The Detroit News’s Tony Paul spoke with several men who will be inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame on Thursday night, including long-time Michigan State Spartans coach Rick Comley and long-time NHL broadcaster Mike “Doc” Emrick:
Comley, who coached college hockey for nearly 40 years, winning national championships at Michigan State and Northern Michigan, is part of a hockey-packed Class of 2023 for the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame, which will induct its newest members Thursday night during a gala at MotorCity Casino Hotel.
He joins the likes of Red Wings legend Henrik Zetterberg, Michigan State Hobey Baker Award-winner (and longtime NHL goalie) Ryan Miller, legendary broadcaster Mike “Doc” Emrick and Colleen Howe, the late wife of Gordie Howe, affectionately known as Mrs. Hockey.
Other members of the class include Pistons great Richard “Rip” Hamilton, Michigan softball’s Sierra Romero, Michigan State football’s Lorenzo White and Michigan football’s LaMarr Woodley. Howe is receiving the contributor award from the Hall of Fame, while Dawn Riley, a longtime sailboat racer, is getting the Hall of Fame’s legend award.
Tickets are sold out for the star-studded induction ceremony.
“Did you see ‘Field of Dreams’?” said Emrick, the St. Clair resident who got his start calling hockey games in Port Huron, before going on to a 40-year career in the NHL. “So, little Archie (‘Moonlight Graham’) hitches a ride and winds up at the ‘Field of Dreams,’ and all these greats are out there warming up and he is aghast and he identifies Mel Ott and Gil Hodges. … To be asked to be in the same group as Ernie Harwell and Van Patrick, and Bud Lynch, and Bruce Martyn, and all those legends in broadcasting, that’s pretty special.”
