The Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame was established in 1951 to honor outstanding sports figures from Wisconsin whose achievements brought them special acclaim. The first induction featured Jesse Owens, Ralph Metcalfe, Connie Mack, Al Simmons, Don Hutson, Clarke Hinkle and over 800 people attended the first event.

In fact, this Hall of Fame is recognized as the first state athletic hall of fame in the United States, and pre-dates national halls for major sports like the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963 and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1959. 

Early Years and Displays

Originally, bronze Hall of Fame plaques were displayed inside the Milwaukee Arena and were viewable by paying visitors only. 

On the Hall of Fame’s 50th anniversary in 2001, the Wisconsin Sports Development Corporation (WSDC) created the Wisconsin Athletic Walk of Fame outside the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena. This permanent public promenade displays the bronze plaques of inductees so the public can enjoy Wisconsin’s sports history year-round at no cost. 

Organizational Changes and Saving the Hall for Wisconsin

During the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Hall of Fame faced organizational struggles, including interruptions in induction ceremonies and administrative issues, tied in part to shifting venue dynamics and management changes. In 2014, TEAM LAMMI, a Milwaukee sports-marketing firm led by its Founder and CEO Brian Lammi, along with Green Bay Packers Super Bowl Champion and All-Time Leading Receiver Donald Driver, stepped in to acquire the Hall of Fame and preserve its legacy. In addition to relaunching an annual induction, Lammi and Driver added an annual Golf Outing, made a major investment in the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame Walkway, created TV and Radio content honoring inductees, and created a non-profit foundation to support youth sports organizations. The Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame Foundation focuses on TLC - Teamwork, Leadership and Character development by making youth athletics in Wisconsin more accessible, affordable and impactful.

Annual Inductions & New Projects

Each year, new classes of athletes, coaches, and contributors are inducted into the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame during an official ceremony. Notable inductees include Hank Aaron, Vince Lombardi, Oscar Robertson, Bonnie Blair, Robin Yount, Bart Starr, Brett Favre, Eric Heiden, Curly Lambeau, Ernie Johnson, Barry Alvarez, Al McGuire and many others who have made a significant impact in athletics and the Wisconsin community.

In 2025, the Hall of Fame inducted its 75th anniversary class of Packers legend Mason Crosby, National broadcasting icon Ernie Johnson Jr. and NFL Hall of Famer Joe Thomas.

In 2025, Executive Director Mark Kass helped launch a Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame Speakers Series presented by Ted Kellner and the Kelben Foundation that pairs a top Wisconsin sports executive with a Hall of Fame icon. In 2026, the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame created a new podcast featuring conversations between Kass and a Hall of Famer about their legendary careers and current happenings in the sporting world.

Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame Walkway presented by Network Health

The Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame Walkway in downtown Milwaukee remains the central public face of the Hall of Fame, open and free to the public 24 hours per day, 7 days per week and 365 days per year. It provides a walk-through historical exhibit of inductees’ bronze plaques along North Vel R. Phillips Avenue, celebrating the state’s athletic excellence. 

In 2024, with no public financing, Brian Lammi and Donald Driver committed to a $1,000,000 investment to upgrade the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame Walkway. In addition to hanging banners on the east side of the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena, new signage was added, plus a digital LED board which highlights some of the greatest icons and athletic achievements in Wisconsin history.