August 21, 2023 at 5:52pm
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Article by Joan Scovic
Director of Marketing & Communications
Northbrook Park District
Northbrook Park District has been honoring volunteers and athletes in the community through Hall of Fame induction since 1978. More than 60 individuals have been recognized since the project’s inception.
A Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held Monday, August 28, 2023, from 6:00pm to 7:00pm at Heritage Oaks Golf Club, 3535 Dundee Road, Northbrook, to celebrate six new Northbrook Park District Hall of Fame inductees including:
- 2020 Sports Hall of Fame – JT Compher, Professional Hockey Player
- 2020 Sports Hall of Fame – Brian Hansen, Olympic Speed Skater
- 2022 Sports Hall of Fame – Jesse Compher, Olympic Hockey Player
- 2022 Sports Hall of Fame – Lana Gehring, Olympic Speed Skater
- 2022 Volunteer Hall of Fame – Gus Locallo, Baseball
- 2022 Volunteer Hall of Fame – Stuart Spiegel, Baseball
The event will include a ceremony featuring individual recognition of each new Hall of Fame member, an autograph session, light refreshments and a cash bar. Members of the public are invited to attend the ceremony to celebrate the newest inductees; please RSVP to Wendy Peterson by Friday, August 25 for event planning purposes.
The Northbrook Park District Volunteer Hall of Fame recognizes volunteers in the community who have given their time and effort to improve the quality of District recreation offerings. The criteria for nomination include being a volunteer with the Park District or one of its affiliates significantly for at least five years, have served as role models for the community (especially its youth) and have not received payment for service or volunteered only to benefit a family member.
With the significant number of talented athletes in Northbrook, from outdoor sports like baseball and soccer to ice sports such as hockey, figure skating and speed skating, a Sports category was added to the Hall of Fame in 1995. The Sports Hall of Fame recognizes accomplishments of athletes who are from Northbrook or who have utilized Northbrook Park District facilities as their primary training location. Eligible nominees must have participated in a sport at the national, Olympic, international, or professional level. In addition, they need to meet one of the following criteria:
- Won a National Championship on a sports team or in an individual sport;
- Completed on a World or Olympic team or received a medal in any Olympic sport;
- Achieved All-American recognition; or
- Reached professional status in a sport.
“Northbrook Park District has been home to so many amazing athletes over the years, and our volunteers are second to none,” said Executive Director Molly Hamer. “It is so exciting to have the opportunity to publicly recognize these very worthy inductees.”
For more information about the induction ceremony or the Hall of Fame program, visit nbparks.org/hall-of-fame.