Last Thursday, ESPN hosted the Fan Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, honoring the program’s three new inductees: Barbara Rust, “The Sign Lady”; Canaan Sandy and Pierce Wallace, “The Georgia Joker.” (Joe Faraoni / ESPN Images)
The second annual event was hosted by SportsCenter anchor Hannah Storm at ESPN’s Main Campus Green in Bristol, Conn., where the inductees received their trophies. (Rust, who couldn’t attend the ceremony, watched via live stream and recorded her speech remotely at the Kings’ facility in Sacramento.) (Joe Faraoni / ESPN Images)
The event also honored the late Elizabeth “Lib” Dooley, the Hall’s first-ever “honorary inductee” and a devoted Boston Red Sox fan who attended over 4,000 consecutive home games over 55 seasons from her front-row box seat. Dooley, who passed away in June of 2000, was represented by her nephew Owen Boyd who spoke of his aunt’s love for the team, her friendship with former Red Sox players Dom DiMaggio and Ted Williams and the cookies she offered to players at every game.
Sandy was surprised to find out Storm, one of his favorite ESPN personalities, was hosting the event. When he spotted Storm, Canaan ran across the field in tears and hugged her. (Joe Faraoni / ESPN Images)
“Long after today’s ceremony, the Fan Hall of Fame will maintain its commitment to honoring the world’s greatest fans,” said ESPN’s Senior Vice President of Marketing Aaron Taylor. “It’s not a one-year program. It’s not a sweepstakes. It’s an institution that will sustain.” (Joe Faraoni / ESPN Images)
The ceremony concluded with Storm alongside Taylor, unveiling the inductees’ names engraved above three stadium chairs on the ESPN lawn. (Joe Faraoni / ESPN Images)
EDITOR’S NOTE: Learn more about the Class of 2013 and the Fan Hall Of Fame.