Former Blue Demon Emmette Bryant to be Inducted into Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame

Bryant played at DePaul before NBA career from 1964-72 with New York, Boston and Buffalo

Emmette Bryant will be inducted into the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame on Sept. 15.

July 19, 2010

CHICAGO - Former men's basketball player Emmette Bryant is among the inductees for the 2010 class of the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony takes place at 6 p.m. on Sept. 15 at Hawthorne Race Course.

Joining Bryant and highlighting the 2010 class are Frank Thomas, Chicago Blackhawks Chairman Rocky Wirtz, pro football Hall of Famer John Hannah and Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski.

Krzyzewski will receive the Ray Meyer College Coach of the Year Award after winning his fourth NCAA Championship in April. Previous recipients of this award - named for the DePaul University legend and Basketball Hall of Famer - include Roy Williams, Bill Self and Billy Donovan. This is the fourth consecutive year the Meyer award has gone to the coach of the NCAA Champs.

Hannah will be honored with the George Connor Lifetime Achievement Award for invaluable contributions to the game of football during 13 NFL seasons and Thomas, who played 16 years for the White Sox, will be recognized for his 521 career home runs and numerous records. The induction of Wirtz salutes his outstanding leadership in the remarkable turnaround of the Stanley Cup Champion Blackhawks. Rocky's late father and grandfather also received this honor.

Spectacular achievements on many levels highlight the careers of all inductees of the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame. Joining this year's class are Bill Madlock (Chicago Cubs), Jeremy Roenick (Chicago Blackhawks), Linda Mastrandrea (Paralympic Gold Medalist), Nick Rassas (Notre Dame All-American) and Willie May (Indiana All-American).

The Class of 2010 is also privileged to include Jerry Vainisi (Chicago Bears and NFL executive), Simeon Rice (University of Illinois, NFL), Gerry Sullivan (University of Illinois, NFL), Ted Cachey (Mt. Carmel H.S., University of Michigan captain), Richard Hazelton (legendary thoroughbred trainer), Jim Corno (President, Comcast SportsNet), Larry Wert (Regional President, NBCU), Ed Maracich (Big Ten official) and Matt Senffner (Providence Catholic H.S.).

Charles Carey, Chairman of the Board of the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame said, "We have had the good fortune to induct many distinguished men and women in the Hall and this year's Class is among our best ever. What great achievements, what varied and valuable contributions have been made by these fine sports people. They have had an impact locally, regionally and nationally. Now it is Chicagoland's turn to honor them."

Veteran sportscaster Tom Shaer is Master of Ceremonies for the 2010 Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame induction dinner. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Father John Smyth Standing Tall Foundation and the National MS Society, Greater Illinois Chapter. Individual tickets are $125 each and tables of 10 are available. For tickets and sponsorships or to obtain more information about this year's dinner, please visit www.chicagolandsportshalloffame.com or call Mr. Fagan at 708-780-3679 or 708-426-5212.

The Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame has inducted 422 athletes, coaches, officials, media, and others who distinguished themselves with contributions to sports. It exclusively benefits charitable, educational, literary and religious purposes and is as a tax-exempt organization in Illinois under Section 501(c)(3).