“I think it’s time to retire to give somebody else in the community a chance to get out and get involved with something like this, and maybe take a little different viewpoint of it. I think it’s a good thing for the community to get people involved,” Mischley said. “There’s always somebody out there that wants to do something; I say let’s give them a chance.”

Mischley has served as the Hall of Fame’s president since its inception in the early 1980s. He and the Hall of Fame board — made up of folks involved in different Alpena sports — created the template by which the Hall of Fame has operated for its entirety: everything from the date of the annual induction ceremony, to the nomination process for candidates, to the organization’s bylaws.

In nearly 40 years of involvement, Mischley, 83, treated his position almost like a job. In the months leading up to the annual Hall of Fame banquet every May, Mischley is busy pulling together information on the inductees, putting together the annual Hall of Fame book, selling advertisements for it and making sure arrangements are set up with the venue and caterer.

On many occasions, he’s also served as the Master of Ceremonies for the banquet.

Courtesy Photos
Gary Mischley is pictured here in his home office. After nearly 40 years of serving as Alpena Sports Hall of Fame president, Mischley is retiring. In Mischley’s time leading the Hall of Fame, the organization has inducted nearly 200 members and honored dozens of local sports boosters.

He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1993 after a decorated athletic career and career as a longtime broadcaster on local radio.

The book, Mischley said, is one example of just how big the Hall of Fame has grown since its early days. Gathering information for the book is usually a lengthy process for Mischley, who has thousands of catalogued files at home.

The first book was a mere 16 pages, filled mostly with write-ups of each of the 12 inductees. Nowadays the book is more than 100 pages and features write-ups as well as numerous photos showing the history of Alpena sports.

“I (couldn’t) imagine (what it would become), because it started with a little book like this. I can remember going down the sidewalk, gathering information on these people and going back and back and back (for more information),” Mischley said. “Now it’s developed into a magazine that everyone wants a copy of.”

In nearly 40 years of existence, the Hall of Fame has inducted nearly 200 members, honored many teams and dozens of local sports boosters.

After trying for several years to get the Hall of Fame going, Mischley is proud of what the organization has done so far and hopes it can continue for many years.

“I think it’s time for the old cowboy to ride off into the sunset,” Mischley said.