National Sailing Hall of Fame inductees process underway

by Jan Harley on 5 Apr 2011 National Sailing Hall of Fame (Annapolis, Md.)

The sport of sailing is a step closer to having its own 'Hall of Famers' with The National Sailing Center and Hall of Fame (NSHOF) today starting the process by going live with an online form that the general public is invited to use to make nominations.

The future Hall of Famers will be American citizens, 45 years of age and up, who have made significant impact on the growth and development of the sport in the U.S. in categories such as design, racing, cruising, coaching and administration, among others. Non-citizens may also be nominated if they have influenced the sport in the U.S., and posthumous nominations will also be accepted. The nomination period will close on June first, with the inductees for 2011 determined by late August. To make a nomination, click here

'We are excited to be joining other sports that recognize the accomplishments of their most outstanding participants,' said Dick Franyo (Annapolis, Md.), President of the NSHOF Board of Directors. 'The Hall of Fame is endorsed by US Sailing, the national governing body for the sport, and, judging by the feedback we have received, has the enthusiastic support of many sailors around the country.'

The historic first group of NSHOF inductees will be honored on October 23, 2011, during ceremonies scheduled to take place at San Diego Yacht Club in California. The undertaking to recognize Americans who have made outstanding contributions to the sport of sailing is central to the mission of the NSHOF which was formed in 2005 and has completed phase one of its plan to establish a permanent facility on the historic waterfront of Annapolis, Maryland.

A selection committee appointed by the NSHOF will include representatives from the national governing body, the sailing media, the sailing industry, community sailing, a maritime museum and NSHOF founding yacht clubs.

About the NSHOF: The National Sailing Center & Hall of Fame is a not-for-profit educational institution dedicated to: preserving the history of the sport and its impact on American culture; honoring those who have made outstanding contributions to the sport of sailing; the teaching of math, science and American history; inspiring and encouraging sailing development; and to providing an international landmark for sailing enthusiasts.

The NSHOF has partnered with US Sailing and the U.S. Naval Academy, and is associated with the Herreshoff Marine Museum, Sailing World, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Water Trail, the Congressional Cup and Hudson River Community Sailing in its efforts to recognize role models of outstanding achievement. For more information on the NSHOF, please visit: www.nshof.org