Wall of fame induction ceremony postponed to the fall

Another sign Niagara is entering the homestretch into summer has been cancelled, until at least the fall, by ongoing efforts to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Originally set for Sunday, the Welland Sports Wall of Fame Class induction ceremonies will now be taking place sometime later this year. Also delayed is the announcement of the incoming induction class.

In the past, that had always taken place at the Welland Sports Promotion Committee awards banquet, which preceded the enshrinement at Seaway Mall by about a month.

However, since the awards night was also postponed to the fall from early April, the wall of fame selection committee has decided to uphold that tradition.

“Our committee decided that we would not make the names of this year’s class of wall of fame inductees available until about a month before the induction ceremonies, which is the usual timeline,” chair Gary Talosi said.

He was able to provide the makeup of the incoming class, however.

“There is one team being inducted and five individuals.”

Two of the individuals are going on the wall as athletes, three as builders. Both men and women will be represented in this year’s class.

Another highlight at the Welland sports banquet is the official presentation of the H.L. Cudney Memorial Award. For 2019, and for the second time in three years, the city’s most prestigious sports honour is going to an organization. Nappers Boxing Club is being recognized for helping youth of both genders improve their confidence and life skills.

“The club has helped numerous kids over the years find themselves and bring them back to a productive way of life that has positive goals,” said Ron Lemon, a one-time recipient and chair of the selection committee.

In 2019, the Tribune Boys Basketball Tournament became the first organization to receive the Cudney Award. Last year’s recipient was Welland native and former Canada Basketball president and chief executive officer Michele O’Keefe.