Program guide
How to Start a School Hall of Fame: Committee, Criteria and First Class
By TouchHall · Updated · 9 min read
Most hall of fame programs fail for the same reason: they start with the plaque instead of the process. Get the committee and the criteria right, and the display is the easy part.
1. Form a committee of five to nine people
Include the athletic director or principal, one or two long-serving staff, alumni from different decades and a booster or foundation representative. An odd number avoids tied votes.
2. Write criteria before you take nominations
Decide who is eligible before any names are on the table. It keeps the process fair and makes rejections easier to explain.
- Years since graduation (five or ten is common)
- Categories: athlete, coach, team, contributor, distinguished alumni
- Minimum accomplishments or a holistic vote
- Character clause and how it is applied
- Maximum inductees per class
3. Open nominations to the community
An online nomination form with a document upload for supporting material brings in far better candidates than word of mouth. Keep nominations on file for three to five years so strong candidates are not lost.
4. Research and verify
Yearbooks, newspaper archives and state association records are your friends. Assign each committee member a handful of nominees to verify stats and dates before the vote.
5. Plan the induction ceremony
Pair the ceremony with a homecoming game or a spring banquet. Recognize inductees on the field or court, then hold a dinner where each gives a short speech. Record the speeches; they become the video on each inductee's profile.
6. Choose a display that will outlast the committee
Whatever you choose, make sure it has space for the next thirty classes. A digital hall of fame solves the capacity question on day one and gives families a permanent online page they can share.