Broward County Sports Hall of Fame Inducts 2010 Class of All-Stars

Notre Dame’s all-time leading rusher, three accomplished rodeo brothers, a former Florida Panthers star goal tender, a top-rated female golfer, and one of Florida State University’s unsurpassed great quarterbacks, head up the 2010 Broward County Sports Hall of Fame, presented by the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau Sports Development office. These seven greats will be inducted at the annual gala on November 9, 2010, at the Broward County Convention Center.

“The commitment and success these inductees have accomplished throughout their careers are the reasons they were selected to join the Broward County Sports Hall of Fame.  All seven of them have set the standard of excellence and impacted our community in a positive way, by shining a light on Broward County through their successes,” said John Webb, Sr. Vice President for the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau.

The Broward County Sports Hall of Fame was established to honor and recognize coaches, athletes and pioneers who are, or have been, Broward County residents. The seven inductees were nominated by Broward County residents and chosen by twelve members of the Broward County Sports Hall of Fame Committee. They join 92 members including Dara Torres, Chris Evert, Whitey Ford, Wayne Huizenga, Michael Irvin, and Dan Marino, among others.

The Broward County Sports Hall of Fame gala to honor this year’s inductees begins with a cocktail reception and silent auction at 5:30pm; followed by dinner and presentations at 7pm. Tickets are $55 per person or $500 for a table of 10. VIP tables with priority seating are available for $800. For ticket information call the Broward County Sports Development office at (

The honorable inductees include:

Danny McManus – Football
This South Broward High School graduate went on to become one of Florida State University’s all-time great quarterbacks, which included being named the Fiesta Bowl’s MVP and College Football’s Exemplary Player of the Year in 1987.  In 1988, McManus was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs.  In 1990, he began a 16-year career in the Canadian Football League, passing for over 53,000 yards, which still ranks him in the history books as one of the top 10 (passing yards) quarterbacks in professional football history.  He led Winnipeg, Edmonton, and Hamilton, of the Canadian Football League, to six Grey Cup Championship games and won three, naming him the Most Outstanding Player in 1999 and the Grey Cup MVP.  He also received the CFL’s 2004 Fan’s Choice Award and the 2005 Tom Pate Memorial Award. Following his career, McManus spent one year as an analyst for TSN’s CFL broadcast coverage before joining the Tiger-Cats staff.  McManus and his wife Kathy have two sons.

Patti Rizzo – Golf
A Broward County native and Weston resident has had an outstanding amateur, collegiate, and professional golf career.  Rizzo’s amateur career was highlighted by finishing second in an LPGA event after a five way tie at the Florida Lady Citrus Open in Orlando.  She won the World Amateur Championship and six other elite International amateur events, including the 1981 US Women’s Amateur and the 1980 and 1981 A1AW Women’s Collegiate Championships, while also earning All American honors at the University of Miami.  She was Golf Digest‘s top rated amateur in the country in 1980 and Golf Magazine‘s top ranked collegiate player in 1981.

In 1982, Rizzo joined the LPGA and was named Rookie of the Year with five top ten finishes. She won her first of many LPGA tournaments in 1983, at the Boston Five Classic.  She carded her career best score of 64 while winning the LPGA Corning Classic.  Rizzo played professionally in Japan and became one of the most popular foreign players. After a successful coaching stint at Barry University, she was named the Head Women’s Golf Coach at the University of Miami this past summer. Rizzo has two children.

John Vanbiesbrouck – Ice Hockey
The former Florida Panther star goal tender and NHL Hall of Famer began his professional career at 18 years of age after being drafted by the NY Rangers in 1981.  After playing goal for the US at the World Championships and goal tending in the CHL (from 1982-84), he won the Terry Sawchuck Award for Best Goalie.  When he led the Tulsa Oilers to the CHL Championships and the Adams Cup, the “Beezer” was named the CHL’s MVP.  In 1993, after playing 400 games with the Rangers, he joined the Panthers, as a result of the expansion draft.  As a Florida Panther, he became one of the most popular and loved players.  The “Beezer” lead the Panthers to the Stanley Cup finals.  He is the second American goaltender to record 300 NHL wins and tallied a total of 402 total victories as a player for the Rangers, Panthers, Flyers, Islanders, and Devils. Vanbiesbrouck has two charities he participates in: The Paralysis Fund and the ADD Foundation, which he started for people with attention deficit disorder. John currently lives in Ontario, Canada with his wife, Rosalinde, and their three children.

Weekley Brothers – Rodeo
Daniel, Troy, and Wayne
The Weekley Brothers settled in Davie in 1960, and are long-time Southwest Ranches residents. Their Rodeo accomplishments and leadership have touched millions of people in the sport. They have competed at all levels, garnering championships in almost every category (bull riding, bare back bronc riding, and tie down roping).  They helped put Davie and South Florida on the rodeo map by forming “Five Star Rodeo, Inc.” and later started “Weekley Brothers Davie Pro Rodeo LLC.” Together, they have produced over 250 Pro Rodeo and Bull Riding competitions in Davie. The Weekley Brothers also produce the Southeastern Circuit Finals Rodeo in Davie.

The Brothers are known nationally for the Legendary Stock of Five Star Rodeo, which includes a total of 16 world class bulls and several highly respected Bare Back and Saddle Broncs.

The cowboys are part of various charities/organizations in South Florida and keep the western heritage alive and kicking in the Town of Davie. Between the three of them, they have eight children and fourteen grandchildren.

Autry Denson – Football
As a Broward County all-time leading rusher and Nova High School alumni, Autry Denson was named to virtually every high school All American team.  Denson took his talents to Notre Dame and the four year starter was the 1999 Gator Bowl MVP.  He was a three time team MVP and the All-Time Notre Dame leading rusher.

After graduating from Notre Dame with a management degree, he was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  He went on to play five years in the NFL for the Buccaneers, Miami Dolphins, Chicago Bears, and Detroit Lions.  He also played in the Canadian Football League for the Montreal Allouttes.

Denson is a great role model for today’s youth and a very successful head football coach at Pope John Paul II High School in Boca Raton.  He gives back to the community by being involved in several charities.  He is the founder of POISE, which focuses on student-athlete development.

Denson and his wife, Elaine, live in Coconut Creek and have four children.

For more information on the Sports Hall of Fame, contact the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, 100 East Broward Boulevard, Suite 200, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301, visit www.sunny.org/sportshalloffame or call (

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