The Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame honors distinguished members of Wisconsin's sports history. The Hall of Fame hosts several annual events, including an induction ceremony to honor new members, nomination luncheons, speaker series breakfasts and more.[1] Bronze commemorative plaques honoring the members of the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame, including Hank Aaron, Vince Lombardi, Oscar Robertson, Bart Starr and others, are displayed in the Wisconsin Athletic Walk of Fame promenade in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
History
The Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame was created in 1951 by the Milwaukee Arena (now UW–Milwaukee Panther Arena).[2] It was created to "honor outstanding sports figures whose achievements earned them special acclaim."[3] The Hall of Fame plaques were originally available only to paying customers at the Milwaukee Arena;[4] however for the 50th anniversary in 2001, the Wisconsin Sports Development Corporation (WSDC) constructed a Wisconsin Athletic Walk of Fame outside of the UW–Milwaukee Panther Arena in Milwaukee so the plaques could be on permanent public display at no cost.[3]
Wisconsin Athletic Walk of Fame Profile
In 2014, the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame was acquired by Lammi Sports Management, a Milwaukee-based sports marketing corporation. Shortly after the acquisition, Lammi Sports announced that Wisconsin Hall of Fame LLC will manage and control the assets related to the Athletic Hall of Fame.[1]
67th Anniversary Class
On October 27, 2015, the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame announced that Wisconsin Badgers men's basketball coach Bo Ryan and Green Bay Packers all-time leading wide receiver Donald Driver were selected for induction into the Athletic Hall of Fame's 65th Anniversary Class. The pair was inducted during a special event celebrating their careers and contributions to athletics in Wisconsin on April 30, 2016, at the UW–Milwaukee Panther Arena, the site of the first Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame induction event in 1951.[5]
68th Anniversary Class
Wisconsin Badgers Heisman Trophy winner Ron Dayne, LPGA legend Sherri Steinhauer, and Green Bay Packers player Charles Woodson were inducted as part of the 68th Anniversary Class on April 29, 2017. Bud Selig was also honored for his efforts to advance athletics and better the community in the state of Wisconsin with the Lifetime Achievement Award.[6] 2016 inductee and Green Bay Packers Hall of Famer Donald Driver served as the MC for the event, which again took place at the UW–Milwaukee Panther Arena.
69th Anniversary Class
Wisconsin golf contributor Herbert Kohler Jr., Milwaukee Bucks player Marques Johnson and Green Bay Packers general manager and Pro Football Hall of Famer Ron Wolf were inducted into the 69th Anniversary Class of the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame on January 24, 2019, at Discovery World in downtown Milwaukee.
70th Anniversary Class
Green Bay Packers players Brett Favre and Jordy Nelson were selected for induction into the 70th Anniversary Class of the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame on June 5, 2020, in Madison. Barry Alvarez will also be honored for his efforts to advance athletics at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, for being the winningest coach in the school's history, and for bettering the community of Wisconsin with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
There are 143 people inducted into the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame. Inductees come from a variety of sports, including auto racing, football, basketball, water skiing, bowling, baseball, and bicycling, and various Olympic sports.[2]
A full list of inductees, along with pictures of their corresponding Hall of Fame plaques, can be found on the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame's official website: www.wihalloffame.com.
