In September 1994, the San Antonio Sports Foundation found a way to follow up on the previous year’s whirlwind of success. The foundation announced the formation of a selection committee for the San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame. For decades, there had been discussion of establishing a local sports hall of fame, but it had never been fully pursued. The selection committee was made up of 40 members of the local sports community, ranging from sports journalist Dan Cook to Wayne Witt, the former media relations manager for the Spurs and Missions.
In December, the inaugural class of the San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame was announced. Joining the Hall as its first members in 1995 were legends George Gervin, Spurs forward, Tommy Nobis, Longhorn and Falcons linebacker, Kyle Rote, SMU and Giants wide receiver, and Bob Coleman, who was instrumental in the building of the Alamodome and the creation of the San Antonio Sports Foundation.
The San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame has since come to recognize prominent figures from all segments of the city’s sports history, from sports stars to businesspeople who have helped the local sports scene flourish. Click here for a list of all members in the San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame.
The Hall of Fame induction banquet became a gala event for San Antonio Sports. After its first year, the ceremony moved to the floor of the Alamodome, featuring multimedia presentations for each inductee and a live auction. Now hosted at the San Antonio Convention Center and known as the San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame Tribute, the annual gala and induction ceremony is the largest annual fundraiser for San Antonio Sports’ youth programs.