Charles Barkley, JoAnn Fitzsimmons to serve as chairs at Arizona Sports Hall of Fame Induction

Former Phoenix Suns star Charles Barkley and JoAnn Fitzsimmons, wife of late former Suns head coach Cotton Fitzsimmons, will be honorary chairs at the 2021 Crest Insurance Group Arizona Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, the Arizona Sports and Entertainment Commission announced.

The event will be held at The Phoenician on Nov. 1 at 5:30 p.m., according to a press release.

“The Arizona Sports Hall of Fame is an important part of Arizona’s sports culture that encompasses the incredible talent that comes out of Arizona,” Barkley said in the release.

Barkley and Cotton Fitzsimmons were both inducted into the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame in 2015, the same year late ESPN journalist Pedro Gomez first served as the master of ceremonies.

He will be paid tribute at the event as well.

“I’m excited to be part of this event; it’s a true honor,” Fitzsimmons said in the release. “Even though Cotton wasn’t here to see it, it meant so much to me when he was inducted into the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame. I know it would have meant so much to him, too. I look forward to welcoming this new class, as well as paying tribute to Pedro.”

The Hall of Fame honors Arizona’s top athletes as well as coaches, executives and others who made a significant impact on the state’s sports.

This Class includes:

• John Bridger – Former Thunderbirds Executive Director
• Joe Caldwell – Former Arizona State Basketball Standout
• Ann Meyers Drysdale – Phoenix Mercury and Suns Executive and Broadcaster
• Andre Ethier – Former ASU Outfielder and MLB All-Star
• Roland Hemond – Former Arizona Diamondbacks Executive
• Paul Westphal – Former Phoenix Suns All-Star & Head Coach

The ceremony’s date was pushed back from April 23 due to the pandemic and out of respect to the recent passing of Gomez and Westphal.

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