Hall of Fame re-opens at Chelsea Piers
STAMFORD — A new era began for the Fairfield County Sports Hall of Fame when it re-opened on Nov. 8 at its new home at Chelsea Piers Connecticut in Stamford. After 13 years of being displayed at UConn-Stamford, the Hall of Fame now will welcome more than a million people a year from the Chelsea Piers community to view the outstanding athletes and coaches that the county has produced. The Hall of Fame is overseen by the Fairfield County Sports Commission.
“Chelsea Piers shares many of the same principles as the Sports Commission,” Greta Wagner, Executive Vice President, Chelsea Piers Connecticut said. “We introduce thousands of children to sports every year, support and develop their skills as they grow-up and coach our competitive athletes to achieve their full potential.”
When the Hall of Fame needed a new home, Sports Commission executive director Tom Chiappetta knew Chelsea Piers was the perfect place.
“When we were searching for the right location to display our Hall of Fame, Chelsea Piers Connecticut immediately came to mind,” Chiappetta, said. “We were not only looking for the proper place and adequate space necessary, but for a like-minded partner that would help us grow the visibility of the Hall. Chelsea Piers fit all of that and more.”
Both organizations hosted a pair of events at the facility to kick off their partnership. In the afternoon, 15 eighth grade students from the Rogers International School heard an educational talk from Chiappetta and Chelsea Piers’ Field House Director Jeff Brameier, the highlysuccessful Darien High boys’ lacrosse coach. A team building exercise followed as well as the students having a chance to see the plaques on the HOF wall.
In the evening, the official
re-opening was attended by Hall of Fame inductees, their family members and friends and supporters of the Commission.
Attending were Hall of Famers Gary Liberatore (2008), Joe DeSantis (2011), Sue Merz, Wes Matthews and Harold Jensen (2012), Dennis Paglialunga (2013) and Laddie Lawrence (2017). Family members for deceased honorees Mickey Lione Jr. (2010) and Allyson Rioux (2013) were also on hand. Gregg Hutchings, a 2011 selection of the UConn Wing of the HOF, was also in attendance.