I.Purpose

    A.    The Howard Payne University Sports Hall of Fame is established to honor athletes who have had an outstanding athletic career, former coaches or staff members and others who have made an exceptional contribution to the athletic program at Howard Payne University. The athlete honorees must have graduated at least five years prior to the nomination and all honorees must have represented the university well throughout his or her college and life experiences.

II.Selection Committee

    A.    The selection committee shall include the following individuals:

        1.Director of Athletics

        2.Sports Information Director

        3.President or Vice President designated by the President

        4.Faculty Athletic Representative

        5.Athletics Compliance/Business Operation Director

        6.One representative from the Athletics staff appointed by the Athletic Director

        7.Four at-large rotating members appointed by the Athletic Director in consultation with the President of Howard Payne University.

        * Only selection committee members can be present at the selection committee meeting.

    B.    The standing members of the selection committee shall consist of the individuals listed 1 through 5 in the aforementioned section.

    C.      Four rotating members appointed to four-year terms shall serve on the committee.  After a member’s term on the committee is complete, they will then roll off the committee for at least one year before serving another term.  One rotating member shall rotate off each year.

    D.      In the event of the Athletic Director’s absence, he or she will appoint the Chair of the committee. 

III. Selection Process

    A.     Solicitation of nominations shall be the responsibility of the Sports Information Director.

    B.     Nominations for the Howard Payne University Sports Hall of Fame shall be presented in writing or by email to the Sports Information Director by any interested person at any time. Deadline for submission for the following fall Sports Hall of Fame Induction is June 1st.  The selection committee shall decide upon the honorees for the upcoming Induction prior to August 1st.

    C.    All records of nominees shall be kept by the Sports Information Director.

    D.    The following categories for Sports Hall of Fame nominees shall be considered for both men and women:

        1.Athletes

        2.Coaches

        3.Athletic supporters

    E.    All nomination information shall be compiled by the Sports Information Director.

    F.    Up to two inductees per year may be selected for the Howard Payne University Sports Hall of Fame. Exceptions to this rule must be approved by the President.

    G.    Selection of an inductee shall require a minimum two-thirds vote of the selection committee members or by presidential approval.

IV. Criteria for Selection

    A.    An athlete, through athletic achievement, must have brought distinction and honor to himself or herself, to Howard Payne University, and to its intercollegiate athletic program. In addition, all inductees must have complete enrollment at HPU at least five years prior to their nomination and all honorees must have represented the university well throughout their collegiate and professional experiences.

    B.    A coach, athletic administrator or athletic staff member must have completed his/her term of employment with the University at least five years prior to the nomination.

    C.    If a non-athlete, the candidate shall be an individual who, in some manner, has made an extraordinary contribution to the success of the intercollegiate athletic programs at Howard Payne University.

    D.    The records of the person(s) considered shall be so outstanding that there will be little question as to the qualifications necessary for induction (e.g., All-American honors, etc.).

    E.    A candidate may be chosen posthumously.

    F.    Candidates must be approved by the University President.

V.  Induction

    A.    The Howard Payne University Sports Hall of Fame Induction shall typically be held during the Homecoming Alumni Awards Banquet.

    B.    Typically, admission to the Induction Banquet shall be complimentary to the inductee and his/her spouse or one guest.