These surprises are part of what makes Hornell Sports Night special

Former Major League Baseball pitcher and Hornell Dodger Tim Hudson interacts with guests at the 50th anniversary Hornell Sports Night Saturday, April 18, 2026 at The Main Place.

Some committee members, like John Rosemier and Robert Peisher, attended events in their youth and were inspired to get involved as adults. Brewer was recruited to the committee by his Wegmans store manager, Ron Lockwood.

"I remember the days we’d go to the back bar and it was more quaint. That was one of my first experiences," Brewer said. "There was only like 25 people back there with all the celebrities. It has grown over the years and now we’re up to 380 people."

The event now packs The Main Place full, with the autograph session followed by dinner and remarks from the athletes.

"There’s been some great speeches along the way, and some not so great speeches," Peisher said. "Ryan Leaf was very good a few years ago. It has been a real positive event and gone smooth. The great speeches provide positive messaging for the youth."

Former Syracuse men's basketball head coach Jim Boeheim interacts with guests including Sportsperson of the Year Jamie Freeland at the 50th anniversary Hornell Sports Night Saturday, April 18, 2026 at The Main Place.

Some of the athletes, like Gossage, have also gone above and beyond. Scavo was driving former big leaguer Gary Carter back to his hotel in Rochester one year when he mentioned that his mother was a diehard Mets fan, and maybe even more fond of Gary Carter than the Mets.

"It didn’t matter what she was doing, even if she was rolling a meatball for Sunday dinner and Gary Carter was up to bat, she came running," Scavo said. "Gary Carter called her and spoke to her for probably 20 minutes on the phone. That was great."

Other connections extend beyond the night itself. Back in 2012, professional wrestler Mick Foley promised that year's Achievement Award winner a trip to a wrestling match. Less than a month later, Foley picked up Noah Denning in Hornell for a trip to a WWE event in Rochester.

Sports Night has welcomed a long list of Buffalo Bills over the years, including Jim Kelly, Andre Reed, Steve Tasker and Stevie Johnson. Buffalo Sabres, New York Yankees and Mets have also been popular guests.

For Rosemier, though, it all comes back to the local honorees.

"We’ve had a great guest list over the years, some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment," Rosemier said. "As great as our celebrity guest list has been, it really comes back to being able to do good things and honor the kids. The sportspeople are contributors to that. It’s great that we’re able to continue doing this and give back every year."

This article originally appeared on The Evening Tribune: Hornell Sports Night has featured surprise celebrity visits, calls