Rochester sports legends named to Red Wings' Walk of Fame

Next month, there will be new additions to the concourse at ESL Ballpark.

The Rochester Red Wings announced their 2026 Walk of Fame induction class on Monday, in a group that includes over a dozen local sports figures significant to the Rochester area.

Honorees are selected based on a public nomination process that takes place each spring.

Among the special distinctions, the 2006 ROC Bowling All-stars and the 2023-2025 Hobart men's hockey teams are "Teams of the Ages," while Bristol Mountain earned the Dan Guilfoyle Chairman's Choice Award.

Rochester legends: Find previous Walk of Fame induction classes

The Red Wings created the Walk of Fame and its commemorative bricks in 1997, to recognize local sports legends that have "made a monumental impact on the community through their achievements in the Rochester-area sports scene."

This year's induction ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 2 prior to the Red Wings' 1:05 p.m. game against the Syracuse Mets.

Here are this year's individual inductees:

Ernie Clement

Brighton native is an All-Star infielder for the Toronto Blue Jays. Last year, Clement set an MLB record for postseason hits (30) as the Blue Jays reached Game 7 of the World Series.

Cindy D'Errico

Byron-Bergen girls volleyball coach led the Bees to three straight New York state titles (2004 to 2006) and five Section V titles. She was inducted into the New York Volleyball Coaches Association hall of fame in 2017.

Bobby Dierna III

Wayne graduate is SUNY Cortland's first two-time Division III national champion. He finished his collegiate career with a 106-9 record, which includes an undefeated senior season. In high school, Dierna won the 96-pound state title as a freshman and was the 135-pound runner-up as a senior, when he was also All-Greater Rochester Wrestler of the Year.

Keith Downing

Former Fairport quarterback led the Red Raiders to the 1992 state title and later played at Syracuse. Downing was named to the Section V Football Hall of Fame in 2017.

Pete Guelli

The Chief Operating Officer for the Buffalo Bills and Sabres, Guelli is an Aquinas graduate.

Chayse Ierlan

An accomplished goalie in both lacrosse and hockey, Ierlan led Victor to state titles in both sports. He later attended Cornell, where he was once the Ivy League Goalie of the Year.

TD Ierlan

Arguably the greatest FOGO to ever lace them up on a lacrosse field, Ierlan led Victor to multiple state titles. His college career, which included stops at Albany, Yale and Denver, wrapped with an NCAA record in faceoff wins.

Chris Lillis

Pittsford native is a two-time Olympic gold medalist in skiing. He also captured multiple World Championship medals, and at 17 years old became the youngest male skier to win the FIS Aerials World Cup event.

Denny Miles

Head coach for several programs at Wellsville, including baseball, boys basketball and soccer. Miles is New York state's all-time winningest baseball coach.

Katy Nesbitt

Bishop Kearney graduate is one of the world's most accomplished soccer officials. She's worked both men's and women's FIFA World Cup tournaments, the first female to official the former.

Dan Panaggio

Accomplished basketball coach has excelled at the high school, Division I college and professional levels. Panaggio's coaching stops include McQuaid, the Quad City Thunder (CBA), the Portland Trail Blazers and Los Angeles Lakers.

Jamie Schneider

Spencerport girls soccer coach pushed the Rangers to a Section V girls soccer record of 10 straight titles. That streak includes three state titles. Schneider has an all-time record of 284-114-37. He was named the United Soccer Coaches national coach of the year in 2023 following an undefeated season and state title.

Isaiah Stewart

McQuaid graduate and former high school All-American was drafted 16th overall by the Detroit Pistons in 2020 after a successful stint at the University of Washington. Stewart, who averaged 10 points and five rebounds last season, was recently traded to the Memphis Grizzlies.

Joe Thyroff

Pittsford Sutherland tennis coach has more than 500 career dual match wins and numerous Section V titles. Thyroff has also been a Section V sport coordinator and the state's boys tennis coordinator.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Rochester sports legends named to Red Wings' Walk of Fame