Columbia Athletics will hold its inaugural Athletics Hall of Fame Event on Saturday, February 18, 2006 on campus in the Rotunda of Low Memorial Library. The Athletics Hall of Fame Dinner is the cornerstone event in a weekend that will include basketball games, wrestling matches and alumni receptions and events.
"The Columbia Athletics Hall of Fame will recognize the university's finest athletes and teams," says Dr. M. Dianne Murphy, the director of intercollegiate athletics and physical education at Columbia University. "As we take Columbia Athletics to new heights, it is important that we remember, honor and pay tribute to all those who paved the way for our current student-athletes, coaches and administrators."
As part of the Varsity C Letterwinners Club, an Athletics Hall of Fame sub-committee has been formed, and is part of the Selection Committee, which Murphy will chair. The 14-person committee consists of members of Columbia's athletics administration and alumni.
For the inaugural Hall of Fame class, the selection committee will name up to 20 men and 10 women who are former Columbia University student-athletes. Additional categories include former coaches, athletics administrators and support staff and teams. This charter class will be presented on Feb. 18. at the Athletics Hall of Fame dinner. Over 200 nominees have been submitted for the inaugural class. Inductees will be announced later this winter.
The Hall of Fame constitution, including criteria for admission, is available online.
For information about tickets and sponsorships for the event, please contact Rachel Hitchcock, Athletics Development Officer, at 212-870-3416, or via email to rh2085@columbia.edu.
Media inquiries should be directed to Todd Kennedy, Director of Athletics Communications, at 212-854-7141, or via email to tk149@columbia.edu.
CRITERIA FOR NOMINATION FOR MEMBERSHIP IN THE COLUMBIA ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME:
1. Former Student-Athletes (Male and Female)
Outstanding contribution to intercollegiate athletics at Columbia University and/or Barnard College.
• Recipient of at least three varsity letters or equivalent accomplishments as verified by the Department of Athletics Director of Media Relations.
• Five years since last year of intercollegiate athletics eligibility.
2. Former Coaches
Outstanding contributions to their sport program(s) at Columbia University and/or Barnard College.
• Minimum of five years tenure in the Department of Athletics.
• Retirement, death or departure from the Department of Athletics of at least three years.
3. Former Athletics Administrators and Support Staff
Outstanding contributions to the intercollegiate athletics program at Columbia University and/or Barnard College.
• Minimum of five years tenure in the Department of Athletics.
• Retirement, death or departure from the Department of Athletics of at least three years.
4. Special Category for Teams
Eligibility for teams for induction to the Athletics Hall of Fame shall be based on outstanding accomplishments beyond the conference level with those teams ranking among the nation's elite for that specific sport season. Teams that finish first in Ivy League Championships, Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA), Eastern Intercollegiate Swim League (EISL) and/or finish in the top ten in Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Championships will be eligible. A varsity team shall be considered as one inductee and the induction of a team shall not prohibit the separate induction of one or more members of an inducted team. For teams to be eligible to be inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame, five years must have passed since the last year of competition.
5. Special Category for Individuals
Eligibility for individuals who did not play, coach, or who were not employed as an athletics staff member at Columbia University and/or Barnard College, but who have brought distinction and honor to Columbia University and/or Barnard College shall be eligible for induction to the Athletics Hall of Fame. Special achievements should be based on significant contributions to the ideal of intercollegiate athletics at Columbia University and/or Barnard College and involvement and support of the intercollegiate athletics program.
