BY SCOTT HADDOW
Pat Ptaszynski felt a warm glow come over her as she talked about her late husband Leo at the House of Kin Sudbury Sports Hall of Fame luncheon at the Caruso Club on Wednesday.
The luncheon was held to introduce 11 new inductees (all posthumous) into the Sudbury Sports Hall of Fame and launch the organization's new website - www.hoksudburysportshalloffame.com .
A teardrop trickled out of Ptaszynski's eye as she recalled how much her husband loved the sport of tennis and how greatly he contributed to the local scene.
"He would be very proud," Ptaszynski said. "He loved to help young athletes in any way he could. He was well liked in the community and loved to talk sports. He loved to make people laugh."
Leo was inducted into the builder's category for his work in helping found the Sudbury Tennis Club and helping countless athletes pursue their dream of tennis.
Joining Leo in the Hall under the builder's division was Bill Duncan (for curling and helping build the Sudbury Granite Club). In the administration category,  Rob Campbell (a force on the provincial and national swimming scene) and Fred Rams (swimming) were honoured. In the player's category, Sam Bettio (hockey), Frank Bell (curling, track and field, and basketball), Moe Bartoli (hockey), Ron Dussiaume (hockey) and Roy Maud (baseball) were also inducted. The Sudbury Star was inducted into the corporate category.
Maud's wife, Mary, was in attendance and was delighted over the honour.
"What can I say about Roy...he was all man," she said. "He loved his sports and was dedicated. It's terrific he's being inducted and it's great for our family to enjoy this moment. We're all happy for him."
On top of the inductions, the House of Kin also unveiled their new website, designed to give people a better understanding of the Sudbury Sports Hall of Fame, inducted members and the long, rich history of sports in the local community.
"It's a great feeling," House of Kin founder Chris Sheridan said. "The committee worked hard to get this done and it's going to be something special for the community. It will allow people to help us provide more information. It's a big plus."
The website represents the completion of the first step in a three-phase process to bring the Sudbury Sports Hall of Fame and Sports Celebrity Dinner to the forefront. The organization will now move onto the second stage, which is gathering artifacts and memorabilia.
"It's only going to grow and get better," Sheridan said.
The luncheon and announcements had the community buzzing.
"It's amazing news," Ward 5 Councillor Ron Dupuis said. "It's important this is done because Greater Sudbury has a rich and proud history in sports. So many people have come out of Sudbury and left their mark in sports around the world...everyone needs to know this information and now they can."
