Business and community leaders honored South Florida’s outstanding professional athletes at the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce’s Sports Hall of Champions induction ceremony on Tuesday, September 13 at Marlins Park.

RK Partner Bob Fitzsimmons chaired the event and noted that the annual event honors individuals who, through their achievements in and contribution to sports, have brought recognition to South Florida. Eric Reid, Miami Heat Television Play by Play broadcaster and original member of the franchise, served as master of ceremonies.

At the annual event, professional athletes are inducted and honored for the recognition and esteem they have brought to themselves and our community. In addition, a sports professional is presented with lifetime achievement honors. Inductees have gained or maintained fame in sports as a player, coach or executive; made contributions to the betterment of sports in the South Florida community; and/or were born in South Florida or participated in sports here and achieved recognition in the community.

This year’s honorees included:
UDONIS HASLEM -Three-time NBA Champion with The Miami Heat and all-time rebounding leader, NBA All-Rookie Second Team, Second-Team All-American – NABC, Third-team All-American, graduate of Miami Senior High School and University of Florida.

JONATHAN VILMA- Super Bowl champion with the New Orleans Saints, three time Pro Bowl Linebacker, Middle Linebacker for Hurricanes’ National Championship team, AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, graduate of Coral Gables High School and University of Miami.

JILL ELLIS- Head Coach of the U.S. Women’s National Team, Coach of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup Champions, 2015 CONCACAF Female Coach of the Year and 2015 FIFA World Coach of the Year for Women’s Soccer

LIFETIME CONTRIBUTION TO SPORTS – JIMMY EVERT Patriarch of one of the most famous tennis families in history. Coach of 18-time Grand Slam champion and daughter, Chris Evert, and Jennifer Capriati, Harold Solomon and Brian Gottfried. (Chris Evert, 2015 Hall of Champions Inductee, will accept this award on her father’s behalf.)

News Links from the event:
Miami Herald interviews Bob Fitzsimmons about the Miami Chamber’s Sports Hall of Champions event held on September 13, 2016

The San Diego Union-Tribune