The Chicago Metropolitan Sports Association ( CMSA ) welcomed its third class of honorees to the sports league's hall of fame in front of about 100 people on Saturday night, March 28, at Spyner's Nightclub on the north side.
The class of 2009 is made up of ( from left ) : Mike McHale, Nancy "Mac" MacKenzie and Early Quintana. ( Photo by Ross Forman. )
"The three people for the class of 2009 have given back for years to CMSA, and also have made an impact on our community," said CMSA president Marcia Hill. "I can't put into words how much time each has put in trying to help others before themselves.
MacKenzie moved to Chicago in 1990 and has been an integral part of CMSA softball and volleyball. She also was a sports manager at the 2006 Gay Games in Chicago.
"It's an extreme honor," she said. "I'm very happy to see women represented in the Hall of Fame. It's cool, a very cool honor."
McHale has been a softball stalwart since 1988. He was elected to the Cook County Circuit Court in 2005, and he still plays for a C1 Sidetrack team.
"It's a tremendous honor," McHale said. "I'm very proud to be associated with CMSA. The association has done great things for our community. CMSA really gives the community a sense of family, a sense of belonging."
Quintana has been a CMSA bowler since the 1980s. He also has played softball and served as a coordinator for the bowling events at the 2006 Gay Games.
"In 28 years [ bowling for CMSA ] , I literally have made hundreds of friends," Quintana said.
The CMSA Hall of Fame committee consists of Hill, Carl Sharp, Dick Uyvari, Doug Malm, Peter Meyer and Steve Shaw.
The honorees were introduced by Uyvari ( for Quintana ) , David Bartnick ( McHale ) and Malia Miranda ( MacKenzie ) .
