Hewlett Football Star Among Inductees of Jewish Sports Hall of Fame

Exceptional Jewish athletes and sports figures — including a football star from — from all over the country convened on March 27 at the in Commack for the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame and Museum Induction Ceremony.

Originally conceived as a way of preserving history and inspiring the young Jewish community, the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame is stronger than ever in its 19th year, continuing to honor and celebrate the accomplishments, careers and heritage of Jewish individuals in the sports world, according to members of the organization.

Honorees and inductees spanning three generations mingled and shared their sports stories at the ceremony, surrounded by photographs and memorabilia of the Jewish athletes who preceded and inspired them.

"We have people from all over the country, athletes who are really an impressive bunch of people," said hall of fame chairperson Lynne Kramer. "Every year, I'm proud. You see these people and you're just impressed."

The annual hall of fame ceremony honors the cream of the crop of Jewish names in the sports world, and to be inducted is a huge honor. Each year, candidates undergo a nomination process, and inductees are chosen based on their recognition status and accomplishments in their respective sport, and whether they identify as Jewish.

This year's honorees covered a wide range of sports, and included two Long Island natives.

Hal Richman paved the way for sports simulation games when, as an 11-year-old, he invented the wildly successful Strat-O-Matic game in his Great Neck bedroom. Fifty years later, both Richman and Strat-O-Matic are baseball legends on a local and national scale.

"In my 50 years of work, this is perhaps the most important award I’ve ever received, and it's coming at the very end of my career," Richman said just before being inducted. "It’s very gratifying.”

Also in attendance was Hewlett football star Niv Sultan, who was honored with the Jules D. Mazor Award for Outstanding Male Jewish High School Scholar/Athlete of the Year.

The 6'4", 245-lb. athlete was the 2010 Jay Fielder Top Scholar-Athlete in Nassau County, and has recently played for the Israel Football League. in the fall. He could not be reached for comment.

During his post-invocation speech, Rabbi William Berman spoke about the stereotype Jewish Athletes are often compared to. "Jewish athletes break the stereotype — the stereotype that Jews are nerdy or bookish. No offense to nerds — I am one," he joked.

He went on to commend all the honorees and inductees, saying, "To this day, when we see a Jewish athlete do well, we have a certain kind of pride."

Other 2011 inductees included three-time U.S. Olympian and 2010 gold medalist bobsledder Steve Mesler, Olympic synchronized swimmer and aquatics innovator Jane Katz and former San Francisco 49er Harris Barton.