About the YMCA Hall of Fame

The YMCA Movement has been blessed with courageous, forward-looking leadership, both staff and volunteer, throughout its past and present. The rich heritage of the YMCA encompasses leaders who set new standards in their own YMCAs and communities, who influenced Y work nationally and internationally and who set a standard of excellence and achievement for generations of Y leaders to come.

Founded in 1985, the YMCA Hall of Fame recognizes the significant accomplishments and influence of these unique contributors to the Y Movement. The sponsoring organizations are focused on elevating the YMCA Hall of Fame to a level commensurate with the YMCA’s legacy, celebrating the history of the Movement by inducting past heroes, and educating today’s Y leaders about the accomplishments of those volunteers and staff who made memorable contributions to that remarkable history.

Selection and Induction

Inductions will be celebrated every three years at YMCA of the USA General Assemblies.

A call for nominations will be issued about a year prior to each induction. The announcement and accompanying nomination forms will be made available on the websites of all four sponsoring organizations.

Nominations may be submitted by active or retired YMCA staff members, or by current or former YMCA volunteers. No individual may nominate more than one candidate in any nomination cycle. A minimum of five letters of support must accompany each nomination; these must be written and signed by active or retired YMCA staff members or active or former volunteers. No individual may submit more than one recommendation in any nomination cycle.

Prospective staff candidates for induction will have completed their YMCA careers no less than five years prior to consideration. These individuals must have had recognized influence beyond local work, had significant influence on the future of the YMCA, and been recognized by peers as outstanding candidates.

As evidenced through the history of the Movement, the true genius of the YMCA lies in effective staff and volunteer partnership. For that reason, volunteers are eligible for inclusion in the YMCA Hall of Fame. Prospective volunteer inductees will have had a demonstrable influence of a profound and lasting nature on the national Movement.

The selection committee for each cycle will be established by the leaders of the four sponsoring organizations. The selection committee will be led by the Springfield College Director of the Office of YMCA Relations.

More information about the YMCA Hall of Fame, including detailed instructions for submitting nominations is available at www.springfieldcollege.edu/YHoF.