Making Waves
Honoring the Masters of Stone Skipping
As they step into the Stone Skipping Hall of Fame, these remarkable individuals find their names etched in stone, forever immortalized for their unparalleled mastery of this timeless sport.
Stone skipping legends Eric "The Voice" Steiner and WJR broadcaster Paul W. Smith were recently inducted into the Mackinac Island Stone Skipping Hall of Fame during the 55th Annual 4th of July Mackinac Island Stone Skipping and Gerplunking Contest. Eric Steiner, known as "The Voice," has been a prominent figure in the sport for over 23 years, providing live beach-front play-by-play commentary and continuing the tournament's worldwide publicity. Paul W. Smith, an award-winning broadcaster, has passionately supported Mackinac Island and Stone Skipping for more than 25 years, collaborating with Eric Steiner to create notable broadcasting moments, including a broadcast on ESPN8: The Ocho. Inductees receive recognition through a stone engraved with their name and induction year on the Tellefson Rock trophy. The Mackinac Island Stone Skipping Hall of Fame honors individuals who have significantly contributed to the sport.
Stone Skipping legend Russ "Rock Bottom" Byars was posthumously inducted into the Mackinac Island Stone Skipping Hall of Fame in a ceremony held on the banks of the Allegheny River in Franklin, Pennsylvania, on September 23rd, followed by his passing due to cancer on October 6, 2017. Recognized for his exceptional achievements as a competitor and his influential role as a sport ambassador, Russ was honored with the induction. His notable tagline, "Skips Stones for Fudge," showcased his humor and motivation for the sport, with his record-setting 51 skips in 2007 gaining national media attention. Russ, known as "The Babe Ruth of Stone Skipping," secured numerous titles, including a six-time Little David Trophy winner and an eight-time Mackinac Island Stone Skipping & Gerplunking Club National Champion. Beyond records, Russ' legacy lies in his sportsmanship, inspiration to the youth, and embodiment of the playful essence of stone skipping. Inductees, symbolized by engraved skipping stones, are celebrated on the Tellefson Rock trophy in the Mackinac Island Stone Skipping Hall of Fame, which acknowledges significant contributors to the sport.
Grand Hotel, Ryba’s Fudge and Hotel Iroquois
Three iconic Mackinac Island businesses, Grand Hotel, Ryba's Fudge, and Hotel Iroquois, have been uniquely inducted into the Mackinac Island Stone Skipping Hall of Fame, marking a first for the Hall. The induction took place during the Mackinac Island Stone Skipping and Gerplunking Club's Winter Rules Committee meeting in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. These three businesses have significantly contributed to the sport and have become legendary ambassadors. The historic Grand Hotel has played a pivotal role in Stone Skipping, hosting the Annual Awards Banquet and supporting events that boosted the sport's popularity. Ryba's Fudge, known for linking "Fudge" with "Stone Skipping," introduced the famed Little David Trophy's prize of a year's supply of fudge, attracting prominent professionals to the sport. Hotel Iroquois, a longtime supporter, has facilitated press coverage and offered crucial assistance to the Mackinac Island 4th of July Stone Skipping Contest. The inductees are recognized through a stone engraved with their name and induction year on the Tellefson Rock trophy, representing the pinnacle of stone skipping achievement. Since its founding in 1969, the Mackinac Island Stone Skipping and Gerplunking Club has championed the annual contest, with the Hall of Fame dedicated to honoring notable contributors to the sport.
Ronald ‘Bud’ Cooper and Marilyn Black
Stone Skipping legends Ronald "Bud" Cooper and Marilyn Black were inducted into the Mackinac Island Stone Skipping Hall of Fame during the annual induction ceremony held at the Grosse Pointe Hunt Club, Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan, on April 6, 2013. This honor recognizes their exceptional contributions to the sport. Bud Cooper, who sadly passed away, became the first official to enter the Hall. Serving as a Mackinac Island Stone Skipping Judge and later as a Judge ad auxilium vocatus, he bolstered the integrity of Stone Skipping as Lake Superior State University's Athletic Director. Under his leadership, the sport gained credibility and a reputation for fairness. Marilyn Black, an enthusiastic promoter for nearly 25 years, conceived the renowned Rock In River Festival Pennsylvania Qualifying Stone Skipping Tournament, an event closely tied to the Mackinac Island Stone Skipping Contest. She played a pivotal role in spotlighting stone skipping icon Russ "Rock Bottom" Byars and advocated for responsible stone skipping and the preservation of waterways. Established in 1969, the Mackinac Island Stones Skipping and Gerplunking Club has overseen the annual contest for over forty years. The Hall of Fame celebrates individuals who have significantly contributed to the sport of Stone Skipping.
W. T. ‘Bill’ Rabe & Commander E. M. Tellefson, RET.
Stone Skipping pioneers W. T. "Bill" Rabe and Commander E. M. Tellefson, Ret., were posthumously inducted into the Mackinac Island Stone Skipping Hall of Fame at the annual induction ceremony held during the Mackinac Island Stone Skipping and Gerplunking Club's Winter Rules Committee meeting on February 5, 2001, at The Heather's Club in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. These legendary figures played instrumental roles in elevating stone skipping from pastime to sport in North America.
As inaugural inductees, Bill Rabe and Commander Tellefson were honored for their profound contributions. Bill Rabe, founder of the Mackinac Island Stone Skipping and Gerplunking Club, organized the inaugural Mackinac Island 4th of July Stone Skipping Contest in 1969, and his dedication as tournament director lasted for 23 years. He tirelessly promoted the sport and Mackinac Island through various media, publishing "The Boulder," a pioneering journal of stone skipping, and orchestrating the MISS&GC Winter Rules Committee Meeting. Commander Tellefson, dubbed "The grand old man of stone skipping," left an indelible mark as an ambassador. His remarkable 17-skip stone cast at Point Aux Pins in 1932 stood unchallenged for a quarter-century and inspired the establishment of the club. The Commander's famous cry, "Let he who is without Frisbee cast the first stone," became synonymous with the opening of the Mackinac Island 4th of July Stone Skipping Tournament.
The Mackinac Island Stone Skipping Hall of Fame, launched in 2001, celebrates individuals who have significantly contributed to the sport. Since its founding in 1969, the Mackinac Island Stones Skipping and Gerplunking Club has overseen the annual stone skipping contest on Mackinac Island for over four decades. Learn more about the Hall of Fame at misshof.com.