Dr. Adam Anz, Steve Jordan, Ashton Hayward & Scott Raynes
Zackary Price & Melissa Pihos
Mark & Olympia Faulkner
Mark Proctor, Troy Rafferty & Phillip Morris
Sarah & Brett Parker
T
he Naval Air Station Pensacola hosted the 57th Annual Florida Sports Hall of
Fame Legacy Reception on Wednesday, November 7. The historic Naval Museum
was fi lled with the most elite sports enthusiasts in Pensacola and some of the
most important businessmen and women in the area. During ceremony, athletes
inducted were fi ve-time Olympic medalist sprinter Justin Gatlin, the 30-year broadcasting
voice of the Florida Gators, Mick Hubert, Roy Jones, Jr., who is considered one of the greatest
boxers of all-time, U.S. Amateur and U.S. Open champion golfer Jerry Pate, a nine-time major
league all-star and former Player of the Year, Gary Sheffi eld and Michelle Snow, former Miss
Basketball and state champion in Florida whom many consider the top women’s player from
the state. Also, a college and pro football hall of famer from the 1940s, Pete Pihos of Orlando,
was inducted posthumously. The Florida Sports Hall of Fame is a 57-year-old organization
with 253 members who have been inducted representing dozens of different sports and
disciplines.
Roy Jones, Jr. opened the evening’s set of speeches, encouraging the crowd with some
Pensacola hometown love. Jerry Pate spoke emotionally about how much having the right
support system did for his career. Michelle Snow and Justin Gatlin gave impassioned,
inspirational speeches about what being famous from Pensacola meant to them.
photos & story by
Kristina Wright
VIP Pensacola at Naval Air Museum Pensacola
Florida Sports Hall of Fame
Legacy Reception
Dr. James Andrews, Jerry Pate & Dr. Gaylon McCullough
44 | VIPPensacola.com
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11/25/18 11:24 AM