Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame

=About the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame=

Philadelphia boasts an amazing sports history, dating to the mid-1800’s. The story of sports in Philadelphia is a tapestry of people, places, legends and lore. It includes true icons from Connie Mack to Wilt Chamberlain, Steve Van Buren to Joe Frazier, Bill Tilden to Julius Erving. Legendary venues include Baker Bowl and the Palestra, Shibe Park and Boathouse Row, Merion Golf Club and Franklin Field. Historic teams such as the 1929 A’s, the 1960 Eagles, the 1967 76ers and the Broad Street Bullies dot this history along with landmark events and traditions such as Dempsey-Tunney I, Bobby Jones' Grand Slam at Merion, the Dad Vail Regatta, the Army-Navy Game, the Philadelphia Big 5 and the Penn Relays.

Until the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame was established in May 2002, there has been no central organization to preserve and promote this outstanding legacy.

Established as a 501-c-3 nonprofit corporation, the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame’s multi-faceted mission extends well beyond honoring the region’s sports history. Using the fascination and appeal of sports to help fund its community programs, the foundation helps area youth in numerous of ways. These community programs will directly influence the lives of young people in the area. At this grass roots level local youth will be exposed to and educated about the tremendous history of sports in Philadelphia.

The Philadelphia Hall of Fame is a not-for-profit association dedicated to honoring those individuals, teams, events, organizations and venues prominent in the history of athletics in Philadelphia and the surrounding area. The Hall recognizes the timeless intertwining of sport into the fabric of everyday life. With this as a credo The Philadelphia Hall of Fame is devoted to honoring those persons, places, organizations and events that have made outstanding contributions through inspiring achievement in both professional and amateur sports while forever enriching the memories fans.

Inductee Roster

Charter Class (2004)

Richie Ashburn Baseball, Phillies

Steve Carlton Baseball, Phillies

Robin Roberts Baseball, Phillies

Connie Mack Baseball, A's, Owner, Manager

Jimmie Foxx Baseball, A's

Mike Schmidt Baseball, Phillies

Tom Gola Basketball, Warriors, LaSalle, LaSalle High

Billy Cunningham Basketball, 76ers

Wilt Chamberlain Basketball, 76ers, Warriors, Overbrook High

Julius Erving Basketball, 76ers

Paul Arizin Basketball, Warriors, Villanova, La Salle High

Chuck Bednarik Football, Eagles, Penn

Bert Bell Football, Eagles, Owner, NFL Commissioner, Penn

Steve Van Buren Football, Eagles

Bernie Parent Hockey, Flyers

Bobby Clarke Hockey, Flyers

Bill Tilden Tennis, Penn, Germantown Academy

Joe Frazier Boxing, Longtime Resident

John B. Kelly, Sr. Rowing, Area Native

Harry Kalas Legacy of Excellence Phillies, Broadcaster

Sonny Hill Lifetime Achievement 76ers, Contributor, Basketball

Class II (2005)

Lefty Grove Baseball, A's

Grover Cleveland Alexander Baseball, Phillies

Charles Barkley Basketball, 76ers

Cathy Rush Basketball, Area Native

Guy Rodgers Basketball, Temple, Warriors, Area Native

Eddie Gottlieb Basketball, Basketball Pioneer, Warriors, SPHAS, owner- Philadelphia Stars (Negro League Baseball)

John Chaney Basketball Area Native

Pete Pihos Football, Eagles

Tommy McDonald Football, Eagles

Carl Lewis Track and Field ,Area Native

Jumbo Elliott Track and Field, Villanova, Area Native

Jay Sigel Golf, Area Native

Vic Seixas Tennis Area Native

Joe Verdeur Swimming, LaSalle, Area Native

Bill Campbell Legacy of Excellence Broadcaster

Harvey Pollack Legacy of Excellence Stat-Man Extraodinaire

Bob Levy Lifetime Achievement Contributor, Youth Sports, Penn
1954 LaSalle University Mens Basketball National Champions

Class III (2006)

Reggie Jackson Baseball, Area native from Wyncote, PA

Del Ennis Baseball Phillies, Philadelphia Native

Al Simmons Baseball, A's

Roy Campanella Baseball, Area native born in Philadelphia

Joe Fulks Basketball, Warriors

Hal Greer Basketball, 76ers

Dr. John T. "Jack" Ramsay Basketball, Area native from Upper Darby, PA

Herb Adderley Football Area native from Philadelphia
1960 Philadelphia Eagles Football NFL Champions

Don Bragg Track and Field, Villanova, Area native from Penns Grove, NJ

Helen Sigel Wilson Golf, Area native from Gladwyne, PA

Anne Townsend Field Hockey, Area native from Merion, PA

William Joseph Mosconi Billiards, Area native from Philadelphia

Ray Didinger Legacy of Excellence Sportswriter, Broadcaster

Gene Hart Legacy of Excellence Flyers Broadcaster

Bill Ellerbee Lifetime Achievement High School Coach, Teacher, Mentor

The Palestra Venue Enshrinement

Class IV (2007)

Mickey Cochrane Baseball, A's
1980 Philadelphia Phillies Baseball World Champions

Chuck Klein Baseball, Phillies

Earl Monroe Basketball, Area Native

Harry Litwack Basketball, Area Native

Theresa Grentz Basketball, Immaculata, Area Native

Reggie White Football, Eagles

Earl "Greasy" Neale Football, Eagles

Frank "Bucko" Kilroy Football, Area Native, Eagles, Temple

Bill Barber Hockey, Flyers

Walter Bahr Soccer, Area Native

Beth Anders Field Hockey, Area Native

Jack Whitaker Legacy of Excellence Sportscaster, St. Josephs, Area Native

Bill Lyon Legacy of Excellence Sportswriter, Philadelphia Inquirer, Author

See also

External Resources

http://www.phillyhof.org