"Only a man who knows what it is like to be defeated can reach down to the bottom of his soul and come up with the extra ounce of power it takes to win when the match is even."
—Muhammad Ali, Inducted 1985
The Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame (KSHOF) is owned and operated by the Louisville Sports Commission, a Kentucky-based nonprofit whose mission is to create a legacy of economic and social vitality through sports. The KSHOF was founded in 1963 to recognize athletes and sports figures who are Kentucky natives, as well as individuals who participated in their respective sport or made a significant impact in a sports-related field in Kentucky.
The public is encouraged to nominate individuals for consideration for the KSHOF Class of 2027. Nominations open Nov. 1, 2026. Nominations received by 5 p.m. ET on Feb. 22, 2027, that meet the Selection Criteria will be placed in the pool of candidates for consideration by the KSHOF Selection Committee.
Click HERE to download a form.
The 2026 Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame inductees and their families will be honored on Oct. 29, 2026, at iconic Freedom Hall in Louisville, Ky. For ticket information or sponsorship opportunities, contact Julie Howell at jhowell@louisvillesports.org.
The 49th KSHOF class includes Lexington native Tyson Gay, a world-class sprinter who still holds the American record in the 100-meter dash with the third-fastest time ever; Lebanon native Lisa Mattingly, one of the most accomplished basketball officials at both the collegiate and professional levels; Louisville native Rajon Rondo, a standout point guard at the University of Kentucky, four-time NBA All-Star and two-time NBA champion; and Ashland native Brandon Webb, a standout pitcher at the high school, collegiate and professional levels and 2006 National League Cy Young Award winner.
Click HERE for more information about the Class of 2026.
See below for a highlight video of the induction ceremony celebrating our Class of 2025:
To be considered for nomination to the Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame (KSHOF) candidates must meet at least one of the following criteria:
All candidates under consideration for the KSHOF must meet at least one of the following criteria.
In addition to the above eligibility and selection criteria, all candidates must have represented themselves with dignity and class.
There are five categories for which a candidate will be considered for induction.
The following achievements carry significance during the evaluation process:
There will be no restrictions on any candidate based on gender, sexual orientation, nationality / country of origin, religion, or place of residence.
The public is encouraged to nominate individuals for consideration based on the KSHOF’s defined eligibility and selection criteria.
All nominations are reviewed by a screening committee consisting of sports experts and community volunteers. The screening committee evaluates nominations based on the established criteria and provides the Selection Committee with a list of eligible candidates.
The Selection Committee consists of sports media professionals from throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Committee members review the list of candidates and vote for their top five choices using a 10-7-5-3-1 point system: first place receives 10 points, second place 7 points, third place 5 points, fourth place 3 points and fifth place 1 point. The candidates receiving the highest point totals are selected for induction.
All votes are independently tabulated by regional accounting and advisory firm Dean Dorton, one of the largest accounting and advisory firms in Kentucky, with offices in Louisville and Lexington. No member of the Louisville Sports Commission board or staff participates in the voting or tabulation process.
2026 Selection Committee Members
The Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame Selection Committee is comprised of the following members of the media from across Kentucky:
Karl Schmitt Jr., Selection Committee Advisor
502-262-2807 – cell
kschmitt@louisvillesports.org
Julie Howell, Chief Revenue Officer
502-587-6742 – office
502-376-6450 – cell
jhowell@louisvillesports.org
Lisa Mills, Vice President, Marketing and PR
502-814-0200 – office
502-689-2976 – cell
lmills@louisvillesports.org
The Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame (KSHOF) was founded in 1963 to recognize athletes and sports figures who were born in Kentucky, competed in their respective sports in the Commonwealth or made a significant impact in a sports-related field in Kentucky. Each inductee is recognized with a bronze plaque displayed in the official enshrinement gallery at iconic Freedom Hall at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Ky.
After a hiatus in the 1970s and 1980s, the KSHOF was reinstated with a volunteer board of directors aligned with Kosair Charities, which provided administrative support and oversaw the annual induction banquet. In return, Kosair Charities was the beneficiary of an annual donation. In 2018, when Kosair Charities ended its longtime relationship with the KSHOF, the KSHOF board unanimously voted to have the Louisville Sports Commission oversee and administer all aspects of the Hall of Fame.
KSHOF inductees by year:
