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Winthrop Athletics Hall of Fame Selection Policy
Purpose
The purpose of the Winthrop University Athletics Hall of Fame is to recognize and honor those whose outstanding contributions have enriched the athletic program. To preserve the memories of those persons that brought distinction to Winthrop University intercollegiate athletic programs. The Winthrop University Athletics Hall of Fame was formed in 2003 and the first class of inductees was in 2004. Â
Eligibility
Student-Athlete
·        A former student-athlete is eligible to be considered for the Winthrop Hall of Fame following a waiting period of five years after their graduation or end of eligibility from Winthrop.Â
·        The student-athlete must have completed graduation.
·        Exceptions to this requirement include those student-athletes who were drafted or signed to play professionally prior to graduation, or those student-athletes who elected to serve in a branch of the United States Armed Forces before graduation. The Hall of Fame committee may also vote to override the completion of graduation with 100 percent agreement followed by Board of Trustees approval.
·        To be considered the student-athlete must have participated a minimum of two seasons for Winthrop.
 Coach/Administrator
·        A coach or administrator is eligible immediately following their departure from Winthrop University either through retirement, by accepting a position with another school, or changing professions.
·        Must have coached for a minimum of five seasons for Winthrop to be considered.
 Supporter Eligibility
·        An individual who has been a loyal supporter a number years is eligible
·        Made significant contributions toward the enhancement of a sport(s) or entire athletic department
Criteria for Consideration
   The following is a list of criteria that will be considered when reviewing nominations for the Hall of Fame. Student-Athletes are eligible five years following graduation or final year of competition (should the athlete be competing while in graduate school)
1. Graduation from Winthrop University
2. National or regional athletic honors
3. Big South Conference athletic honors
4. Achievements such as regular season championships, conference titles, NCAA/NAIA postseason appearances and postseason success
5. National and conference academic honors
6. Contributions to society and/or the business, government or educational community
7. Success in chosen career
8. Level of support for Winthrop Athletics
9. Community service                                                                               Â
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Selection Procedure
   Nominations are accepted, but candidates are mainly gathered by the communications office and the Hall of Fame committee based on criteria. A list compiled of all student-athletes, coaches, administrators, and supporters that qualify (whether they were nominated or not) are distributed to the committee every year. The Athletic Communications department creates the master list along with support information. Nominations can be made by emailing reddenb@winthrop.edu or mailed to Athletic Communications, 1162 Eden Terrace, Winthrop Coliseum, Rock Hill, SC 29733.Â
Screening
   The selection committee in conjunction with the department of Athletic Communications will act as a screening committee and will review the list of nominees to be considered for each Hall of Fame class. A master list of eligible nominations will be reviewed and trimmed down to a maximum of 20 for voting to produce an induction class. Â
Selection Committee
   A selection committee shall also be appointed and approved by the president of the university and director of athletics along with the athletic communication office. The selection committee will review the nominations submitted each year and make its recommendations on inductees to the Winthrop Board of Trustees for final approval. There shall be no set number of inductees as that will be determined year to year upon the available pool of nominations. However, there will be a maximum of 10 inductees in each class.
   The selection committee will consist of a minimum of eight members that includes a mix of the athletic communications director, member of the university alumni office, former student-athletes, a current or former head coach, and at least 3 or more at-large members (current or former employees of the university).Â
Recognition
   An annual Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony shall be held each year in January or February for the purpose of recognizing the inductees. Each inductee will be presented an attractive wooden plaque for personal display. In addition to the dinner and induction ceremony, Winthrop Athletics shall recognize the Hall of Fame classes as follows:
1. Distribution of a news article during the fall semester via the Winthrop web site and media outlets to announce the induction class.
2. Distribution of a second news article along with photos publicizing the induction ceremony.
3. Recognition at halftime of the men's basketball game the Saturday following the Hall of Fame recognition dinner
3. The permanent display of each inductee's plaque on the Hall of Fame wall in the Winthrop Coliseum near the Eagle Club Room.
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In 2011 there were no individual Hall of Fame inductions as the athletic department chose to honor its Teams of Distinction during the university's 125th Anniversary celebration.
The list of teams to be honored include:  1980-81 Men's Basketball, 1981 Baseball, 1987 Softball, 1987-88 Men's Basketball, 1988-89 Women's Golf, 1994 Women's Tennis, 1995 Baseball, 1997 Men's Tennis, 2000 Men's Cross Country, 2002 Volleyball, 2002 Men's Soccer, 2006 Women's Soccer, 2007 Softball, 2006-07 Men's Basketball, 2008-09 Women's Basketball. |
In 2024 the 16th Team of Distinction was Inducted
1998-99 Men's Basketball |
