From Hon. Paul Paruk, Chairman
(313) 407-3300 pparuk@polishsportshof.com

January 9, 2006

National Polish-American Sports Hall Website Wins Award

The National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame received a first place award for its new website from the International Association of Sports Museums and Halls of Fame (www.sportshalls.com) at their 2005 annual meeting held in October in Calgary , Alberta . The website which allows individuals to access the heroics of over 100 sports stars of Polish-American descent was recognized for its creativity and innovative use of various media.

The International Association of Sports Museums and Halls of Fame (IASMHF) brings together institutions worldwide, assisting them in the development, organization and promotion of sports history.

According to the Hon. Paul Paruk, chairman of the hall, “The National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame is honored to be recognized by its peer association which includes all the major halls of fame such as the National Football Hall of Fame ( Canton , OH ) and the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame ( Cooperstown , NY ). We have worked very hard over the last couple of years to reach out and increase awareness of the outstanding achievements of Polish heritage in the field of sports and the web is a great way to educate the entire community."

The website now allows anyone with internet access to learn of the accomplishments of such contemporary Polish-American greats as NHL player and coach Ed Olczyk and Duke University basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski as well as those of athletes from a bygone era such as the first Polish-American major league baseball player, Oscar Bielaski. Another highlight of the website is the complete video of the1934 middleweight boxing championship fight of Teddy Yarosz. This fight against Vince Dundee was the pinnacle of Yarosz's great career.

The site contains complete biographies on each of its inductees, full-color photos of trophies, medals, uniforms, bats, hockey sticks, etc. which have been donated to the hall's museum by its members, and video interviews of some inductees. Simply click on www.polishsportshof.com .

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