SIDNEY - The Sidney Central School Alumni Association fulfilled its mission of increasing interest and support during Homecoming 2007 with a record crowd at their fifth annual Sports Hall of Fame Induction Dinner and Ceremony Saturday, September 22.

Not only that, the alumni's involvement inspired the student body to bring back Homecoming traditions among students for the first time in may years. And a new tradition of holding the Sports Hall of Fame inductions has now been started.

At the Homecoming football game September 21, hundreds of alumni ranging from the 1940s to the recent 2007 graduates showed up to cheer on the football Warriors and also to pay tribute to the class of 2007 inductees and new Legacy Award recipients during a special halftime ceremony.

The 1950 football team, the inaugural Legacy Award choice, was honored at the ceremony along with the newest Hall of Fame inductees Kermit Marble (class of 1955), Mike Gallup (`63) and Vinny Lynch ('77). The coach of the 1950 team, Fran Redmond joined his former players on the track for halftime introductions. Some of the guys from that team (7-0 League champs that season) came back from as far away as California, Arizona and Florida.

Following the football game the party continued at the Sidney V.F.W. where stories of past athletic glories were shared and everyone looked forward to what promised to be a memorable event the next evening.

Indeed, the festivities at the American Legion Saturday were truly magical, as a record turnout of 170 guests came to continue the celebration.

Master of Ceremonies Greg Davie kept the night moving in a tempo that made time immaterial. In fact in several instances, time seemed to stand still in reviewing the accomplishments of the coaches and players being honored!

The annual sports memorabilia auction raised more than $1600 to' help pay for a new indoor scorer's table to be used at Sidney High School. Jerseys signed by NFL greats Kellen Winslow Jr. And Reggie Bush went for big money as did autographed footballs by Brady Quinn and . Tedy Bruschi. Bob Feller and Jason Giambi autographed baseballs also drew attention, while the biggest bid of the night went for a one week stay at a condo in Hilton Head, South Carolina, offered by 2007 Hall of Fame Mike Gallup. Thanks to Mike as well as Mike Lynch (`75) and A to Z Sports Marketing for the excellent auction items!

First to the podium to accept the Hall of Fame Award for her late husband Alan was Dorothy Drake. Dressed in contemporary "Pride in the Tribe" attire, Mrs. Drake gave thanks to the players who worked so hard under Alan,s direction - especially those of the baseball teams who made the incredible 33-game winning streak (1962-65) possible. Dorothy was escorted to the dinner by next door neighbor Bill Dann who also served as her introductory speaker.

Next up was Kermit Marble, who was first introduced by his eldest son Charlie. Kermit was a stellar three-sport all-star. While he never got to play ball in college, Kermit's exploits at Sidney were even more impressive by the fact that he . worked two jobs while living by himself in a boarding house. It was his decision to do that, after his father had died and his mother.and brother moved to Bainbridge. Kermit. was determined to stay and play for the men (coaches) he considered mentors for him, among them Fran Redmond and Al Drake.

Mike Gallup not only got a warm introduction from his former next door neighbor Karyl Burgher Clemens ('68) including an additional intro via the written word from Karyl's father Bill Burgher, he received a long distance dedication from former teammate Harry Bouvier in a letter read by classmate Dick Germond, That tribute also came with a special trophy done in his "honor".

Mike's speech was more like a series of glowing memories of growing up in Sidney and the "village" that raised him long before the popular book written by Hillary Clinton was ever thought about.

The final individual honor was for Vinny Lynch, introduced with paternal pride by Dr. Howard Lynch. As the father of seven other sons besides Vinny, Dr. Lynch was able to cite the unique way in which Vinny went about his athletic career; yet he blended his whole family into the introduction as well. And what followed from Vinny himself - a true walk down Memory Lane - was just as inspiring. He centered on a theme of "I remember when" and offered names of basketball players and good friends along the way who were influential during his formative years in Sidney.

Then came the Legacy Award honors for the 1950 football team. Coach Fran Redmond worked without notes of any kind in offering his recollections of that memorable season 57 years . ago. Those memories were as fresh as if that team had just finished playing - and there were many stories to share. Best of all was the memory of how the team pulled together to finish their undefeated season and how the players "escorted" their coach to the Susquehanna River after the final game was won in November. That water, the coached assured the crowd, was even colder than what everyone was led to believe. "But," he added, "it felt great."

The members of the team or family representatives of deceased members, were presented with team pictures and commemorative footballs with the team roster imprinted. In addition, team captain Loren "Moby" Collins presented the Legacy Award plaque to current Sidney Athletic Director Eric Race and Superintendent Sandra Cooper. This plaque and all other past present and future Hall of Fame inductees will soon be mounted on the around the old Warrior Head near the entrance to the gymnasium at the High School.