Nominations and Voting Criteria

Eligibility Standards

The nominee must have participated in a sport sanctioned by an organization having state, national, or international status.

Achievements of the nominee must have been gained against challenging competition and shall have been superior among participants in the same sport.

The nominee must be connected by residence, or place of achievement, within the City of Elgin.

The nominee shall have been out of his/her sport for 5 years (an athlete from his/her last athletic competition) except that an athlete who reaches the age of 50 may be considered despite the fact the athlete continues to participate in the sport or activity.

The Hall of Fame Board Members will be eligible for nomination and induction into the Elgin Sports Hall of Fame beginning in the year 1992, providing that they meet all other eligibility requirements. Persons inducted into the Elgin Sports Hall of Fame may serve on the Foundation’s Board.

Induction Rules and Regulations

General Rule

No more than five eligible nominees shall be inducted each year, with no more than three representing any one sport.

By the Membership

Three nominees receiving votes on at least 30% of the membership ballots shall be inducted with a limit of two representing any one sport.

If only two nominees are named (voted for) on the required 30% of membership ballots, both shall be inducted.

If three or more nominees are named on the required 30% of the ballots, only the top three vote-getters shall be inducted with a limit of two representing any one sport. Ties in the order of finish in membership ballots shall be decided by a vote of the Hall of Fame Board of Directors.

Example 3A: If three basketball players finish 1-2-3 in voting and a gymnast is fourth, the two basketball players who were named on the highest number of ballots and the gymnast shall be inducted.
Example 3B: If three basketball players finish 1-2-3 in membership balloting, only the top two shall be inducted.
Example 3C: Three football players finish 1-2-3 with two of the football players tying for the second-most votes. The Board of Directors breaks the tie with each board member in attendance casting a vote for one player involved in the tie. The top vote-getter and the nominee selected by the Board shall be inducted.

4. If no nominee(s) are named (voted for) on 30% of the membership ballots, no nominee is eligible that year for automatic induction into the Hall.

5. If the maximum three nominees are inducted by the membership, no less than one inductee who achieved excellence 40 years prior to that year’s induction must be inducted. If one of the three inductees does not meet these criteria, the Hall of Fame Board selects this inductee.

By the Board

1. “Old-Timers Exemption.” The Board of Directors, with a minimum 60% vote of those members in attendance, may select no more than two nominees a year to be inducted who achieved distinction 40 years prior to the date of that year’s induction. If three nominees are elected by the membership and none meet these “old-timers” criteria, no less than one “old-timer” must be inducted by the Board.

A. If no nominee receives the required 60% of the vote by the Board, discussion and voting will continue until no less than one nominee does receive the required votes.
B. If more than one nominee receives the required 60% of the vote, the Board may decide to induct a second “old-timer.” The top vote-getter shall be inducted and a second, separate ballot shall be voted on. All inductees must receive at least 60% of the vote to be inducted.

2. “Special exemption induction.” The Board, with a vote of 60% of its members in attendance, may select no more than two nominees a year to be inducted into the Hall.

A. The number of “special exemptions” allowed the Board for that year is based on the accompanying chart.

*One or more membership inductees meet “Old-Timers” criteria

Special Considerations / Rules

1. The Board of Directors, in voting for “old-timers” and “special exemption” inductions, may nominate and vote for only those nominees that have appeared on the ballot submitted to the general membership.

2. Members of the Board are not bound to vote for any nominee based on the vote of the general membership. The Board, however, should take under strong consideration when nominating and voting for “old-timers” and “special exemption” inductions, the following:

A. Number of ballots nominee was named on from the general membership election.
B. Number of inductees representing each sport.
C. Nominees receiving required 30% of membership vote but did not qualify for induction due to other Hall of Fame regulations.

3. Nominees named on less than 5% of the general membership ballots for three consecutive years will be dropped from the ballot for one-year minimum and may then be re-nominated.

4. Induction by the Board should be held in conjunction with the meeting when the ballots of the general membership are counted.