LAKE PLACID, N.Y. -- I will never do anything in my life important enough to be reconized like this. I cannot imagine the honor this brings with it.
It's not just working with the Olympic organizations and sports either. These four people are being honored by Lake Placid for their efforts in the community, serving on boards, coaching kids, even business ventures.
Congrats to them all. What an honor.
Details from ORDA:
The Lake Placid Hall of Fame Committee has named its nominees for induction to the Lake Placid Hall of Fame.
The inductees for the 2016 class include Dennis Allen, Jim La Valley, Caroline Draper Lussi, and Roby Politi. The 2016 nominees will be inducted into the Hall of Fame, which can be found in the Conference Center at Lake Placid.
The 33rd Annual Induction Banquet will be held Nov. 12, 2016 at the Conference Center at Lake Placid, and is scheduled to begin with a cash bar at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m. Tickets are $38 and are now available at the Olympic Center box office through Tuesday, Nov. 8.
The Lake Placid Hall of Fame began in 1983 and has inducted over 100 individuals, as well as the members of the 1948 U.S. Olympic four-man bobsled team and the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team. Permanent plaques commemorating each member are on display in the Conference Center at Lake Placid.
During his more than 35-year career in Lake Placid working for the Olympic Authority Dennis Allen has been involved in countless national and international figure skating, ice hockey, and speed skating events as well as numerous concerts and conventions. As a native of Lake Placid, he began his sports and event administrative career in 1978 when he was hired as an administrative assistant for ice sports -during the 1980 Olympic Winter Games. Allen was also a consultant and field of play supervisor, overseeing ice preparations for both short track speed skating and figure skating, for both the 2002 and 2006 Olympic Winter Games. Over the years he has been involved with ice hockey, as both a coach and official, working closely with the Lake Placid Youth Athletic Association.
Jim La Valley has represented Tupper Lake and the Adirondack region in a number of different roles. In recent years, La Valley helped to form the group known as ARISE. This group has been responsible for the re-opening of Big Tupper Ski Area and continues to work on re-energizing the local economy. He has been the driving force for ADK Works, an initiative that has launched state-wide awareness for the economic struggles many Adirondackers face. La Valley has invested heavily in the area in an effort to help transform Tupper Lake and is the owner of the successful real estate company, La Valley Real Estate, along with one of the town’s newest businesses, Big Tupper Brewing.
Caroline Draper Lussi, has represented Lake Placid in the alpine ski community for decades as a former international competitor, twice Junior Eastern Champion, and a pre-Olympics competitor at Squaw Valley in 1960. Lussi volunteered for 20 years as an alpine ski official and helped organize the Alpine events for the 1980 Olympic Winter Games in Lake Placid. For 48 years, she has been the Chief Financial Officer for the Lake Placid Vacation Corporation and has contributed to the success of several individuals and organizations in the region. Lussi has been involved for many years, serving and volunteering her time on several Board of Directors, including: Lake Placid Hospital, Adirondack Garden, Lake Placid Shoreowners Association, Adirondack Chapter Nature Conservancy, and Paul Smith’s College.
Roby Politi, a native of Lake Placid has been a significant contributor to the business, civic, and athletic profile of the Olympic Village. His civic duties as a community leader has spanned over 20 years and has been elected to five terms as North Elba Town Supervisor. He has also served as Vice Chairman of the Essex County Board of Supervisors, Mayor of the Village of Lake Placid, Town Councilman and North Elba Town Magistrate. His athletic achievements include being a two-time NCAA Division I All-American in Alpine Skiing at St. Lawrence University, as well as a three-time member of the All East Ski Team. In 1971, he was selected as a member of the U.S. – FISU Ski Team and received the Sports Illustrated athletic “Award of Merit” for Faces in the Crowd. An active member of the Lake Placid business community, Politi has operated a well-established real estate company, Merrill L. Thomas, Inc. for over 33 years and has been honored as Realtor of the Year.
To be considered for induction into the Lake Placid Hall of Fame, individuals should be past or current residents of the Olympic region or have some significant connection to the area. Carefully selected by Hall of Fame Committee members, all nominees must have made significant sports, cultural or civic contributions to the region, or their endeavors must have enhanced the historical heritage of the area. The 2016 Lake Placid Hall of Fame Committee includes: Ron Butler, Sue Cameron, Ben Cross, Diana Friedlander, Cindy Gallagher, Jack Irvin, Jack Laduke, and Carrie Wardlaw.