Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame facts for kids
| Established | 1959 |
|---|---|
| Location | 3 Simmons Bank Arena Way North Little Rock, Arkansas 72114 |
| Type | Sports |
| Collections | Approx 5 per year |
The Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame is a special place in North Little Rock, Arkansas, that celebrates amazing athletes, coaches, and teams from all over Arkansas, United States. It's like a museum and a hall of fame combined! Since 1959, this hall has honored people who have made a big difference in sports across the state.
You can find the Hall of Fame's museum on the west side of the Simmons Bank Arena. It shows off the achievements of men, women, and teams from many different sports. This includes everything from football to fishing! People from all 75 counties in Arkansas have been honored here.
Honoring Arkansas Sports Stars
The Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame celebrates people who have achieved great things in sports. Each year, new members are chosen to join this special group. These people are called "inductees." They are recognized for their amazing skills and contributions to sports in Arkansas.
Who Gets Inducted?
To be inducted, someone must have shown outstanding talent and dedication in their sport. This could be a player, a coach, or even a team. They might have played in high school, college, or professionally. The goal is to honor the best of the best from Arkansas sports history.
A Look at Some Inductees
The Hall of Fame has inducted many famous sports figures over the years. The first group of inductees in 1959 included legends like:
- Bill Dickey, a famous baseball player.
- Jim Lee Howell, a football star.
- Hazel Walker, a pioneering female basketball player.
- Wear Schoonover, another football standout.
Many other incredible athletes and coaches have been honored since then. For example, in 1960, Don Hutson, a legendary football player, was inducted. Later inductees include:
- Maurice Britt (1972)
- Kevin McReynolds (1996)
- Shawn Andrews (2018)
- Denny Flynn (2019)
- Kevin Kelley (2021)
Other amazing people who have been inducted into the Hall of Fame include:
- Leon Campbell
- George Cole
- Walt Coleman
- Ben Cowins
- Todd Day
- Quinn Grovey
- Ray Hamilton
- Ed Hamm
- John Hoffman
- Cliff Lee
- Haeng Ung Lee
- Lee Mayberry
- Leslie O'Neal
- Ulysses Reed
- Jack Robbins
- Brooks Robinson
- Billy Ray Smith, Sr.
- Barry Switzer
- R. C. Thielemann
- Scotty Thurman
- Corliss Williamson
- Ron Calcagni
