VIRGINIA BEACH — For the first time in the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame’s 52-year history, its Induction Weekend activities will be held outside the 757-area code, with plans to host its 2024 Induction Weekend in conjunction with Henrico County at the county’s new Sports & Events Center.
The 2024 Induction events will include a Sponsor Welcome Reception on Friday, April 19, Breakfast with Champions the morning of Saturday, April 20, and the 2024 Hall of Fame Reception & Induction Ceremony later that evening, the Hall said. Both Saturday events will be held at the Sports & Events Center.
“We are extremely excited to share this premier event with a new audience”, said Hall of Fame Board of Directors Chairman Marty Miller. “As the Official Sports Hall of Fame in the Commonwealth, we must create visibility and provide engagement opportunities in other areas of the state. The capital region was a natural next step and we’re thankful for the partnerships that have formed.”
According to the Hall of Fame, hosting the Induction in Central Virginia was pushed forward by Henrico Sports & Entertainment Authority (HSEA) Executive Director, Dennis Bickmeier, and longtime CAA Commissioner and 2019 Virginia Sports Hall of Fame inductee, Tom Yeager.
“We are thrilled to announce another signature event for the new sports center,” said Dennis Bickmeier, Executive Director of the Henrico Sports & Entertainment Authority. “To be part of the Hall’s strategy for a greater presence in the state is a fantastic opportunity, and we look forward to making the 2024 Induction Weekend one that both the inductees and sports fans won’t forget.”
The Hall of Fame and HSEA had previously announced a physical exhibit presence in the Sports & Events Center highlighting the Hall’s inductees with ties to Central Virginia. That exhibit will be unveiled next spring, prior to the 2024 Induction Weekend.
This outreach into Central Virginia is part of a broader strategy advanced by the Hall of Fame and its Board of Directors, it said.
“We aim to be innovative in our approach and create a platform that is unique to the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame,” says Hall of Fame Executive Director, Will Driscoll. “The exhibit at the Sports & Events Center and the 2024 Induction are both major steps in that process. We hope adding these to the exhibits and event presence we currently have in Virginia Beach will lead to even more growth in other areas of the state.”
The Hall of Fame’s Screening and Honors Court committees will meet in the fall to review open nominations and select the new class of inductees, with a formal announcement targeted for late November, the Hall of Fame said. The deadline to submit a nomination for consideration is Friday, Sept. 1. Nominations may be submitted online through the Hall’s website, or mailed to Hall’s administrative office.
Information regarding the 2024 Induction Weekend may be found at the Hall of Fame’s website. Sponsorship and ticket information will be released in the fall, it said. Questions regarding Induction Weekend events should be directed to Will Driscoll, driscollw@VaSportsHOF.com.
