Hall of Fame - A Berland tribute
Lance Berland (left) presents the Hall Of Fame induction plaque to Kiowa Sweet Trey’s co-owners Kay Smith and Vince Berland.
Vince Berland of the Flying Eagles Kennel and one of his champion greyhounds, Kiowa Sweet Trey, are presented the sport’s ultimate honor: induction into the Greyhound Hall Of Fame.
It was an evening never to be forgotten for Vince Berland. Not only was he inducted into the Greyhound Hall Of Fame during ceremonies at the museum on Thursday of the NGA Fall Meet, but so was his champion greyhound (co-owned with Kay Smith), Kiowa Sweet Trey.
A large crowd of Fall Meet attendees--that also included many local Abilene residents and friends of the Berland family, as well as many members of the Berland family itself-- joined in the celebration on the evenng of Oct. 13.
First inducted was race and sire champion Kiowa Sweet Trey, whose legacy has been well documented in the last two issues of the Greyhound Review. Sweet Trey was a two-time national sire champion following a spectacular racing career that was cut short due to injury. Kiowa Sweet Trey is the only greyhound to have sired his own team of All-American greyhounds, having had eight of his offspring named to the All-American teams over the years. Sweet Trey passed away in 2009.
Vince Berland’s induction was primarily for his incredible success in the greyhound business in the last 25 years- -as a breeder and owner of champion greyhounds, highly influential studmaster and kennel operator of the famed Flying Eagles Kennel. Berland greyhounds have captured more NGA annual awards than any other owner--five in all. Some of his more famous greyhounds he’s owned or bred include Kiowa Sweet Trey, Flying Stanley, Flying Hydrogen, Flying Coal City and Flying Penske.
Cecilia Harris is a professional freelance writer working for the Greyhound Hall of Fame since 1989. Her work includes the Hall of Fame page in the Greyhound Review Magazine, video scripts and exhibit text for Hall of Fame and Pioneer inductions, and press releases. She also currently writes two blogs for Kansas Travel and Tourism, is a regular feature article contributor to two magazines, and produces travel articles for the Abilene, Ks. Convention and Visitors Bureau. She also has authored two books.
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