Foundations of Fame
The Saugerties Sports Hall of Fame was initiated by the South Side Men’s Club in 1963 by James"Jimsy" Freligh, Earl Martin Sr., Harold Legg, Jack Legg, Frank "Fink" Whitaker and Christy Hubert’s in 1961.
The original Club was started for the purpose of creating a softball team and other sports teams, such as dart ball. The Club became much more as it reached out to recognized Saugerties Sports athletes of the past and a recognition of the many deserving athletes of our fine town, thus. creating the Saugerties Sports Hall of Fame.
The Hall of Fame was described as an “Endeavor to honor outstanding athletes of years past”. The first banquet was heldat the Saugerties V.F.W. on February 29,1964. Don McCaig was the first Chairman of this event, and from 1965 thru 2006 Jim Gage was the Saugerties Sports Hall of Fame Chairman.
In the year 1965, recognition was extended beyond athletes to also pay tribute to the efforts of those who helped promote sports and pave the way for our town’s current sports eminence.
The South Side Men’s Club staged the first 6 banquets, and then, when the club went out of existence, it was continued for the next 4 years by a group of dedicated former members spearheaded by Jim Gage.
SAA Takes the Reins
The reins were passed to the Saugerties Athletic Association in 1974 and persisted through 1987. During this time, Jim Gage was President and Jack Keeley was the Secretary and Treasurer. They sponsored this popular event for the next 13 years, (1987) until the Saugerties Sports Hall of Fame Club was officially formed by Jim Gage and Jack Keeley. The Club consisted of all elected members of the Saugerties Sports Hall Of Fame.
The Hall of Fame TodayThe hall was strictly a men’s club until 1988, when Gladys Hutton became the first female member. As of 2024, there are over 300 individuals, including 12 women, who have been inducted into the Saugerties Sports Hall of Fame.
An ongoing process for over 7 decades with honorees dating back to the nineteenth century, the Saugerties Sports Hall of Fame Club is proud to continue the glowing tradition, begun in 1964, to give credit and honor those who have helped to write Saugerties sports history.
Hall of Fame Members
Saugerties Sports Hall of Fame Club Membership
Voting for Hall of Fame entry is cast by members attending an annual meeting, or by sending in an absentee ballot, whereas in the past a select committee would nominate the honorees. The questionnaire below provides the details of what members consider when casting their ballots.
Hall of Fame Questionnaire