The deadline is quickly approaching – March 31, 2023 to be exact – for nominations for the Class of 2024 Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame was created in 1955 by the NSGA Board of Directors to honor the pioneers, innovators and leaders who have built the sporting goods industry and to help recognize and encourage excellence within the industry.

Anyone in the industry have the opportunity to submit the names of manufacturers, sporting goods retailers/dealers and industry influencers they deem worthy of election to the Hall of Fame for extraordinary contributions to the growth and progress of the industry. Nominations are reviewed by the Hall of Fame Committee, which is comprised of manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers/dealers, agents and industry influencers.

Candidates must be an industry manufacturer, sporting goods retailer or team dealer or an industry influencer. 

• The criteria for Manufacturers to be elected to the Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame include the development and successful production of products that significantly improve sports performance and the introduction of important safety factors for sporting goods products. All innovations must be substantiated.

• Retailers/Dealers must demonstrate innovation and leadership as well as participation in industry-wide activities. Monetary success is not a determining factor.

• Industry Influencers must have made a significant contribution to a program, organization or service directly impacting the sporting goods industry or have promoted the public’s awareness and appreciation of the importance of sports participation.

The three inductees in the Class of 2023 of the Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame (pictrured above) share an innovative spirit in different segments of the industry. James Clifford Keen of Cliff Keen Athletic, Jeff Lynn of Dunham’s Sports and Kent McKeaigg of OrderMyGear will join 178 retailers, team dealers, manufacturers and industry influencers who have been honored with induction into the Sporting Goods Industry Hall of. 

“We have an excellent group of inductees as the Class of 2023 who brought innovation to the industry in a variety of ways,” says Pat Donnelley, Chairman of the NSGA Board of Directors. “It is a tremendous thrill to welcome them to the Hall of Fame and to see them honored for their accomplishments.” 

The Hall of Fame dinner and induction ceremony will be held May 23, 2023 at the W Nashville in Nashville, TN, the site of the 2023 NSGA Management Conference & Team Dealer Summit. Bill Hunt of Champro, from the Class of 2022, will also be inducted with the 2023 group. 

To nominate an individual: https://nsga.org/hall-of-fame-nomination-form/