Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist, Ron Graham, Chautauqua County Sports Hall of Fame Executive Director Randy Anderson

Co-founder of Chautauqua Striders and the Infinity Performing Arts Program, Ron Graham, was recognized at the Robert H. Jackson Center Wednesday.

Chautauqua County Sports Hall of Fame Executive Director Randy Anderson said Graham has become an advocate and mentor for Chautauqua County youth, “Today we are recognizing a man who has devoted nearly 50 years of his life to the design, development, and implementation of youth initiatives; emphasizing athletics, academics, delinquency prevention, and the performing arts.”

He said Graham co-founded Striders with the late Dan Feather, “The idea behind the 1979 formation of the Chautauqua Striders was to help young people reach their potential both on the track and in the classroom with the slogan being ‘Champions On and Off the Field.'”

Anderson said during Graham’s tenure as executive director and coach between 1979 and 1990, he had several athletes who earned NCAA division 1 scholarships and also had students who competed in NCAA Division 2 and 3.

Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist also presented Graham with a certificate of recognition.

Graham was diagnosed earlier this year with stage-four gastroesophageal cancer.

WRFA’s Jason Sample talks with Randy Anderson, director of the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame, about the 2022 Induction Class and the upcoming annual Banquet – set for Presidents Day (Feb. 21) at the Lakewood Rod & Gun Club.

Inductees for this year include Anderson, along with George L. Barone, Jr., Sarah (Bogardus) Burnett, Andrew J. Creager, Christina M. Kebort, Michael A. Sirianni, Lewis G. Mack, Marc T. Tramuta, Larry E. Rodgers, Richard P. Shearman and Harry G. Carlson.

These eleven individuals will be formally inducted at the CSHOF’s 40th Annual Induction Banquet, Monday, February 21, 2022, at the Lakewood Rod & Gun Club.

Tickets are now available in person at the CSHOF (15 W. Third St., Jamestown), at the Jock Shop (10 Harrison St., Jamestown), by calling banquet chairman Chip Johnson at 716-485-6991 or online at chautauquasportshalloffame.org/about.php#banquet. Masks will be required regardless of vaccination status.

Randy Anderson

The Board of Directors will honor inductees, both living and alive, at its 40th Annual Induction Banquet at the Lakewood Rod and Gun Club on Presidents’ Day in February 2022.

The living inductees are Sarah M. (Bogardus) Burnett, Andrew Creager, Christina Kebort, Michael Sirianni, Lewis Mack, Marc Tramuta, and current Sports Hall of Fame President Randy Anderson.

The deceased honorees are George Barone, Jr., Harry Carlson, Larry Rodgers, and Richard Shearman.
The new honorees will bring the total number of CSHOF inductees to 220.

Tickets for the Sports Hall of Fame Banquet are available by calling Chip Johnson at 716-485-6991.

WRFA’s Julia Ciesla-Hanley met with Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame Executive Director Randy Anderson about what the Hall of Fame is up to this year and more.

JAMESTOWN – A book capturing the history of professional baseball in Jamestown has been updated and republished to include additional details since its first launch over 20 years ago.

The Jamestown Tarp Skunks and members of Jamestown Community Baseball held an event Saturday morning at the Robert H. Jackson Center celebrating the official launch of the book “Our Game: From Unknowns to Tarp Skunks, 155 Years (And Counting!) of Baseball in Jamestown, New York.”

A discussion on a new book about the history of baseball in Jamestown NY took place on Saturday, Oct. 3 at the Robert H. Jackson Center, featuring co-authors David Mulei (via webstream) and Scott Kindberg (seated left); Randy Anderson from the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame (seated right) and moderated by Greg Peterson (seated, back to camera).

The book is of reprint of the 1998 book “Across the Seams” by Dave Mulei, with new, additional chapters contributed and edited by Scott Kindberg, long-time reporter and current sports editor of the Jamestown Post-Journal.

The event featured a discussion involving Mulei and Kindberg, along with Randy Anderson, Executive Director of the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame. It was moderated by Jamestown Community Baseball founding member, attorney and local history buff and baseball fan Greg Peterson.

Kindberg explained that while he helped to choose much of the content that went into covering the 25 additional years of baseball in the community, much of it was actually written by the former Post-Journal Sports editor, the late Jim Riggs.

Image from Jamestown Post-Journal

“Fortunately, Jim clipped out every article and every column he ever wrote. So Randy suggested, ‘Well. Since Jim’s stuff is all cataloged, why don’t we see what we can find that relates to his coverage of the Jammers from 1995 to 2014.’ And then myself and the staff at the Post-Journal picked up the coverage of the collegiate wood bat league from 2015 to the present,” Kindberg said.

The book not only includes coverage of professional baseball in the city until the Jamestown Jammers Single-A team’s departure in 2014, but also the return of baseball by the Jammers’ summer collegiate team the following year and the announced “Jamestown Tarp Skunks” team of 2020.

Anderson also helped to create a database of all players who ever made it to the major league level, explaining those players are an important part of sports history in our area.

“Our guys are in that book. And that’s our job at the Hall of Fame, it’s to honor and preserve the sports legacy of Chautauqua County and nothing says it better than the history of baseball,” Anderson said.

Mulei, who joined the discussion from the New York City area via zoom webstreaming, explained that his original book – along with the expansion provided Kindberg – does more than just cover the year-by-year history of the teams that played, saying it also explains how community leaders and various stakeholders worked to keep it going over the years.

“I think this is a story that is about more than just the game on the field in Jamestown. I think what you have all been part of – that continuum that you’re on – is crucial and essential. I think it’s a playbook for other folks in other towns committing to other projects and things that are bigger than themselves,” Mulei said.

In addition to the release of the new book, Peterson said that the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame also has posters now available for sale that feature the baseball cards of all major league players who ever played for a Jamestown team, from the early 1940s all the way to the present day. That includes Hall-of-Famers Nellie Fox and Randy Johnson, along with an estimated 180 others.

Many of the cards were provided by Jamestown’s “Mr. Baseball” – Russ Diethrick.

“Russ was gracious enough to extend to the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame his collection [of baseball cards]. His collection has now been captured for the first time in posters, which are for sale. That is a collection of folks who played baseball in Jamestown and came to go on to the majors,” Peterson said.

The book and two separate posters featuring the baseball players who made it to the “Big Show” are all now available for sale at the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame.

Inductees for the Class of ‘19 are George Bataitis, Bob Bender, Bob Goold, Chris (Carlson) Jenkins, Justin Johnson, Tim Nobles, Elly Norton, Mark Orlando and Mike Tramuta.

The price per ticket is $50. CSHOF members receive a $5 discount.

Tickets are now on sale at Jamestown Cycle Shop and the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame. Tickets can also be ordered by call banquet chairman Chip Johnson at 485-6991.

The event is on Presidents Day and will be held at the The Lakewood Rod and Gun Club, starting at 6:30 p.m.

JAMESTOWN – Local residents are being invited to participate in Doors Open Jamestown on Saturday, Jan. 18.

The annual event invitees area residents to visit over a dozen different places right here in our own backyard. Designed to invite area residents to visit and learn about the local museums, galleries, and assets we have right here in our community, Doors Open Jamestown features something for everyone, whether you’re interested in history, comedy, nature, or art.

Most attractions will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with free admission.  Hours may vary at some locations.  In addition, dozens of local restaurants and retail shops will be open for your shopping and dining pleasure on that day.

The list of participating attractions so far includes:

• Audubon Community Nature Center
• Busti Grist Mill
• Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce
• Chautauqua Harbor Hotel
• Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame
• Children’s Activity Corner
• DAR House, Fenton History Center
• James Prendergast Library
• Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum
• Martz-Kohl Observatory
• Marvin Community House
• National Comedy Center (preregistration required)
• Reg Lenna Center for the Arts
• Robert H. Jackson Center
• Roger Tory Peterson Institute

Doors Open Jamestown is organized by the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation and Jamestown Up Close, with support from the Jamestown Community Chamber of Commerce.  More info at JamestownUpClose.com.

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JAMESTOWN – The very popular Doors Open Jamestown will be back again on Saturday, January 19.

Doors Open offers free admission for the day to our local attractions, demonstrating the extraordinary tourism opportunities that are right here in our own backyard.  Sponsored by the Jamestown Community Chamber of Commerce and the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation, Doors Open has grown substantially since it first began.

Participating venues are:

• Jamestown Audubon Nature Center
• Busti Grist Mill
• Chautauqua Harbor Hotel
• Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame
• Daughters of the American Revolution
• Fenton History Center
• Infinity Visual and Performing Arts
• James Prendergast Public Library
• Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum
• Lucille Ball Little Theatre
• Martz Kohl Observatory
• Marvin Community House
• National Comedy Center (preregistration required due to limited capacity)
• Northwest Arena
• Reg Lenna Center for the Arts
• Robert H. Jackson Center
• Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History
• Spire Theater
• Tot Spot
• Venue 31

The hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for this FREE day at many of our local museums and attractions.

These nine individuals will be formally inducted at the CSHOF’s 38th Annual Banquet, Monday, February 18, 2019, at the Lakewood Rod and Gun Club. The new honorees will bring the total number of CSHOF inductees to 200.

Tickets for the induction dinner are priced at $50. 2019 banquet reservations can be made by calling chairman Chip Johnson at 716-485-6991.

Cheryl Bailey

• Born 1955; graduate of Southwestern Central
• Track and field athlete at SWCS, North Park College & Slippery Rock University
• Head coach Women’s Soccer, Denison University 1979-1988
• Head coach Women’s Track & Field, Denison University, 1981-1988
• Athletic Director Denison University 1979-1990
• Senior Associate Athletic Director University of Wisconsin 1990-2005
• Chair NCAA Women’s Soccer 1987-1993
• Chair NCAA Women’s Basketball 2001-2004
• General Manager US Women’s National Soccer Team 2007-2011
• Executive Director National Women’s Professional Soccer League 2012-2015

Tiffany (Seekings) Decker

• Born 1970; graduate of Jamestown High
• Trapshooter 1991-present
• Competed and won at meets in NY, PA, OH, NC & FL
• Many-time champion in singles, doubles, handicap, high all around & high over all events
• 10-time Amateur Trapshooting Association All-New York State Team 2009-2018; including multiple team captaincies
• 7-time Amateur Trapshooting Association All-American Team 2013-2019
• Inductee NYS Trapshooting Hall of Fame 2018

Vince Gullo

• Born 1967; graduate of Fredonia Central
• Baseball, soccer and basketball player at Fredonia High; Baseball at Brockport
• Head baseball coach at Fredonia Central 2002-present
• Record 305-106-1
• Nine CCIAC League championships
• Ten Section 6 championships
• Five NYS Far West Regional championships
• Two NYS Class B championships 2006, 2013
• Four-time Post-Journal Baseball Coach of the Year 2006, 2009, 2013, 2016
• Two-time NYS Class B Coach of the Year 2006, 2013
• Coached seven All-Western New York players
• Coached two NYS Class B Players of the Year

Jack Harper

• Born 1878; died 1950
• Lived in Jamestown (1908-1950) following his retirement from baseball
• Pitcher in minor leagues 1898-1900; won 20 games for Ft. Wayne in 1990
• Pitcher in major leagues 1899-1906: Cleveland Spiders, St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Browns, Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs
• Major League record: 80-64, 1208 innings pitched, 466 strikeouts, 3.55 ERA
• Record of 23-13 with Cardinals in 1901
• Record of 23-9 with Reds in 1904
• Believed to be the first player in history of Organized Baseball to receive a portion of his sale to another team – Garry Herrmann, owner of Cincinnati, reportedly gave Harper $1000 of the proceeds when he was sold to Chicago in 1906

Charles Johnston

• Born 1930; died 2017
• Tennis coach Fredonia Central 1962-1989
• Overall record 374-47; seven undefeated seasons
• Seventeen Chautauqua County championships
• Thirteen Section 6 championships
• NYS Coach of the Year 1982
• National Coaches Association Northeast Coach of the Year 1983
• Section 6 Tennis Chairman 1972-1985
• CCIAC Tennis Chairman 1970-1985
• Fredonia High School Wall of Fame 2003Grape Belt Hall of Fame 2003

Luella (Baker) Kye

• Born 1932; died 2012; graduate Cassadaga Valley Central
• Catcher for Koch’s Annies softball team 1949-1953
• First female umpire east of the Mississippi River (1961)
• Umpired baseball and softball for 20 years
• Instrumental in introducing Babe Ruth League softball in Chautauqua County; coached and organized clinics
• Inductee Chautauqua County Umpires Association Hall of Fame
• Inductee Western New York Softball Hall of Fame

Michael Lopriore

• Born 1950; graduate of Jamestown High
• Certified athletic trainer 1977-2012
• Head athletic trainer at University of New Orleans
• Head basketball trainer University of Louisiana-Lafayette & Kansas State U
• Athletic trainer for Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers & LA Dodgers
• Rehab director for New York Mets & Arizona Diamondbacks
• Head athletic trainer for Santurce Crabbers (LA Dodgers winter ball)
• Athletic trainer for Seattle Seahawks & Cochise College
• Appearances at numerous NCAA Division 1 basketball and baseball tournaments and championships
• 1988 World Series champion with Dodgers

Bob Palcic

• Born 1948; graduate of Cardinal Mindszenty High (Dunkirk)
• Captain University of Dayton football team
• Coached football at University of Dayton, Ball State, University of Wisconsin, University of Arizona, Ohio State University, University of Southern California, University of California Los Angeles, Southern Methodist University
• Coached 12 years  in the NFL with Atlanta Falcons, Detroit Lions, Cleveland Browns, New Orleans Saints
• Coached 2 years in the CFL with the Toronto Argonauts
• Coached the Ljubljana Silver Hawks in Slovenia
• Coached 3 Outland Trophy winners: Joe Thomas, Jonathan Ogden, Gabe Carimi
• Coached in 12 college bowl games, 4 NFL playoff games and 2 Grey Cups

Grandmaster Mark A. Weaver

• Born 1970; works at GA Family Services in Jamestown
• 42-year involvement in martial arts; recipient of 8th degree black belt
• Proficient in disciplines of  karate, Gung-Fu, Kuntao, Ninjitsu, kickboxing, Shaolin Yangshen Kung-Fu; trained in Japan, Singapore, Korea and Thailand
• Founder/CEO Warrior Combat International
• Inductee USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame (2015)
• International Fellowship of Martial Arts Grandmaster of the Year in Asian Martial Arts (2016)
• Action Magazine Martial Arts Hall of Fame Excellence in Teaching Award (2017); named in Who’s Who in Martial Arts book
• USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame Kung-Fu Master of the Year (2017)
• Coached U.S. National Martial Arts Team (2015, 2018)