Florida Sports Hall of Fame facts for kids
The Florida Sports Hall of Fame (FSHOF) is a special place that honors amazing athletes, coaches, and others who have done great things in sports in Florida. It also wants to inspire people in Florida to be active and healthy, just like the sports heroes they honor.
The Florida Sports Hall of Fame was started in 1958 by sports writers and broadcasters from Florida. It first opened its doors in 1977 at Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven. After closing in 1985, it moved north to Lake City, Florida in 1990.
The Hall's Journey and New Home
The Hall of Fame faced challenges in Lake City, as not enough people visited to keep it running. In 2002, the state's governor, Jeb Bush, stopped state funding, which left the Hall with a lot of debt. The exhibits and sports items were put into storage while the leaders looked for a new home. They thought about building a new place in St. Petersburg, Florida, but it didn't work out.
A new opportunity came when the Lake Myrtle Sports Complex began being built in Auburndale, Florida in August 2008. This complex offered a home for the Hall of Fame. On June 22, 2010, the Florida Sports Hall of Fame officially reopened at the Lake Myrtle Sports Complex. On that day, four new members were welcomed: Catie Ball-Condon, Jack Hairston, Pat Borders, and Hubert Green.
Honoring Florida's Sports Heroes
The Florida Sports Hall of Fame has honored many incredible people over the years. These include famous athletes, dedicated coaches, and others who have made a big difference in sports across Florida. Each year, new members are chosen and added to this special group.
Some of the well-known sports figures who have been inducted into the Hall of Fame include:
- Michelle Akers (soccer)
- Bobby Allison (auto racing)
- Rick Barry (basketball)
- Patty Berg (golf)
- Bobby Bowden (football coach)
- Derrick Brooks (football)
- Steve Carlton (baseball)
- Vince Carter (basketball)
- Chris Evert (tennis)
- Rowdy Gaines (swimming)
- Justin Gatlin (track and field)
- Althea Gibson (tennis)
- Artis Gilmore (basketball)
- Bob Griese (football)
- Hulk Hogan (wrestling)
- Michael Irvin (football)
- Jimmy Johnson (football coach)
- Chipper Jones (baseball)
- Roy Jones Jr. (boxing)
- Jim Kelly (football)
- Dan Marino (football)
- Tracy McGrady (basketball)
- Fred McGriff (baseball)
- Shannon Miller (gymnastics)
- Alonzo Mourning (basketball)
- Jack Nicklaus (golf)
- Arnold Palmer (golf)
- Lou Piniella (baseball)
- Ed Reed (football)
- Dot Richardson (softball)
- Robin Roberts (baseball)
- Deion Sanders (football/baseball)
- Gene Sarazen (golf)
- Lee Roy Selmon (football)
- Don Shula (football coach)
- Emmitt Smith (football)
- Annika Sorenstam (golf)
- Steve Spurrier (football)
- Payne Stewart (golf)
- Don Sutton (baseball)
- Fred Taylor (football)
- Tim Tebow (football)
- Dara Torres (swimming)
- Dick Vitale (basketball announcer)
- Charlie Ward (football/basketball)
- Paul Waner (baseball)
- Ted Williams (baseball)
- Mary Wise (volleyball coach)
- Danny Wuerffel (football)
- Jack Youngblood (football)
- Babe Zaharias (multi-sport athlete)
These are just some of the many amazing individuals recognized for their contributions to sports in Florida.
