Southern Conference Hall of Fame

   In May of 2008, the Executive Committee of the Southern Conference approved the creation of a Hall of Fame to honor outstanding student-athletes, coaches and administrators. The project had been a stated goal of Commissioner Iamarino's office for nearly two years prior to adoption.

Athletes must have competed in a SoCon-sponsored sport for a minimum of two years to be eligible, and must be at least five years removed from attending the institution as a student-athlete. Coaches and administrators must have been part of the conference for a minimum of five years. Active coaches may be considered with at least 10 years of service in a conference-sponsored sport.

Initial Hall of Fame nominees were sought from all 12 current member institutions as well as the 31 athletic programs that were once SoCon members. In all, 254 nominations were received. A committee within the conference office reduced the original list to a more manageable 45-person ballot. A voting panel composed of 20 past and present administrators and media was then asked to vote for 10 candidates.

The first induction ceremony was held on May 4, 2009 at the Chapman Cultural Center in Spartanburg, S.C. Among those in attendance were such notable sports figures as Jerry West, Sam Huff, Dick Groat and Frank Selvy. Arnold Palmer was out of the country on business, but videotaped his acceptance remarks for those in attendance.

In the fall of 2009, the conference created a special contributor category to honor administrators. The first inductee in this category, which will be filled periodically, was J. Dallas Shirley, longtime SoCon basketball coordinator of officials.

The Class of 2010 induction ceremony took place on June 1, 2010 at the Crowne Plaza Resort on Hilton Head Island, S.C., as part of the league's annual Honors Dinner. Among those honored were legendary coaches Everett Case and Wallace Wade, and basketball greats Hot Rod Hundley and Fred Hetzel.

Preliminary plans call for the 2011 Hall of Fame ceremony to be held on May 24 in Charleston, SC, site of the SoCon baseball tournament which begins the following day. It is anticipated that the ceremony will be held in conjunction with future SoCon basketball tournaments beginning in March of 2012.

2010 Induction Class