Virginia Sports Hall of Fame and Museum facts for kids
The Virginia Sports Hall of Fame is a special place that celebrates amazing athletes, coaches, and others who have made a big difference in sports. Since 1972, over 350 people have been honored here. Many of these sports heroes were born in Virginia, or they became famous in college, professional, or Olympic sports after moving to the state. Every April, the Hall of Fame welcomes eight new members.
Where is the Hall of Fame?
From 2005 to 2017, the Hall of Fame had a museum in Portsmouth, Virginia. In 2017, it moved its main operations to Town Center in Virginia Beach. This move helped the Hall of Fame save money and get more support from businesses.
Now, you can find many of its cool exhibits and a list of all the honored members in different office buildings and hotel lobbies in Town Center. It's like a scavenger hunt for sports fans! You can explore these displays for free on a special walking tour called "Walk the Hall." The Hall of Fame also hosts many sports events and programs throughout Town Center. Its main offices are also located there.
How are Members Chosen?
The Virginia Sports Hall of Fame has a group of leaders called a board of directors. They help guide the Hall of Fame. There is also a special group called the Honors Court. This group looks at names of people who might be honored. They announce their choices for new members every December.
Who are the Sports Inductees?
The Hall of Fame honors people from many different sports. These include football, basketball, baseball, tennis, swimming, and more. They also honor people who helped sports in other ways, like coaches, administrators, and sports journalists.
Some famous athletes who have been inducted include:
- Arthur Ashe Jr. (Tennis) - A legendary tennis player and humanitarian.
- Frank Beamer (Football) - A very successful college football coach.
- Rondé Barber and Tiki Barber (Football) - Twin brothers who both became famous NFL players.
- Frankie Allen (Basketball) - A well-known basketball coach.
- Anne Donovan (Basketball) - An Olympic gold medalist and WNBA star.
- Dell Curry (Basketball) - A talented NBA player.
- Charles Haley (Football) - A five-time Super Bowl champion.
- Angela Hucles (Soccer) - An Olympic medalist in soccer.
- Moses Malone (Basketball) - One of the greatest basketball players of all time.
- Ralph Sampson (Basketball) - A college basketball superstar and NBA player.
- Sam Snead (Golf) - One of golf's all-time greats.
- Dawn Staley (Basketball) - An Olympic gold medalist and successful coach.
- Lawrence Taylor (Football) - Considered one of the best defensive players in NFL history.
- Pernell Whitaker (Boxing) - An Olympic gold medalist and professional boxing champion.
- David Wright (Baseball) - A popular Major League Baseball player.
- Ryan Zimmerman (Baseball) - A beloved Major League Baseball player.
These are just a few examples of the many talented individuals who have been recognized for their contributions to sports in Virginia and beyond.
