The Robert “Bob” Douglas Hall of Fame Awards Luncheon took place Sunday, June 5, honoring the recipients of their distinguished awards.
The annual event, which celebrates the achievements of sports pioneers whose contributions have been largely ignored, was held at Our Children’s Foundation, located on the west end of 125th Street.
Its purpose is twofold. It’s to increase the awareness of African-American history, reinforcing, broadening and carrying the roots of its ethnic identity deeper into the meaning of our everyday existence. It’s also to provide camp scholarships to inner-city youth.
Following is the list of honorees:
Benjamin T. Garrett Youth Award—Star Fitzgerald-Greer
Native New Yorker Award—Darryl T. Downing
Humanitarian Award—Sonskeshana Femi Kornegay
Outstanding Achievement Award—Corey J. Garrett Sr.
Lifetime Achievement Award—Geoffrey E. Eaton
Edward C. Younger Pioneer Award—Leroy Hendricks; Richard “Skinny” Reed Jr. (posthumously)
Hall of Fame Honorees—Dale Davis; Al Inniss; Ray Haskins
The overall spirit of the event was summed up by Greer, a student basketball and volleyball player now making plans to attend college, and Hendricks, a former New York City detective who has worked with this city’s most noted basketball leagues, tournaments and referee associations. He now heads the security team for the commissioner of Major League Baseball.
Greer stated, “I’ve been coached by some of the best. My grandpa Tony Greer, Kelsey and Hammer Stevens, Rocky Rosa, Cecil Sievers and Corey McFarlane.”
Hendricks celebrated the love of his wife, who recently passed away, and the growth and success of his three children.
