Nominations for Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame open until July 31
Nominations for the Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame class of 2007 are being accepted now until July 31, 2007. The 12th Annual Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame Banquet and Auction honoring the inductees will be held at 7 p.m., on Saturday, December 1, 2007 at the Hilton Anatole Hotel.
The Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame , housed at the African-American Museum in Dallas' Fair Park, was established to chronicle the sports history contributions made by African Americans in the state. It was established in 1996 to honor coaches and athletes of high character and athletic achievement, who are either Texans by birth or by athletic participation (collegiate or professional), and who have made a recognizable contribution to African-American culture and/or history.
Nominated athletes must have been retired from sports for at least five years and must possess exemplary sportsmanship and citizenship records. There is no retirement requirement for coaches, but they must not be an active coach at the time of their nomination. The general public submits the nominees, and a panel of judges (including sports journalist) makes the final selection. This year the committee hopes to receive nominations for women and non-mainstream sports participants.
Nomination forms may be picked up at the African American Museum, located at 3536 Grand Avenue, or printed from the museum's website . All completed forms must be submitted to the African American Museum no later than JULY 31, 2007.
The Hall of Fame includes legendary Dallas Cowboy Stars such as Tony Dorsett, Drew Pearson, Preston Pearson, Mel Renfro, Ed “Too Tall” Jones, Robert Newhouse, Rayfield Wright, Billy Joe Dupree, Jethro Pugh, and Everson Walls. The Hall of Fame also includes other heroes and heroines such as State Senator Royce West, David Lattin and the 1966 “Glory Road” UTEP Team, Coach Hensley Sapenter, Ervin Garnett, Coach Jackie Carr, Jolanda Jones, Spud Webb, Rolando Blackmon, Spud Webb, Earl Campbell, Ernie Banks, Zina Garrison Jackson, Elvin Hayes, and William “Billy” Nicks.
The list of sports luminaries continues, with inductees such as the 1968 NFL number one draftee and three-time All-American, Elvin “Big E” Hayes; NFL Hall of Famer, the late Dick “Night Train” Lane; former Negro Leaguers Bill Blair and Ernie Banks (Chicago Clubs); Olympiads: Rafer Johnson (also a charter member of the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame), Gold Medalist Fred Newhouse, and Track team head coach Barbara Jacket.
In addition to the public recognition of these sports figures at the annual Banquet, the Hall of Fame’s objectives are to collect and preserve objects documenting the history of the Texas African-American athlete, create a permanent exhibition on the subject, and to develop educational programs for both children and adults.
Each year on the morning before the Banquet, the Museum presents A Family Day and Sports Clinic featuring current and former inductees. School age children and their families meet the athletes, and secure photos and autographs.Proceeds from the Banquet and Auction benefit the education programs and exhibitions of the African American Museum.
Go directly to nomination form by clicking this link.
