Riverhead Athletic Club seeks nominations for new hall of fame

The Riverhead Athletic Club is accepting nominations for a new hall of fame that will honor former student-athletes, coaches and other exceptional individuals who have contributed significantly to the school district’s athletic programs.

“It’s really an amazing opportunity to recognize people that have given to the Blue Waves athletics, but also it’s one of several events that we’re looking to help build the community up,” said Riverhead Athletic Club President Quinn Alexander.

The club is accepting nominations until Aug. 10. Former Riverhead student athletes with more than five years, athletic coaches for Riverhead sports teams and other individuals who have contributed to the athletics programs are eligible for nomination.

To be eligible for the hall of fame, candidates must:

• Convey the essence of what it means to be a Riverhead athlete while also representing the best qualities of what makes Riverhead athletics special.
• Have gone above and beyond normal expectations to contribute to the legacy of our sports programs and have left it better than when they found it.

Other criteria and more information about how to apply can be found on the Riverhead Athletic Club’s website. 

Alexander said the club wants to induct four or five individuals this year and make the hall of fame induction ceremony an annual tradition. She noted that many other school districts have established similar honors for their athletic alumni.

“One thing that the board and I have discussed is that it’s so important that if we’re going to get everybody to rally behind athletics and build that community, it’s important to bring people back for all kinds of different reasons,” Alexander said. “Not just ones that have young ones rising up to the programs and people that have kids that are scholastically involved, but also being able to celebrate people who have built that tradition up, who have graduated in years past.” 

“It’s so valuable to create that community support and tradition by celebrating the achievement of our graduates and our alumni,” Alexander said. 

The club plans to work with the school district to designate a physical location on school grounds to commemorate the inductees, Alexander said. Their names and accomplishments will also be showcased on the Riverhead Athletic Club’s website, she said.

The club aims to honor the inaugural inductees during homecoming weekend, Alexander said. The newly formed booster club also wants to host a sports equipment drive and athletic clinics during homecoming weekend.

According to outgoing district Director of Athletics Brian Sacks, a hall of fame for student-athletes once existed, but any records or markers of it have since been lost. His understanding is that the program became defunct in the late 90s or early 2000s.

“The whole idea is that we honor and recognize our past athletes and coaches, and people who are in the athletic community,” Sacks said. “I think it’s a great step forward.”