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.
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).
Bud Cooper (diseased) is the first official to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Bud was a Mackinac Island Stone Skipping Judge from 1984 to 1990 and Judge ad auxilium vocatus from 1990 to 1992. As Lake Superior State University’s Athletic Director for 26 years, “Bud” increased the rigor and legitimacy of Stone Skipping as a sport. Under his watchful eye Stone Skipping earned a stellar reputation as a “clean” sport, above the scandals that have plagued other major sports in America.
Marilyn Black has been an active promoter of Stone Skipping for almost 25 years. She conceived the now famous Rock In River Festival Pennsylvania Qualifying Stone Skipping Tournament, held in Franklin, PA., a sanctioned qualifying event of the 4th of July Mackinac Island Stone Skipping Contest. Marilyn’s creative genius brought to light the Babe Ruth of stone skipping, six time World Champion and current World Record Holder, Pennsylvania native Russ “Rock Bottom” Byars. Marilyn has continued to promote responsible Stone Skipping and preservation of our great water ways.
Formed in 1969, the Mackinac Island Stones Skipping and Gerplunking Club has hosted the annual stone skipping contest on Mackinac Island for over forty years. 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.
