The Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame Museum is open to the public by appointment only. The Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame brings the fulfillment of a dream, and the recollection of more than four decades of highly successful induction ceremonies honoring the athletic greats of Arkansas. The following is a brief history of the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame. It all started in February, 1958, when a group o
f 25 businessmen were told by Milton Green, “We owe something to these Arkansas people who have gone to the top of their careers, but are now about to be forgotten. Let’s form an Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame.”
The objective was to be “The selection, recognition, and acknowledgement of those persons who, through outstanding achievement and accomplishments in any form of endeavor, have brought honor, prestige, and fame to the state of Arkansas.”
The criteria to select honorees stated that “Selection would be based on athletic accomplishment, character and leadership, national significance of honoree, conduct during years following active participation in athletics, prestige to the Hall of Fame, representation of women, balance between old-timers and present generation, national publicity, honor and credit brought to the home state, and representation of all sports over the years.”
Some 150 or so candidates are suggested each year for selection into the Hall of Fame. The Board of Directors and Seniors Committee thoroughly check the list and freely discuss qualifications. Afterwards three separate voting list (regular, senior and posthumous) are mailed out to the organization’s statewide dues paying membership as they get a cherished opportunity to vote for their sports heroes. The Hall of Fame’s accounting firm then tabulates the ballots sending it back to the Board of Directors for final approval. The Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame is proud of its history and focus on current activities and is excited about the future.
