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Virginia  Symbols, State Sports Hall of Fame

Virginia Sports Hall of Fame

Portsmouth, Virginia

Adopted in 1996
 

History

Established in 1972, the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame and Museum in Portsmouth is the Commonwealth's official sports hall of fame, honoring champions from every region of Virginia. Its aim is to offer sports enthusiasts an intimate look at Virginia's sports greats and their memorable contributions, all illustrating what it takes to be a true champion – teamwork, commitment, sacrifice, and selflessness. The Hall of Fame has also developed impressive educational outreach programs designed to instill the values of leadership and sportsmanship in young people.

Thirty-four National Hall of Fame athletes are among the Museum's ranks, as are 29 of the Top 50 Virginia athletes of the century recognized by Sports Illustrated. The Museum houses one of the country's largest collections of sports artifacts and memorabilia, including a tennis racquet used by Arthur Ashe, the signature straw hat of legendary golfer Sam Snead, and the game ball from the 1903 football match between Virginia Tech and Navy.

Timeline

• 1972 - Sports Hall of Fame and Museum established in Olde Towne Portsmouth
• 1987 - Hall of Fame reaches 100 inductees.
• 1995 - Eddie Webb becomes Executive Director.
• 1996 - Virginia General Assembly designates the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame and Museum as the official sports hall of fame for the Commonwealth.
• 1997 -
  • A media inductee category is added to the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame.
  • A feasibility study supports the planning of a larger facility with interactive and traveling exhibits and expanded education initiatives.
• 2000 - The Hall of Fame's board of directors contracts with van Dijk Pace Westlake Architects of Cleveland and the exhibit design firm of Gallagher & Associates of Washington, D.C., to design the new 32,000-square-foot facility and its exhibits.
• 2003 - Groundbreaking will take place for the new Hall of Fame.
• 2004 - New Virginia Sports Hall of Fame and Museum scheduled to open.

Facts

 
In 2003, the number of Hall of Fame inductees reached 201.

All parts of Virginia are well represented, with 29 inductees from the North, 79 from the East, 37 from the West, and 56 from the Central region.

Athletes, coaches, administrators, and contributors are eligible for induction into the Hall of Fame. Since 1997, sports media members have been eligible for induction as Media Inductees; as of 2003, there were 18 of them.

A total of 20 sports are represented: speedboat racing, sailboat racing, surfing, football, track, swimming, basketball, horsemanship, wrestling, auto racing, tennis, bowling, baseball, golf, canoeing, boxing, horse racing, soccer, and coaching.

Of the inductees recognized for their collegiate sports careers, 25 attended the College of William & Mary, more than any other Virginia college or university. Nineteen attended the University of Virginia, and 17 attended Virginia Tech.

As of 2003, 20 female athletes had been inducted. Five female coaches are also honored.

Jean McLean Davis was the first female athlete inducted. She was inducted in 1976 for her achievements in horsemanship.

The youngest person inducted was Anne Donovan, at age 34, for basketball. The oldest person inducted was Caroline Sinclair, at age 92, for coach/administrator.

Virginia Sports Hall of Fame
420 High St.
P0 Box 370
Portsmouth, VA 23705
Phone: (757) 393-8031

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