The Arizona Sports Hall of Fame (HOF) was founded in 1957 by the Phoenix Press Box Association. The Association held 36 induction ceremonies before ceasing operations in 1991. In the years that followed, the Phoenix Regional Sports Commission assumed custodianship of the Hall of Fame, including developing a plan in the mid-90s to find the Hall a permanent home.
The Sports Commission partnered with the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce to launch an Arizona Sports Awards luncheon in December 1999 at the Civic Center. The Hall of Fame was a key piece to that event. In January 2001 another luncheon event was held, and in 2002 a cocktail function took place at the Herberger Theater where Jerry Colangelo and Curly Culp were inducted. The Hall of Fame was dormant from 2002 to 2009.
In early 2008, the Sports Commission began planning a re-launch of the Hall of Fame. On April 16, 2009 the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame was revitalized with an induction ceremony at The Phoenician. Over 300 people were on hand to honor four inductees including Al McCoy, Darren Woodson, Linda Vollstedt, and Bob Horner.
Today, the Hall of Fame ceremony stands as the sole annual fundraiser for the Sports Commission each year. Funds raised will support the Sports Commission’s mission to “enhance our community through sports.” This includes attracting sporting events to the Valley of the Sun, promoting the existing events and sports teams in Greater Phoenix, and to support youth sports programs in the region.
The 42nd induction ceremony of the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame is slated for the spring of 2012. For ticket or sponsorship information surrounding Hall of Fame Week, contact Amanda Petru at amanda@phoenixsports.org
Arizona Sports Hall of Fame Inductees
Randall McDaniel – Arizona State University Football Player, member of college and pro football hall of fames
Curt Schilling – Major League Pitcher, six all-star teams, three world series
Kerri Strug – Olympic Gold Medalist from Tucson
Ty Murray – 9 time world rodeo champion, born in Phoenix
U of A 1997 Basketball Team – 1997 NCAA Basketball Champions
Billy Mayfair – Arizona State, professional golfer
Bob Baffert – University of Arizona, Renowned horse trainer and Kentucky Derby winner
Sean Elliott – University of Arizona, NBA All Star
Linda Vollstedt – Arizona State Golf Coach
Bob Horner – Arizona State, Major League Baseball player
Darren Woodson – Arizona State, Dallas Cowboys
Curley Culp – Yuma H.S., ASU football player, wrestler
Charles Hickox – Olympic gold medal swimming star
Gov. Rose Mofford – Softball star, Cactus League backer as governor
Ben Avery – Outdoors columnist, Arizona Republic
Dwight Patterson – Founding father of Cactus League
Bob Vache – Channel 12 sports anchor, Suns broadcaster
John Riggle – Executive director of Arizona Golf Association
Abe Chanin – Sports Editor, Arizona Daily Star
George McLeod – Sports Editor, Tucson Daily Citizen
Larry Walker – Fast-Pitch softball kingpin, founder of BCI
Dave Hicks – Columnist, Arizona Republic
Jack Stewart – Founding father of Fiesta Bowl
Frank Gianelli – Sports Editor, Arizona Republic
Bob Allison – Sports Editor, Phoenix Gazette
Karsten Solheim – Golf club manufacturer and golf benefactor
Roger McCluskey – USAC auto-racing start from Tucson
Art Van Haren Sr. – Legendary baseball and softball umpire
Bill Miller – Olympic javelin thrower
Warren Livingston – Mesa H.S., UofA, Dallas Cowboys Football Player
Dot Wilkinson – Softball legend, international bowling champ
Frank Sancet – University of Arizona baseball coach
Edgar “Mutt” Ford – Long-time football coach at Mesa High School
Wilford “Whizzer” White – Mesa H.S./ASU star running back
Rudy Lavik – Arizona State University athlete and coach
E. Earl Pomeroy – Mesa High School, BYU athletic great
Joseph Lancer Sr. – Owner of minor-league Phoenix Senators
Robbie Robinson – Phoenix Union High School football coach
Jess Mortenson – Thatcher, AZ, track star, long-time USC coach
