The fourth annual Gary Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony took place at the Indiana University Northwest auditorium on July 25th.

The newest inductees were: Marce Gonzalez (track), Jerry Shay (football), Don Leek (track), Angela Hamblin-Blakely (basketball), Willie Williams (track) and Dave Shelbourne (football). In addition Dr. Phil Eskew was presented the first annual Earl H. Smith Award for his lifelong commitment to Gary sports. Sherita Smith, daughter of the late Earl Smith and CEO of the Gary Sports Hall of Fame committee, made that presentation.

"I had a great experience," said Shelbourne, who starred as a quarterback at Gary Lew Wallace High School and Northwestern University. He later enjoyed a storied career as a high school football coach in Indiana.

"If you were an athlete in Gary at that time (in the '60s), you were well respected," Shelbourne told me. "I could go anywhere I wanted in the city, and the guys that were trying to beat me up on game night were my buddies. Other than that, I have a lot of pride from being here, and it was overall… it was a great experience."

As a high school coach, Shelbourne compiled a career record of 211 wins and 142 losses. He led Highland High School to two undefeated seasons and a 5A runner-up finish. He also coached at Avon and Warren Central high schools. He was inducted into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame in 2000.

At Northwestern, Shelbourne earned All-Big Ten honorable mention. After graduating he coached at Northwestern as a grad assistant and at Wabash College. In high school, he led Lew Wallace to an 18-0 record as the starting quarterback.

"When I retired as a head football coach in Indianapolis, the thing I remember most about it — and I am very honest when I say this — I said, I love Indianapolis, but my heart's still in Gary," Shelbourne said during his acceptance speech.

Former Lew Wallace High School and Northwestern quarterback Dave Shelbourne celebrates with his grandchildren.

Dave Shelbourne, shown here with Fred Mitchell, was a successful high school football coach in Indiana.

Shay also starred at Lew Wallace High School before becoming an All-American defensive tackle at Purdue. He was a first-round draft pick (7th overall) of the Minnesota Vikings in 1966. He played for the Vikings, Falcons and Giants before finishing his playing career in the Canadian Football League with Edmonton. Shay then spent over 40 years as a scout for the Giants.

Now living in Chula Vista, California, the 81-year-old Shay was advised not to fly to Gary for the ceremony due to recent health concerns. But he left a heartfelt video message that was shown to the audience of over 150 people.

Coincidentally, Shay and Shelbourne grew up in the same neighborhood, although Shay is five years older..

"He was our idol, you know," said Shelbourne. "Jerry was a defensive tackle, so we didn't play the same position, but he lived a block down from me, and obviously we all wanted to be like Jerry Shay. He used to come out to our practices, and we were probably more afraid of him just because of his reputation. But he was always a wonderful person. He went out of his way to be helpful. Jerry was always a classy guy who just happened to be a great football player."

Gonzalez, who died in 2009 at the age of 86, was a track star at Gary Froebel High School, winning the state 100 and 220-yard dashes. He went on to the University of Illinois and won the Big Ten title in the 200 and was a member of a world-record setting mile relay team. He served 48 years as a teacher, coach and administrator in Gary, and was my track coach and Spanish teacher throughout high school. He coached the 1969 Tolleston High School track team to a state title. He was presented for induction by his son, Marce Gonzalez, chief public defender for Lake County, Ind.

The late former Roosevelt High School track coach Donald Leek was represented by members of his family who recalled his discipline, pride and dedication as an educator, coach and administrator.

"As athletic director for the entire school system, which was much larger than it is now, he not only focused on high school athletics, but middle school athletics and elementary school athletics," said his wife, Barbara Leek.

Williams, represented by his daughter, was most remembered for breaking the world record in the 100-meter dash, a record that had been held by the incomparable Jesse Owens.

Williams was a three-time All-American, two-time NCAA 100-meter champion, and gold medalist in the 4×100 relay at the 1955 Pan American Games. He was a 100-meter finalist in the 1952 and 1956 Olympic trials, and broke the world record in 1956 while serving in the U.S. Army. He later coached track at Gary West Side High for 11 years, winning five state titles.

Hamblin-Blakely had starred in track and basketball at Lew Wallace High School before earning All-America honors in basketball at the University of Iowa. She was drafted into the WNBA by the Detroit Shock. She is now the head girls basketball coach at Gary West Side High School.

Hamblin-Blakely was a four-year starter at Lew Wallace, finishing with 2,053 career points. She averaged 26.2 points, 18 rebounds, 5.3 steals, and 2 blocks per game as a senior.

"This is something I wanted and didn't know I needed," Hamblin-Blakely said during her emotional acceptance speech. "What a gift. And I'm so grateful, and so humbled by this. Thank you for guiding me on my journey and reminding me that Gary has always been a place that raises greatness."

Gary Sports Hall of Fame chairman Chuck Hughes thanked the several sponsors of the event, as well as me and the other members of the board of directors: Al Hamnik, John Stroia and Sherita Smith.

The six new 2025 inductees to the Gary Sports Hall of Fame have their plaques added to the wall at Indiana University Northwest.

Gary Sports Hall of Fame 2025 class with board of directors.