
Hornell Sports Night has made a significant impact over its 50-year history, touching many lives beyond the attendees. Notably, former Yankees pitcher Goose Gossage visited a fan with cancer, showcasing the event's special moments.
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Hornell Sports Night has touched countless lives over its 50 years, but the impact isn't always limited to those lucky enough to have a seat inside The Main Place.
Committee member Rich Scavo has found that out firsthand on more than one occasion.
Back in 2018, Scavo was sitting at breakfast with former Yankees pitcher Goose Gossage after another successful Sports Night. Scavo detailed how Ellie Burzycki of Arkport, a big Yankees fan, had been diagnosed with cancer and wasn't feeling strong enough to attend the event.
Gossage didn't hesitate.
"We go to her house. I walked in. Alan (Ackley), my son in law who is 6-foot-7 walks in and I introduced him," Scavo recalled. "I said 'And right behind Alan, direct from the New York Yankees, is Goose Gossage.' Ellie and her daughter started screaming. Itâs stuff like that that makes it so worthwhile."
Former Buffalo Bills running back Willis McGahee interacts with guests at the 50th anniversary Hornell Sports Night Saturday, April 18, 2026 at The Main Place.
Sports Night celebrated its 50th anniversary April 18, marking half a century of bringing sports royalty to Hornell to rub elbows with locals, sign autographs, take photos and raise money for the Special Olympics and youth sports in the area.
The members of the Sports Night Committee serve as liaisons between the athletes and the public. They get to know the athletes a bit on long car rides from the airport. Longtime committee member Mike Brewer recalled memorable trips with Doc Gooden and Pat Lafontaine.
"Some of it you can talk about and some of it you canât print," Brewer joked. "Itâs surprising how much we put them on a pedestal, and then when youâre talking to them theyâre just regular people like me and you. So many of the guests weâve had here are just so down to earth. That is the key. That makes it nice."
Hornell Sports Night is an annual event that celebrates local sports and honors notable figures in the community.
Hornell Sports Night has been running for 50 years, making it a longstanding tradition in the community.
Goose Gossage is a former pitcher for the New York Yankees who made a surprise visit to a fan with cancer after a Sports Night event.
Hornell Sports Night positively impacts the community by bringing joy and support to local sports fans and honoring their contributions.

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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 weâd 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 weâre up to 380 people."
The event now packs The Main Place full, with the autograph session followed by dinner and remarks from the athletes.
"Thereâs 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 didnât 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.
"Weâve 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. Itâs great that weâre 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