By MATT PIKE
The sixth class of the St. Joseph Area Sports Hall of Fame will finally be enshrined this weekend.
The 2026 class includes 10 individuals, one team, and the Special Olympics Area Athlete of the Year. Along with the 2026 class, the Bill Snyder Woman of Impact, Terra James, will also be recognized during the enshrinement ceremony on August 23rd at the Stoney Creek Hotel and Conference Center.
St. Joseph Sports Commission Director Brett Esely says this class being enshrined is another great class.
"This group of 10 individuals, one team, which is kind of a collection of three teams this year with our Central High School three-peat State golf champions from the early 90's," Esely says on the KFEQmunnity show. "And then our Special Olympics inductee the late Patty Sutton, we're absolutely excited to celebrate their careers, and I think we're going to have a jam-packed crowd to celebrate it with them."
There are still tickets currently available for the ceremony which will begin at 5pm on Sunday, with a social hour prior to the event at 4pm.
"Ticket sales have been brisk, we still do have some available, but if you're that person out there that would like to attend, I would urge you not to wait to do that," Esely explains.
There are two ways to buy tickets to the event, either through the St. Joseph Sports Commission's website, or by visiting the St. Joseph Convention and Visitors Bureau and buying them in person. Tickets are $25 a piece. Esely says this event is always one of the most popular, and he gauges that by how fast people leave when the event is over.
"People never leave quickly when its over, which is great, means people enjoyed the evening," Esely says. "And we're just looking forward to another great evening celebrating history in St. Joseph.
Interview
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