Host: Howard Simon
Virtual Ceremony to Air on WGR 550 Sports Radio
30th Anniversary class was introduced virtually as part of a four-part series on WGR 550 AM sports radio. The live shows were broadcast from 10-11 am on four consecutive Saturdays, beginning Oct. 31 and continuing through Nov. 21, 2020.
Three new members of the GBSHOF were introduced each Saturday. In addition, the Buffalo Bisons hockey franchise was saluted on the final show, Nov. 21, 2020.
Each broadcast featured exclusive interviews with GBSHOF members with a lineup that included Jeff Manto, Ruben Brown, Darryl Talley, Jimmy Arias, Sue Walsh, Liz Johnson, Craig Ramsay and Frank Layden.
To listen to Audio Playback, choose a program from the playlist:
2020 Class and Their Induction Schedule:
October 31 (Special Guests – Ruben Brown and Jeff Manto)
- Frank Hinkey (Tonawanda, NY) – Yale football 4X All-American; College Football HOF in 1951; Greatest FB player in 19th century.
- Billy Kelly (Bergen, NY) – Sports Editor The Buffalo Courier and Courier Express (1904-1954).
- Frank Mount Pleasant (Tuscarora Reservation, Lewiston, NY) – 1904 & 1908 Olympic jumper; Carlisle College and Dickinson. Member American Indian Hall of Fame.
November 7 (Special Guests – Jimmy Arias and Darryl Talley)
- Charles Ackerly (Cuba, NY) – 1920 Olympic wrestling gold medalist at 132 pounds; Cornell University HOF.
- Ignatius “Iggy” Gronkowski (Buffalo, NY) – 1924 US Olympic Cycling team; Five world records; Gronk’s great grandfather.
- Otto Roehm (Hamilton, Ontario) – 1904 Olympic Wrestling Gold medalist; Professional middleweight wrestling champion; Longtime WNY resident.
November 14 (Special Guests – Sue Walsh and Liz Johnson)
- Benny Bengough (Niagara Falls, NY) – Played catcher for NY Yankees 1923-30; Two World Series; Niagara University.
- James “Pud” Galvin – (St. Louis, Mo) – Pitched 6+ MLB seasons in Buffalo; Baseball’s first 300 game winner; 1965 Baseball Hall of Fame.
- Luke Urban (Fall River, Mass) – End for Buffalo All-Americans (1921-24); All-NFL in 1922 & 23; Head Basketball (68-47) and Football (46-27-7) coach at Canisius College from 1921-30; Canisius HOF.
November 21 (Special Guests – Frank Layden and Craig Ramsay)
- Frank Berst (Buffalo, NY) – Seven Time US National Throw Champion between 1941 and 1950; Manhattan All-American.
- William Leushner (Cookstown, Ontario) – 1908 Olympic Gold medalist in rifle; Silver and two bronze medals in 1912 Olympics; Moved to Buffalo as a teenager.
- Frank Wright (South Wales, NY) – Won team gold and individual bronze in trap shooting at 1920 Olympics; National Trapshooting HOF; 8X New York State Champion.
- Buffalo Bisons Hockey with John Boutet and Mike Robitaille – Bisons won seven championships, including five Calder Cups & eight division titles.