History

Induction Guidelines

Buffalo Squash Racquets Association
Hall Of Fame History

            In 2000, the Buffalo Squash Racquets Association  inaugurated a Hall of Fame honoring those of our squash community who have outstanding accomplishments in the game of squash racquets. These accomplishments include competition, leadership and a strong commitment to squash on a local or national level, and demonstrated sportsmanship and character both on and off the court.

            Squash began in Buffalo around 1900 as a result of the athletic interests of a Howard Bissell and seems to have sprung from its initiation at the Philadelphia Racquet Club, according to highlights reported in the BSRA yearbook of 1955. In 1924, team competition was started between several clubs through the efforts of Lyman Bass, a name well known to us all through our annual Lyman Bass tournament.

            Each year candidates are selected from all eras of squash in Buffalo beginning with the year 1900 for induction into the Hall of Fame. Any BSRA member, past or present, may submit a candidate for the Hall of Fame. A three-person selection committee will present a slate of candidates to the BSRA Executive Committee for final selection.

            Current members of the Hall of Fame are listed elsewhere on this Web page.

Buffalo has a rich history of contributions and activity at all levels in the game of squash racquets. The Hall of Fame is a fitting and lasting honor to those who have contributed to that history.

Buffalo Squash Racquets Association
Hall of Fame Guidelines

May 1, 2000

1.      Nomination Process

Any present or former member of the Buffalo Squash Racquets Association (BSRA) shall be entitled to submit the nomination of any present or former Buffalo squash player for membership in the BSRA Hall of Fame. Nominations must be submitted to the BSRA Executive Committee each year prior to December 1 of that given year. Selection will include individuals from all eras of squash in Buffalo beginning with 1900, the year squash was (reportedly) introduced into Buffalo. The BSRA Executive Committee shall appoint a 3-person selection committee each year to research the accomplishments of potential candidates from each decade. The selection committee, comprised of two Hall of Fame members and one Executive Committee member, will rank the candidates within each decade to the best of their ability and submit said list to the Executive Committee. This list will form the pool from which nominees will be selected each year. The number of nominees inducted each year shall be left to the discretion of the Executive Committee. The pool will be replenished and supplemented each year with further research and new information on potential candidates. The Executive Committee, using the recommendation of the selection committee for current year inductees and any nominations from the BSRA membership, shall make the final selection of candidates for induction each year. (The Executive Committee member of the selection committee shall not be eligible for induction that year.) Selection of each inductee class should reflect a moderately balanced representation across the years so as to recognize all eras of squash in Buffalo. However, emphasis may favor the current era so as to insure identification with candidates and generate interest.

2.   Hall of Fame Qualifications

A nominee should be an individual who is recognized for his/her contributions to the game of squash as a player, administrator, teacher, and/or benefactor. The individual should also possess qualities as to befit and honor the game of squash and the BSRA by his/her on and off court activities. The following attributes shall be principal qualifying factors:

·        Accomplishments (in local, regional and national competition)

·        Sportsmanship and character

·        Leadership and commitment to squash on a local and national level

3.      Election Process

The BSRA Executive Board Secretary shall accumulate and disseminate the names and submissions relating to each nominee to each member of the Executive Committee no later than December 8. The Executive Committee shall meet and hold elections for the BSRA Hall of Fame no later than January 15 with notifications being sent to the elected members immediately. The Executive Committee shall keep the names of the individuals nominated confidential.

In order to be elected to the Hall of Fame, a nominee must receive at least 80% of the votes tabulated. The voting shall be done by secret ballot with the results, other than those for the elected members, kept confidential.

The Executive Committee, in determining whether an individual deserves membership in the Hall of Fame, shall take into account the qualifications of the nominee as set forth above, as well as the age of the nominee giving due deference to individual candidates who are either deceased or are no longer competing at the game of squash.

4.      Induction Process

Each year’s inductees shall be honored at the BSRA Annual Awards Dinner. A Hall of Fame plaque engraved with the inductee’s name, principal accomplishments and year of induction shall be presented to the inductee (or inductee’s representative) for display in the Hall of Fame at the Buffalo Tennis and Squash Club, or such other place as the Executive Committee shall decide. In addition, a photo, if available, shall accompany the plaque. A citation of induction shall be given to the inductee (or inductee’s representative). The cost of the plaques, the citations and the photographs, their mounting and framing, shall be borne by the BSRA.