National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame Inducts 2024 Class Mathieu Schneider, Jeff Bukantz, and Lipman “Lip” Pike Enshrined; Joe McMahon Honored with George Young Award

2024 inductees into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame and Museum. Left to right: Jeff Bukantz, Mathieu Schneider and Joe McMahon. Far right is Jason Bartow, NJSHOF Chairperson.

Commack, NY (November 17, 2024) – The National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame inducted three distinguished athletes into its ranks on November 17, 2024, during a special ceremony at the Suffolk Y Jewish Community Center (SYJCC) in Commack, New York. The latest honorees included Mathieu Schneider, Jeff Bukantz, and Lipman “Lip” Pike, who were formally enshrined as part of the 2024 induction class. Joe McMahon was also honored with the prestigious George Young Award for his lifetime commitment to both sports and community.

In addition to the inductions, the Hall of Fame unveiled its newly launched exhibit, Pucks and Pioneers: Honoring Jewish Ice Hockey Athletes & Leaders. This dynamic, six-month exhibit explores the profound impact of Jewish athletes on the sport of ice hockey, from the early trailblazers who broke barriers to modern NHL stars who have left a legacy on the game. The exhibit, which will be free and open to the public, is a must-see for hockey enthusiasts, history buffs, and anyone interested in the intersection of Jewish heritage and the sport of ice hockey.

New exhibit launched: Pucks & Pioneers: Honoring Jewish Ice Hockey Athletes & Leaders

The Pucks and Pioneers exhibit showcases the achievements of Jewish players, coaches, broadcasters, and journalists who have helped shape ice hockey’s history. It highlights pioneering figures like Cecil Hart, the first Jewish head coach in the NHL, and celebrates contemporary stars like Adam Fox and the Hughes Brothers. The exhibit also explores how Jewish athletes have transcended cultural boundaries to become ambassadors for the sport across the globe.

Mathieu Schneider – A two-time NHL All-Star, Schneider had a remarkable career that spanned over 1,000 NHL games. He won the Stanley Cup in 1993 and the World Cup of Hockey in 1996. Schneider retired as one of the most prolific offensive defensemen in NHL history and was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 2015.

Jeff Bukantz – A two-time Olympic fencing team captain, Bukantz captained the U.S. teams in both the 1988 and 1992 Summer Olympics. Additionally, Bukantz was the captain of Team USA at the Pan American Games and Junior and Senior World Championships. A longtime fencing official and broadcaster for NBC, he currently serves as President of Maccabi USA, following in the footsteps of his father, Daniel Bukantz, who is also a member of the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.

Lipman “Lip” Pike – Pike, one of baseball’s earliest power hitters, was the first Jewish professional baseball player and manager in America. He led early professional leagues in home runs four times during the “dead ball” era and retired with impressive offensive statistics. Pike is remembered as a pioneer of the game and one of the first Jewish baseball stars in history.

George Young Award – The George Young Award, presented annually to an individual who has made significant contributions to both sports and their community, was awarded to Joe McMahon. McMahon served as the Head Equipment Manager for the New York Islanders from 1983 to 2003 and continues to support youth hockey players through his work with the Lee & Aidan McMahon Foundation, which benefits the Hospice Care Network and the American Liver Foundation.

Ribbon cutting for new hockey display section. Left to right: Back Row: Matthew Goldberg, Rick Lewis, Jason Bartow Front Row: Alex Klonsky, Corey Jacobs, Mathieu Schneider

About the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame:

Founded in 1993, the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame is dedicated to honoring Jewish athletes, coaches, and sports figures who have excelled in their respective fields. With inductees from a broad range of sports, including hockey, baseball, basketball, fencing, and more, the Hall of Fame celebrates Jewish heritage through athletics and preserves the legacies of Jewish sports heroes. The Pucks and Pioneers exhibit is a new addition to the Hall of Fame’s collection, providing an in-depth look at the significant contributions of Jewish athletes to the sport of ice hockey.

The Hall of Fame is proud to showcase this exhibit, which will be open for the next six months. Visitors can explore the intersection of Jewish identity and hockey history, honoring the players, coaches, and contributors who have helped shape the sport.

For more information about the 2024 inductees and the Pucks and Pioneers exhibit, please visit www.njshof.org