Gov. Snyder Surprises Dearborn Athletes; Welcomes Brother-in-Law into Hall of Fame

Student athletes in Dearborn were treated to a surprise visit by Gov. Rick Snyder on Sunday during the 61st annual sports award ceremony at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center.

Roughly 45 minutes into the program, the governor walked out on stage amid cheers to welcome his brother-in-law, John Kerr, to the Dearborn Parks & Recreation Department's Hall of Fame.

Kerr, was one of three recepients nominated to the Hall of Fame for his contributions to youth athletics in the city.

"It's great to be with you here today," Snyder said. "For those that don't know, John Kerr is my brother-in-law, so today we have a nerd recognizing an athlete."

Kerr has a long history with the Parks & Recreation Department. He began in the 1960s playing in the Junior Baseball Program at Ford Field, as well as the city's flag football and youth hockey leagues.

In 1969, Kerr began a 29-year career in the city's slow-pitch softball leagues. Kerr also managed and played on coed adult softball teams from 1983 to 1997, and helped his teams win several city championships and two national titles.

"I've known John for almost 30 years. The thing about John is it's not just the sports that's so exciting. It's his passion and love for sports and his teammates and the opportunity to have fun that's so invigorating," Snyder said.

Other inductees in the Hall of Fame this year include Edward Attee and Ronnie Berry.

One of the many highlights of the awards ceremony was the selection of this year's recipient of the Sports Legends Award.

The Sports Legend Award, created by the Dearborn Recreation Commission in 2000, is bestowed upon Dearborn residents who distinguish themselves in sports beyond the level of Recreation Department-sponsored activities.

This year's honoree was Sherman Collins, a longtime basketball, swimming and tennis coach in the community.

Collins began his coaching career at Bryant Junior High School in 1955 before moving to Henry Ford Community College to coach the basketball and tennis teams for 26 years. From 1965 to 1979, Collins led the Dearborn Hawks tennis team to 15 straight state championships.

"What a life. I'm being honored for doing something I love doing," Collins said. "There's an old saying that 'if you love life, life will love you back.'"

In addition to the Hall of Fame awards, the department also awarded Dearborn High School students Ollie Ajami and Ghada Bazzi the "Athlete of the Year" Award.

For more information on sports programs in the city, visit the Dearborn Parks & Recreation Department website.

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