Hall of Fame Luncheon Club

2026-27 Speakers

September

14: Mark Schlabach (Berlin Hiland Head Basketball Coach)

21: Mark Milano, Rod Strata & Jim Ballard (High School Football Playbook)

28: Jensen Lewis (Former Cleveland Guardians' pitcher; Broadcaster)

October

5: Tim Mead (Walsh University Head Baseball Coach)

12: Roe Goldstein (Echelon Media Sports)

23: Ron Yary (Class of 2001 Hall of Famer) - *event hosted at Pro Football Hall of Fame

26: Dr. Leslie Heaphy, PHD. (Associate Professor Kent State University; Negro League & Women's Basketball Historian)

November

2: Mark Johnson (Ohio High School Athletic Association Girls Flag Football)

9: Jim Tressel (Ohio's Lt. Governor; Former Youngstown State and Ohio State Head Coach)

16: Jose Davis (Former Arena & Canadian Football Player)

23: Heather Lyke (Athletic Director at Syracuse University)

30: Doug Ute (Ohio High School Athletic Association Commissioner)

December

7: Randy Clark (Former Purdue Boilermaker & 8-year NFL Player; Canton Outside of Canton)

14: B.J. Payne (Hilton Head High School Head Football Coach)

21: Brian Polian (John Carroll University Head Football Coach)

28: David Morgan (Sports Author)

January-May: TBA

History of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Luncheon Club

One of the main reasons why the Pro Football Hall of Fame is in Canton is because of the community spirit and support. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, many cities across the country expressed interest in having a hall of fame devoted to professional football. Canton was the only community that put together an impressive fundraising drive. Nearly $400,000 was raised to have the Pro Football Hall of Fame built.

About the same time, former Hall of Fame Board Chairman Earl Schreiber — joined by Hank Critchfield, Lin Houston, Red Ryan, Joe Cross, Harry Van Almen, Wilbur Jacobs, Peach Thomas and Bob Schreiber — after attending the Agonis Luncheon Club in Dayton, Ohio, formed the Pro Football Hall of Fame Luncheon Club.

The first meeting of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Luncheon Club was held at Benders Restaurant in downtown Canton in 1963. Soon thereafter, the venue was switched to Lakeshore Restaurant. Membership grew quickly, and after using Topp’s Chalet for a short time, meetings moved to the current site at Tozzi's on 12th restaurant, only a few miles from the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame Luncheon Club, with more than 500 members, is considered one of the largest of its kind in the country. Meetings are held each Monday from mid-September through the middle of May. The national prominence of the Hall of Fame, coupled with the strong support of the club, continues to produce a remarkable list of national speakers on a weekly basis.

A club that knows no strangers, members enjoy fellowship, good food and interesting speakers. Couple that with the enthusiasm of the member audience and sports fans and the Hall of Fame Luncheon Club is THE place to be on Mondays during the season.

When the Luncheon Club was formed, the bylaws stipulated that the purpose of the club was to help support the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Originally, that support was reflected by members serving as drivers during the Hall of Fame's Enshrinement Weekend. The club’s next project focused on devoting a portion of the membership dues to help pay for the Hall of Famers’ rings, and the club also pledged $50,000 over a five-year period to the Hall's national fundraising campaign.

Part of the proceeds from the weekly meal sales also is used to sponsor the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s “Seniors Day” (62 and older) on Tuesdays at the museum.

Malone University, the University of Mount Union and Walsh University offer free admission to regular-season athletic events with a current Luncheon Club membership card. Aside from showing support to the Hall of Fame, this sponsorship also attracts attention to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Luncheon Club through media coverage of this splendid event.

In addition, each member of the Luncheon Club will receive an annual pass that will allow the individual unlimited free admission to the Pro Football Hall of Fame throughout the year and a 20% discount at the Hall's Retail Store.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame Luncheon Club continues to contribute its support to the Hall of Fame museum while offering first-rate programs each and every week to its members.

Current Board:  2026-2027

Board of Directors

President: Keith Parretta

Vice President: Bill Reed

Secretary: Tim Richard

Treasurer: Nick Mazzocca

Financial Secretary: Wade Hostetler

Pro Football Hall of Fame Board representative: R.J. Van Almen

Past President: Jeff Burner  

Directors (2-year Term): 

Dennis Mazella

Frank Cilona

Rose Ann Manzella

Hall of Fame Luncheon Club Life Members:

Gene Dechellis

Wade Hostetler

Jim Mitchell

Jeff Thornberry

R.J. Van Almen

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