The Georgia Sports Hall of Fame (GSHF) has released its latest newsletter, providing updates on recent events, exhibits, and honorees. The organization welcomed two summer interns, Enrique Fuentes from Georgia State University and Ivy Nelson from Mercer University. Both were tasked with creating their own museum exhibits. Fuentes developed a soccer display featuring memorabilia from his players and information about the history of professional soccer in Georgia. Nelson curated an exhibit honoring University of Georgia tennis coaches Manuel Diaz and Dan Magill, with items on loan from the ITA Men’s Tennis Hall of Fame.
Arthur Blank, inducted into the Hall in 2018, was recognized as ESPN’s 2021 Philanthropist of the Year. According to AtlantaFalcons.com: “As an early signer of The Giving Pledge, Blank lives his ‘give back to others’ core value by investing his resources, time and energy to help people live healthier, more productive lives. He meets this pledge primarily through The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation and his diverse set of businesses. After 25 years and more than $800 million in giving, the Foundation has committed to significantly accelerating the impact of its philanthropy over the next 10+ years and looking for opportunities to address the growing crisis of disconnection in our nation.”
Executive Director Jim McLendon reflected on the success of the 65th Annual Induction Ceremony held in May: “The 65th Annual Induction Ceremony in May was a spectacular event! Thanks to the dedication and hard work of the GSHF staff, the weekend went very smoothly! The weather was perfect, we had an attendance much larger than our goal, and we were able to recognize and honor eight tremendous athletes and sports personalities by inducting them into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame.” The Class of 2021 included Tony Barnhart, Tom Glavine, Joe Hamilton, Janet Harris, Brian Jordan, Ray Lamb, Maya Moore (not pictured), and Matt Stinchcomb (not pictured).
Humanitarian awards were also presented at this ceremony: Coach Bert Williams received The J.B. Hawkins Humanitarian Award; Emily Parker Myers was honored with The Taz Anderson Service Award; Amanda Dinkel received The Erk Russell Spirit Award; Kathy McMinn received The Emily Parker Myers Leadership Award. Emily Parker Myers was also recognized for her decade-long service on the GSHF Authority.
Planning is underway for next year’s induction ceremony scheduled for February 18-19, 2022. Committees will meet later this year to select new inductees from over 200 nominations.
Georgia athletes achieved notable success at the Tokyo Olympics as well. Kelley O’Hara won bronze in soccer alongside Jane Campbell and Emily Sonnett; Gunnar Bentz and Brooks Curry earned gold medals in swimming while Jay Litherland took silver; Elija Godwin won bronze in track’s relay event; Javianne Oliver secured silver in another relay race; Tyler Austin and Anthony Carter both claimed silver medals in baseball; Allisha Gray won gold as part of Team USA’s inaugural women’s basketball team for three-on-three competition; Vincent Hancock captured gold again in skeet shooting.
The newsletter also noted that longtime coach Bert Williams passed away on August 2 after being honored earlier this year with a humanitarian award.
The museum continues regular operating hours Tuesday through Saturday at its Macon location.
