Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame

Induction Ceremony

The Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is an annual celebration that honors the state’s most accomplished athletes, coaches, teams, and contributors whose achievements have left a lasting impact on Wisconsin sports.

Held each year in front of a distinguished audience of peers, family members, and fans, the ceremony recognizes inductees for excellence, leadership, and dedication both on and off the field.

2026 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
presented by Network Health

Wednesday, July 8, 2026

Marcus Performing Arts Center, Milwaukee

Become a part of this exclusive event!

Just announced!

Mark Murphy, the retired Green Bay Packers CEO who led the franchise to nearly two decades of success, and legendary U.S. National Soccer coach Bob Gansler will both be inducted into the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame on July 8, 2026. This 76th anniversary induction, presented by Network Health, celebrates two titans of the sporting world who have left an indelible mark on the state's athletic history.

The much-anticipated induction ceremony will be held at the Marcus Performing Arts Center in downtown Milwaukee, with a pre-event reception beginning at 5 p.m. The inductees will be honored at an awards ceremony beginning at 7 pm in Uihlein Hall.

More inductees to the class of 2026 to be announced soon!

“I’m extremely humbled and honored to be inducted into the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame. The Packers are a special and unique organization, the best in all of professional sports.  I’m very proud of all that we accomplished during my tenure, both on and off the field.” - Mark Murphy, retired Green Bay Packers CEO

“Soccer provided me with some amazing opportunities in my life and I am forever grateful for all that I was able to accomplish in this incredible sport. To Be recognized and enter a Hall of Fame with the likes of Hank Aaron, Bud Selig, Vince Lombardi and Donald Driver is humbling”- Bob Gansler, U.S. National Soccer Coach

Mark Murphy talk about his career & induction into the HOF

Hear Mark Murphy talk about being inducted into the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame this July.

Hear Mark Murphy talk about his proudest moment!

Become a part of this exclusive event!

HOF Induction Ceremony - Row of 8 seats
$5,000.00

Join us at the 2026 Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame Induction ceremony. Purchase 8 seats for you and your guests.

Induction Shout Out
$2,500.00

Would you like to congratulate this year’s inductees at the 76th HOF Induction Ceremony? Your graphic will be included in the presentation during the ceremony on July 8 and displayed on the Hall of Fame Walkway LED board throughout the month of July. We will reach out with specs for the image needed.

Interested in becoming a sponsor?

Contact Mark Kass @ mkass@wihalloffame.com

Become a Sponsor

2025 Hall of Fame Inductees

Mason Crosby, Green Bay legend, standing outdoors against a brick wall, wearing a blue jacket, smiling, with a quote about his football career and induction into the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame.
A man with a beard and short hair smiling in front of a promotional poster for the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame, featuring the hall of fame logo, a quote, and his name, Joe Thomas.
Portrait of Ernie Johnson Jr., a man in a suit with a bow tie, standing against a teal background, with text promoting his induction into the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame.
Three men in suits holding football helmets at an indoor event with a background featuring a sports-themed design and backlit blue accents.
Two men hugging on stage at the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame event, with a podium and a large WI logo in the background, surrounded by an audience.
An award ceremony on a stage with two men, one in a blue suit and the other in a gray checkered suit, exchanging a football helmet. The stage has a futuristic design with neon lights, a backdrop with geometric patterns, and a podium with the W Athlet
Two men in suits sitting and talking, smiling, in an indoor setting with a teal wall in the background. One man is blurred and the other is looking at him, with a helmet on the floor nearby.
Group of eight people, children and adults, posing on a stage with a blue background, some children wearing pink dresses and holding a soccer ball, two large posters of individuals in medical uniforms are visible on the right.
Two men in suits seated on stage during an interview or talk, with one man gesturing and the other smiling, in front of a blue background with sports memorabilia like football helmets and framed photos.
Man in a suit presenting on stage at a sports hall of fame event, with a large logo behind him reading 'WI' and 'Athletic Hall of Fame' on a podium and banners.
Three men in suits on stage at an event, with one handing an award or item to another, and the third holding a white helmet, in front of a blue backdrop with a logo.
Two men in suits smiling and holding an American football helmet on stage at an event with blue decor and a photo display in the background.
A group of people attending a formal event, with a focus on a man in a light blue suit and white shirt, looking attentively to the left.
Man in a dark suit and red tie standing at a transparent podium with a microphone, smiling, on a stage with black curtains and a decorative lighted structure, during an athletic hall of fame event.
Four men smiling, standing outdoors, one holding a framed document; they are in front of a wall with plaques, with a cityscape visible behind them.
A woman in a yellow blazer speaking at a podium with microphones, wearing glasses and a large red flower accessory.
Two men in suits seated on stage having a conversation during an event with an audience. The stage background features football helmets, framed photos of individuals, and a large sign reading 'Hall of Fame.' The setting appears to be a formal NCAA Am
Person standing at podium speaking at event, audience in foreground, dark background.
A woman and a man are having a conversation outside a building. The woman is wearing a blue patterned dress and glasses, holding a book or brochure. The man is dressed in a formal tuxedo with a bow tie, holding some papers or cards.
A man in a gray suit giving a speech at the Athletic Hall of Fame event, standing behind a podium with a sign that says 'Athletic Hall of Fame' and the year 1951, in a dimly lit room with an audience.
Two men sitting at a radio station table outdoors with broadcasts equipment and bottles of water, one wearing headphones and speaking, the other listening.
A man in a grey suit and red tie giving a speech at a podium with a WI Athletic Hall of Fame banner. He is holding a framed certificate or award. There are black curtains and a blue and white dotted wall background behind him.
Large digital screen displaying portraits and names of four individuals being inducted into Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame, including Ernie Johnson Jr., Joe Thomas, and Mason Crosby, with a banner celebrating the 75th anniversary.
People attending an outdoor event, sitting and watching a performance or presentation. The group includes elderly and middle-aged adults, with one woman holding a wine glass.
Man in professional attire wearing a headset with microphone working on a computer in an office setting.
Two men in suits are seated on stage in a discussion, with football helmets and images in the background at an event called the 'Hall of Fame'.
Three men in suits standing together on stage, holding a white football helmet, with a blue backdrop and display case featuring helmets and a photo of a person in athletic gear.

Relive the moments from past years

Three men standing on stage, one holding a football helmet, at an event recognizing Matt Kenseth as a 2024 inductee.
Smiling man in a suit speaking into a microphone at a conference or event
Two people smiling at a photo event with a backdrop that displays logos of the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame, Associated Bank, and other sponsors. The man is wearing a black shirt, has a beard, and tattoos on his left arm. The woman is wearing a wh
Two men are seated on stage in black armchairs during the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame ceremony. One man is wearing a white shirt and glasses, and the other is in a dark suit with a microphone. Behind them, a large screen displays an image of a ma
Group of six people on stage, two women and four men, holding oversized checks for scholarship awards, smiling, with a large screen and a logo in the background.
A man in a dark suit, white shirt, and red tie sitting in front of a backdrop with logos for Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame and University of Wisconsin logos.
An elderly man in a business suit, sitting in front of a backdrop with Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame logos, wearing a striped red and white tie, light blue shirt, and dark gray suit, during an interview or event.
Group of six people standing on stage at an awards ceremony, holding plaques or trophies, smiling for a photo, with a large blue and white logo in the background.
Four men standing on stage, holding an award, with a large screen behind them displaying the logo and text for the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
Two men sitting on a stage, speaking into microphones, with a large screen behind them that reads 'Ethnic Hall of Fame' and 'Recognition Ceremony'. The man on the left is wearing glasses and a gray suit, while the man on the right has gray hair, a mu
Group of five men at an awards ceremony, one man holding a glass award, standing in front of a blue screen with white text and logos.
Two men dressed in suits standing together at a Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame event in front of a step-and-repeat backdrop. The backdrop features the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame logo and text.
A man in a dark blue suit, white shirt, and tie standing in front of a backdrop with the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame logo.
Two men wearing suits smiling and posing together at the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame event, with a backdrop featuring the event's logo.
Two men in suits shaking hands and smiling at the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame event, with a blue and white backdrop featuring the organization's logo.
Two men smiling and engaging in conversation at a formal event, one is standing with a medal around his neck, wearing a light-colored jacket, and the other is seated in a dark uniform with a red badge, in a dimly lit indoor setting.
Two men holding the NBA championship trophy at a formal event, with a banquet setting in the background.
Two men on a stage at Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame event, one speaking at a podium, the other listening.

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