of Fame Banquet. Starting the evening off, Rusty Smith, Quarterback for FAU, was named Amateur Athlete of the Year and Howard Schnellenberger, Head Football Coach for FAU, was named Coach of the Year. That was only an introduction to the main event, when Joan Joyce, FAU Softball and Golf coach, was accepted into the Palm Beach County Sports Hall of Fame. Joyce had been inducted to numerous Halls of Fame, but this one she will hold closest to her heart as her first Hall of Fame being recognized for her accomplishments as a coach.

It was not just a special night for FAU, eight other inductees accomplishments were recognized and honored during the induction ceremony at the Palm Beach County Convention Center. Football superstar Brad Banks is proud to be the first of hopefully many Glades Central football players to be inducted.  Baseball Major Leaguer Joe Grahe remembers walking through the corridors with his son at Roger Dean Stadium looking at the Hall of Fame banners and seeing such great Palm Beach County sports legends listed and now he is so honored to have his name join those ranks. Youth basketball and football coach Leonard Griesemer, had been nominated for years and was so grateful to finally be inducted. Delray Beach’s Seacrest High School Quarterback and past head coach of Delray Beach-Atlantic High School, Steve Hardin has had one of the most successful high school coaching careers in Florida, but on Sunday night he gave the credit to his players and three sons. For youth baseball pioneer Sonny Jaudon, it felt like a high school reunion and he was thrilled to return home to so many familiar faces. Long time friend and colleague, Senator Phil Lewis, graciously accepted the honor on behalf of John D. MacArthur, the man who is responsible for bringing the PGA of America to Palm Beach Gardens. Dave McIntosh built a legacy at UF, but being honored at home makes this one of his most proud achievements. It was a family affair for Don Thompson, who was Head Coach for Pahokee when they won their first Class 2A state title and now passing the torch to his son, Blaze Thompson, who won the High School Coach of the Year.

Annual Sports Award winners included; Devin Hester, Professional Athlete of the Year; Rusty Smith, Amateur Athlete of the Year;  Howard Schnellenberger, Coach of the Year; Blaze Thompson, High School Coach of the Year, Ashley Brasovan, High School Athlete of the Year; Jan Cairnes, Sports Contributor of the Year; Melissa Riveros, Special Olympics Athlete of the Year; Fred Ross, Andrews-Ceravolo Varsity Men’s Basketball Coach of the Year; Mike Lynch, Andrews-Ceravolo Varsity Women’s Coach of the Year; and the 2004 US Olympic Equestrian Show Jumping Gold Medal Team, Inaugural President’s Award.