Canaan Sandy. (ESPN Marketing)
Following a nationwide search for the most remarkable and inspiring fans along with 10 days of fan voting, ESPN has announced this year’s inductees for the Fan Hall of Fame: Barbara Rust, famously known as “The Sign Lady” in the Sacramento, Calif. community; Arkansas Razorbacks fan Canaan Sandy and Pierce Wallace, “The Georgia Joker.” They will be honored with their names engraved above stadium chairs on the lawn of ESPN’s Bristol, Conn. campus at a 2014 induction ceremony.
Front Row spoke with the three inductees about their passion, their favorite ESPN shows and more.
Canaan Sandy (Canaan’s mother, Ginger, answered on his behalf)
Reaction to selection: He ran from one end of the house to the other yelling, “I won, I won!” and “I’m going to ESPN!”
Favorite ESPN show: It’s College GameDay. He loves all the excitement, predictions and experts. And he knows they will be at Arkansas one day soon.
The first thing he’ll do when he arrives at the ESPN campus: Call the Hogs! We both will probably be speechless.
Barbara Rust, “The Sign Lady”
Reaction to selection: I was very proud that Sacramento Kings fans once again were being recognized for the passion, loyalty and love we feel for our team and our great city. This is an honor that I share with every Sacramento Kings fan around the world.
Favorite ESPN personality: [College basketball analyst] Kara Lawson, because she was a member of our beloved Sacramento Monarchs 2005 WNBA Championship team and is one of the most insightful basketball analysts on any network.
Favorite sports moment of the year: Oct. 30th, which was opening night of the Kings’ season because it was a celebration of the Kings staying in Sacramento forever. It was even more special because I was well enough to attend after missing the preseason due to cancer surgery.
Pierce Wallace, “The Georgia Joker”
Reaction to selection: I was actually on a plane and the two passengers sitting next to me were both asleep so I couldn’t get up and shout but I was jumping all around and screaming in my mind and heart.
Favorite ESPN show: SportsCenter is and has always been my favorite ESPN show. I watch it every morning and every night. SportsCenter is the perfect culmination of the entire day of sports with the perfect array of anchors.
Favorite ESPN personality: Neil Everett and Dick Vitale. I have always admired both those men for their funny and charismatic personalities.
