Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame

The Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame is a nonprofit organization in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S., that was established in May 2002, to honor individuals and groups who are either area natives who became prominent in the field of sports or who became prominent in the field of sports in the region.^[1][2]

From 2004 to 2010, the organization also presented an annual "Pride of Philadelphia Award" to a team or individual.^[3]

Requirements

Individuals, Teams, Venues, Events, and Organizations are all eligible. Generally they must have gained national prominence as individuals or venues while attached to the Philadelphia region, or won a championship as a team from the Philadelphia region. Individuals are eligible for induction five years after retirement from a playing career. When an individual dies, he or she becomes immediately eligible.^[4]

An individual who was not an athlete may be inducted in the following categories: Legacy of Excellence, Lifetime Commitment, Philadelphia Medal.

Inductees

Richie Ashburn, inducted in 2004, longtime player and radio broadcaster for the Philadelphia Phillies.

Wilt Chamberlain, an inaugural class inductee, was born and raised in Philadelphia and played for the Warriors and 76ers.

Jimmie Foxx, inducted in 2004, played for the Philadelphia Athletics.

Connie Mack, longtime Manager and Owner of the Philadelphia Athletics was inducted in 2004.

Tennis champion Bill Tilden, inducted in 2004, was born and raised in the Philadelphia area.

Harry Kalas, longtime Phillies broadcaster, was the 2004 Legacy of Excellence inductee.

Charles Barkley, inducted in 2005, played for the Philadelphia 76ers from 1984–1992.

Reggie Jackson, a 2006 inductee, was born and raised in the Philadelphia area.

Merrill Reese, inducted in 2009, long time radio broadcaster for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Mark Howe, inducted in 2011, played for the Philadelphia Flyers.

Joe McCarthy, inducted in 2011, born and raised in the Philadelphia area.

Moses Malone, played for the 76ers.

Tommy Lasorda, born and raised in Philadelphia area.

Marvin Harrison, born and raised in Philadelphia area.

Key

Pride of Philadelphia Award

Smarty Jones, a 2004 awardee.

Ryan Howard, a 2006 awardee.

The 2008 Phillies with President Barack Obama at the White House.

The Pride of Philadelphia Award is given to teams or individuals who have "represented the Philadelphia area with dignity, determination, and class through athletic achievement."^[3]

2004

• Smarty Jones, winner, Kentucky Derby / Preakness Stakes
• Bernard Hopkins, Undisputed middleweight champion
• St. Joseph's Men's Basketball, Atlantic 10 East Division Champions

2005

• Afleet Alex, winner, Preakness Stakes / Belmont Stakes
• Philadelphia Phantoms, Calder Cup AHL Champions

2006

• Prep Charter Boys' Basketball, PIAA Class AA Basketball Champions
• Villanova Men's Basketball, Big East Regular Season Co-Champions
• Ryan Howard, NL MVP

2007

• Jimmy Rollins, NL MVP, Gold Glove
• Cheltenham High School Girls' Basketball, PIAA AAAA State Champions

2008

• 2008 Philadelphia Phillies, World Series Champions
• Philadelphia Soul, Arena Bowl XXII Champions
• Mount Saint Joseph Academy Girls Basketball, 2008 PIAA AAA State Champions

2009

• Villanova Men's Basketball, 2009 NCAA Final Four
• Archbishop Carroll boys' and girls' basketball teams, PIAA AAA State Champions
• Miguel Cartagena, 2009 Golden Gloves Champion

2010^[6]

• Carlos Ruiz, Phillies
• Villanova football, FCS National Champions
• Mark Herzlich, Boston College linebacker

Roll Call of Champions

The hall of fame's website has a page that honors every Greater Philadelphia team—college and professional—that won the championship in its particular sport.^[7]

Hall of Fame Charities

The Foundation formed Hall of Fame Charities in 2004. It supports or has formed partnerships with organizations in the Greater Philadelphia area that promote youth sports, especially at the pre-teen, grade-school level. These organizations include: Richie Ashburn Baseball Foundation, Police Athletic League (PAL) Junior Golf, Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis and Education, Bruce Simon Southampton Summer Basketball Camp, The First Tee of Philadelphia, and Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation.^[8]

Hall of Fame Charities also has student^[9] and community^[10] programs.

See also

• Sports in Philadelphia
• Philadelphia Eagles#Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame
• List of Philadelphia Flyers award winners#Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame
• List of Philadelphia Phillies award winners and league leaders#Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame
• Philadelphia 76ers#Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame
• Philadelphia Sports Writers Association
• Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame

References

External links

• Official website