(ONTARIO, California, June 3, 2024) – With the California Sports Hall of Fame just around the corner, the event’s founder and retired NFL Legend Christian Okoye will be signing copies of his book, “The Nigerian Nightmare,” June 8, from 2-4 p.m., in the California Welcome Center at Ontario Mills Mall.
Okoye, who played fullback for the Kansas City Chiefs from 1987 to 1992, won the NFL rushing title and earned first-team All Pro honors in 1989. He made two Pro Bowl and three playoff appearances, and was inducted into the Chiefs Hall of Fame in 2000.
In 2006, Okoye founded the California Sports Hall of Fame, and in collaboration with the Greater Ontario Sports & Entertainment Authority, has hosted an annual induction Gala featuring some of the biggest names in sports history.
The 2024 California Sports Hall of Fame Gala will be held June 30 at the Ontario Convention Center, followed by a Golf Classic, July 1, at Red Hill Country Club in Rancho Cucamonga. Ticket and partnership opportunities are available here.
This year’s inductees are Lakers Iron Man A.C. Green, who holds a National Basketball Association record for most regular-season games played; San Diego State and Rams running back Marshall Faulk, the National Football League’s Most Valuable Player in 2000; Scott Boras, who was named by Forbes magazine as the Most Powerful Sports Agent in the World; quarterback Rodney Peete, an All-American with the University of Southern California who played 15 years in the NFL; and Andrew D. Bernstein, who has served as the official sports photographer for most professional teams in Los Angeles and is the NBA’s longest-tenured photographer.
Roy Firestone (Hall of Fame Class of 2022) will be the Master of Ceremonies for the Inductee Gala.
“It is an honor to have the opportunity to celebrate California’s biggest sports legends. Again this year, our inductees have enhanced and transformed the experience for fans and entire communities, and helped to make California the center of the American sports scene,” Okoye said.
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CALIFORNIA SPORTS HALL OF FAME
The California Sports Hall of Fame, a non-profit organization, is operated by the Greater Ontario Sports & Entertainment Authority, and was founded in 2006 by Christian Okoye, former all-pro running back for the Kansas City Chiefs. With support from some of the biggest names in sports from the State of California, this influential organization was formed to honor our sports heroes, support struggling athletes, highlight California Sports history and promote education through sports. The organization assists young struggling athletes and Olympic hopefuls who cannot support themselves while training for competitions. Once a year, an induction ceremony is held to honor the accomplishments and contributions of the men and women who have excelled in their respective areas of sports and sports media in the State of California first, nationally and worldwide. For more information visit: CaliforniaSportsHallOfFame.org
GREATER ONTARIO SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT AUTHORITY
The Greater Ontario Sports & Entertainment Authority (GOSports), powered by Greater Ontario California (GOCAL), is proud to be the cornerstone for all sports-related activities in the region. The Authority works hand-in-hand with GOCAL to find and secure hospitality support for major sporting events in the region. For more Information visit GO-CAL.org.