Welcome to the Stone Skipping Hall of Fame located on Mackinac Island, Michigan. The Stone Skipping Hall of Fame recognizes and honors competitors, officials, and others who have made outstanding contributions to the sport of Stone Skipping. Click on the floor plan at left to visit the different rooms in the hall. We hope you enjoy your visit.
Mackinac Island Stone Skipping Hall of Fame Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Karl Rabe (krabe@comcast.net / 734.730.0168)
July 4, 2023
ERIC “THE VOICE” STEINER AND PAUL W. SMITH INDUCTED INTO THE MACKINAC ISLAND STONE SKIPPING HALL OF FAME
MACKINAC ISLAND, MI – Stone Skipping legends Eric “The Voice” Steiner and WJR broadcaster Paul W. Smith were inducted into the Mackinac Island Stone Skipping Hall of Fame on the occasion of the 55th Annual 4th of July Mackinac Island Stone Skipping and Gerplunking Contest at Windemere Beach on Mackinac Island, Michigan. “We are excited to welcome these two great ambassadors of the sport to the Hall of Fame”, said Hall of Fame Director Karl Rabe. Nominees for induction are cast in October and then inducted if they receive a minimum of two Plinks (affirmative votes from the Screening Committee) and six Pitty-Pats (affirmative votes from the Honors Committee).
Eric Steiner has been “The Voice” of Mackinac Island Stone Skipping for over 23 years. His live beach-front play-by-play commentary from the patio of Hotel Iroquois has entertained and educated throngs of stone skipping fans for almost a quarter century as professional stone skippers face off in the Invitation portion of the tournament conducted at high noon each year. After the death of legendary Michigan PR Man W. T. “Bill” Rabe, Eric carried on the PR torch, continuing to publicize the tournament world-wide. Under Eric’s tenure the 50th Annual Tournament was featured on NBC’s Today show and the 51st and 52nd Tournaments were broadcast on ESPN.
Paul W. Smith, award winning broadcaster, has used his 50,000 watt powered microphone at WJR (fittingly “The Great Voice of the Great Lakes”) to enthusiastically support Mackinac Island and Stone Skipping for well over 25 years. “Before meeting Paul in person”, writes Eric Steiner, “we conducted phone interviews. When we eventually met, I knew I had found my broadcasting partner. Receiving a text from Paul W at 4:50 in the morning confirmed that I had found a great friend.” Eric’s beach-front reports to Paul W. Smith on Detroit radio station WJR (760 AM) were a key element of the tournament’s longevity.
That partnership between Paul W. Smith and Eric “The Voice” Steiner culminated in one of the greatest public relations event ever for Mackinac Island Stone Skipping… the broadcast of the 52nd Annual Mackinac Island Tournament in 2020 on ESPN8: The Ocho with Paul W. Smith and Eric Steiner partnering beach side for play-by-play and color commentary.
Inductees to the Stone Skipping Hall of Fame are recognized by a skipping stone bearing their name and year of induction on the hall of fame trophy, the Tellefson Rock. The Mackinac Island Stone Skipping Hall of Fame is dedicated to recognizing competitors, officials, and others who have made a significant contribution to the sport of Stone Skipping. Visit the Hall of Fame online at misshof.com.
Mackinac Island Stone Skipping Hall of Fame Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Karl Rabe (krabe@comcast.net / 734.730.0168)
October 8, 2017
RUSS “ROCK BOTTOM” BYARS INDUCTED INTO THE MACKINAC ISLAND STONE SKIPPING HALL OF FAME
MACKINAC ISLAND, MI – Stone Skipping legend Russ “Rock Bottom” Byars was inducted into the Mackinac Island Stone Skipping Hall of Fame in a special induction ceremony held Saturday, September 23rd on the banks of the Allegheny River in Franklin, Pennsylvania. Shortly after, Russ succumbed to cancer on October 6, 2017.
Mackinac Island Stone Skipping Hall of Fame Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 1, 2017
GRAND HOTEL, RYBA’S FUDGE AND HOTEL IROQUOIS INDUCTED INTO THE MACKINAC ISLAND STONE SKIPPING HALL OF FAME
MACKINAC ISLAND, MI – In a Hall of Fame first, three Mackinac Island businesses were inducted into the Stone Skipping Hall of Fame Saturday at the annual Mackinac Island Stone Skipping and Gerplunking Club’s Winter Rules Committee meeting at the Heathers Club in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. “We are excited to welcome these three legendary ambassadors of the sport to the Hall of Fame”, said Hall of Fame Director Karl Rabe.
Mackinac Island Stone Skipping Hall of Fame Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 6, 2013
RONALD “BUD” COOPER AND MARILYN BLACK INDUCTED INTO THE MACKINAC ISLAND STONE SKIPPING HALL OF FAME
MACKINAC ISLAND, MI – Stone Skipping legends Ronald “Bud” Cooper and Marilyn Black were inducted into the Mackinac Island Stone Skipping Hall of Fame at the organization’s annual induction ceremony staged at the Mackinac Island Stone Skipping and Gerplunking Club’s annual Winter Rules Committee meeting on Saturday April 6, 2013 at the Grosse Pointe Hunt Club, Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan. “We are excited to welcome these two great ambassadors of the sport to the Hall of Fame”, said Hall of Fame Director Karl Rabe.
Mackinac Island Stone Skipping Hall of Fame Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 5, 2011
W. T. “BILL” RABE AND COMMANDER E. M. TELLEFSON, RET. INDUCTED INTO THE MACKINAC ISLAND STONE SKIPPING HALL OF FAME
MACKINAC ISLAND, MI – Stone Skipping legends W. T. “Bill” Rabe and Commander E. M. Tellefson, Ret. were inducted into the Mackinac Island Stone Skipping Hall of Fame at the organization’s annual induction ceremony staged as part of the Mackinac Island Stone Skipping and Gerplunking Club’s annual Winter Rules Committee meeting on Saturday February 5, 2001 at The Heather’s Club in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. “We are thrilled and inspired to kick-off the Stone Skipping Hall of Fame with these two legends”, says Hall of Fame director Karl Rabe, “Together they played a key role in turning this pastime into a sport in North America.”
