Dillard legend Isaac Bruce among inductees to Broward County Sports Hall of Fame
For those inducted into the Broward Sports Hall of Fame it’s a special event honoring a lifetime of achievement.
Thursday night at the Margaritaville Hotel, the induction ceremony for the Class of 2025 was celebrated.
The inductees included former Dillard High football great Isaac Bruce, Rodeo star Isaac Diaz, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Daniel Kanell, swimmer Kathryn Sallade, former Fort Lauderdale High pitcher Scot Shields, former St. Thomas Aquinas boys’ basketball coach Steve Strand and the 1975-79 Cardinal Gibbons High girls’ volleyball team.
Former WSVN sports anchor Steve Shapiro was the Master of Ceremonies.
Bruce, under the coaching legend Otis Gray Jr. led Dillard to the Class 4A state football championship in 1989.
The Los Angeles Rams selected him 33rd overall in the 1994 NFL Draft. Bruce was electric over 16 seasons (14 with the Rams and two for the 49ers). He concluded his career with 1,024 receptions, 15,208 yards and 91 touchdowns in 223 games played. Bruce was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020.
Diaz, though born in California, was home school in Broward County, the place where he was introduced to saddle bronco riding.
He has become one of the sports premier bronco riders in the country with career earnings surpassing $1.5 million and an induction into the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame.
Kanell has been a pillar of sports medicine in Broward County.
He has been the team physician for the Miami Dolphins, Miami Marlins, Fort Lauderdale Strikers and Miami Fusion. He also served as a Spring Training Physician for the New York Yankees and Texas Rangers during their years in Broward County.
Sallade attended Fort Lauderdale High School from 1965-68.
As a backstroke specialist, she qualified for the 1969 Deaflympics, winning three gold medals and set three world records. In the 1973 Deaflympics, she won two additional gold medals and world records.
For eight consecutive years she held the title of faster deaf back stroker in the world. She was assistant coach for the United States team in 1977 and 1983.
Sallade served as the head coach during the 2007 deaf Pan American games.
Shields played baseball in the Major Leagues for the Los Angeles Angels for 10 seasons after he was drafted in the 38th round by the Anaheim Angels 1997.
He appeared in nearly 500 games, pitched 697 innings, recorded 46 wins, 21 saves, over 600 strikeouts and maintained a career 3.18 ERA.
Sports Illustrated named Shields the Set-up Man of the Decade for the 2000’s.
“Playing major league baseball was a dream come true,” said Shields. “It was something I felt would never happen. I was an amazing feeling that all that hard work paid off.”
Strand retired as the Aquinas boys’ basketball coach at the conclusion of the 2018-19 season with career record of 394-196 over 22 seasons. He led the Raiders with nine district titles, made four state Final Four appearances and won the FHSAA state title in 2001.
During his tenure, 44 players went on to play college basketball.
“My proudest moment of my coaching career was seeing players sign on Signing Day,” said Strand. “It was a proud moment tonight see many of my former players here.”
The 1975-76 Cardinal Gibbons girls’ volleyball team, led by legendary coach Louise Crocco, won five consecutive state championships, becoming the first team in the state to do so.
“The girls at the beginning made the difference,” Crocco said. “They were so committed and created the foundation of things to come.”
During that stretch the Chiefs complied a stunning record of 129-4. The 1978-79 team won more the 30 victories that launched a streak of 27 consecutive seasons of 30-plus victories.