Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame facts for kids
The Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame is a special place that honors amazing athletes and sports figures connected to the Chicago metropolitan area. It's located inside the Hawthorne Race Course near Chicago, in Stickney and Cicero. This Hall of Fame celebrates the best of Chicago sports history!
It began in 1979 as a small display in a trailer at Soldier Field in Chicago. The Chicago Park District took over the exhibits in 1983. Later, from 1988 to 1991, the exhibits were shown in Mike Ditka's restaurant. In 1996, the Hall of Fame moved to the Maryville Academy in Des Plaines. Since 2008, it has been at the Hawthorne Race Course.
Who Runs the Hall of Fame?
The Hall of Fame is guided by a group of important people. These include Father John P. Smyth, who has been involved for a long time. Other directors are Ed Kelly, who used to be in charge of the Chicago Park District, Jean Lenti-Ponsetto, the Athletic Director at DePaul University, and Emery Moorehead, a former tight end for the Chicago Bears.
Who Gets Honored?
The Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame honors many different kinds of sports heroes. They include:
- High School Athletes: Like Babe Baranowski, who was a quarterback for Leo Catholic High School in 1937. His Prep Bowl football game at Soldier Field was watched by a record 120,000 fans!
- High School and College Coaches: People who taught and led young athletes to success.
- College Athletes: From universities like the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign and the University of Notre Dame.
- Professional and Olympic Athletes: Many famous pros and Olympians who have a connection to Chicago.
The Hall of Fame covers a wide range of sports. You'll find honorees from baseball, basketball, football, and hockey. But also from bowling, fishing, golf, and horse racing! They even give out special awards, like the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Ray Meyer Coach of the Year Award. These awards can sometimes honor people who aren't from Chicago.
Famous Honorees
The Hall of Fame has honored hundreds of amazing athletes and sports figures. Here are just a few of the well-known names you might recognize:
- Muhammad Ali: A legendary boxer.
- Ernie Banks: A beloved baseball player for the Chicago Cubs, known as "Mr. Cub."
- Dick Butkus: A fierce linebacker for the Chicago Bears.
- Harry Caray: A famous baseball announcer for both the Cubs and White Sox.
- Michael Jordan: One of the greatest basketball players of all time, who led the Chicago Bulls to many championships.
- Bobby Hull: A superstar hockey player for the Chicago Black Hawks.
- Stan Mikita: Another incredible hockey player for the Black Hawks.
- Walter Payton: A legendary running back for the Chicago Bears, known as "Sweetness."
- Ryne Sandberg: A Hall of Fame second baseman for the Chicago Cubs.
- Gale Sayers: A fantastic running back for the Chicago Bears.
- Billy Williams: A Hall of Fame outfielder for the Chicago Cubs.
These are just a few examples of the many talented people who have been recognized for their contributions to sports in the Chicagoland area.
See also
- Chicago Cubs award winners and league leaders § Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame
