The Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame is officially announcing its Class of 2021. Nine individuals have earned induction with enough votes granted by the selection committee.

The 2021 inductees include Karen Ferguson-Dayes, Jason Fraser, Randy Givens, Tony Guido, Val James, Rohan Murphy, John Paci, Joe Reilly, and Don Webster.

“There’s no greater honor than inducting these talented and influential people,” said Chris R. Vaccaro, Executive Director of the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame. “From the pros to high school we have a diverse class of individuals who left their mark on the local and national sports landscape.”

The Hall of Fame postponed its Class of 2020 induction due to the pandemic, so both classes will be honored at the same time. Due to ongoing concerns from the pandemic, the Hall of Fame is still developing plans for an event on May 12, which is likely going to be held virtually. We’ll continue to keep our inductees and the public informed in the coming weeks.

“The health and safety of our inductees and their friends and family is our top priority,” said Vaccaro. “We will not postpone the ceremony for another year and will likely have something virtual in the spring. It’s not ideal, but it’s important that we honor these deserving individuals in a timely manner, while staying safe.”

Inductee Profiles

• Karen Ferguson-Dayes: Current women’s soccer coach at the University of Louisville and former U.S. Women’s National Team player, who played at Sachem

• Jason Fraser: Amityville High and Villanova University hoops star who also coached with the Phoenix Suns of the NBA

• Randy Givens: Amityville High and Florida State University track star who is an Olympian and an NCAA champion

• Tony Guido: Rocky Point, NY native, All-American and All-Ivy lacrosse player at Yale

• Val James: Hauppauge, NY native that became the first black American in the NHL, playing for the Buffalo Sabres and Toronto Maple Leafs

• Rohan Murphy: East Islip, NY native, decorated wrestler in high school and at Penn State, record setting American Paralympian and motivational speaker

• John Paci: Huntington, NY native who was an All-Big Ten quarterback at Indiana and played for the New York Jets and Washington Redskins

• Joe Reilly: Longwood track & field coach and one of the winningest coaches in New York State history
• Don Webster: Former Executive Director of Section XI and athletic director at Longwood and Ward Melville

Contact Information

Chris R. Vaccaro I SuffolkHOF@gmail.com I Social: @SuffolkHOF