14 Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame inductees to be unveiled on Wednesday

Class of 2012 to be announced at First Niagara Center, June 6; inductee Rick Jeanneret to give remarks on behalf of class

The Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame will introduce its 14-member class of 2012, Wednesday afternoon, June 6, in the pavilion area at First Niagara Center. Introduction of this year's new members will commence at 3 p.m. with board President Therese Forton-Barnes presiding. A reception will follow at 4:30 p.m. at New Era, 160 Delaware Ave., Buffalo.

This event will mark the 22nd class to be inducted into the Hall of Fame since its inception in 1991, and brings total membership to 254.

Current Buffalo Sabres television and radio play-by-play announcer Rick Jeanneret, one of several inductees expected on hand for the announcement, will offer remarks on behalf of the class. Jeanneret, the longest tenured announcer in the National Hockey League, began his NHL broadcasting career with the Sabres during the 1971-72 season.

Jeanneret will be joined by 13 other former athletes, administrators and coaches into the 2012 class. Four of the 14 will be inducted posthumously as part of the Pride of Western New York.

This group will join a rich heritage of native Western New Yorkers, or those who starred in and around the Queen City during their playing days, who are enshrined in the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame. The 2012 class will be officially introduced in October or November (date to be announced) at the GBSHOF dinner in the Buffalo Hyatt Regency.

In addition, the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame board of directors will announce its annual monetary awards from its Amateur Sports Development Fund. This year, more than $10,000 will be distributed to worthy individuals and organizations in need of additional funding in order to supplement their competitive needs.

The Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame honors those who have enhanced local lives with their performances and commitment to Western New York sports, an effort surpassed only by the positive impressions they have left on the athletes of tomorrow.

For additional information on the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame, visit www.gbshof.com.