Malone University Athletics

Malone Athletics Hall of Fame Nomination Procedure

The bottom line is that anyone who meets the "eligibility requirements" below (at bottom) can be submitted for nomination. If you would like to nominate someone, simply send the nomination name(s) by mail to Matthew Kennell, Malone University Athletic Department, 2600 Cleveland Ave. NW, Canton, Ohio 44709 or by email to mkennell@malone.edu.

Previously, we had simply placed all names submitted to us on the actual nomination ballot for consideration by the Selection Committee.  That list became a bit too un-manageable for our committee to pour through.  With 20 intercollegiate sports, the list of nominees on the ballot grew to nearly 80.  We now need to make this list a bit more manageable for our committee. So, here is how we have decided to keep our nomination ballot at a reasonable level each year. While anyone can still be submitted for nomination (see first paragraph above), only a maximum of two (2) persons from each sport will actually be eligible to be placed on the official nomination ballot that will go to the Selection Committee. When more than two nominees are submitted for any one sport, the current Malone coach of that sport (with the assistance of the Athletic Director and Sports Information Director) will determine which two (2) persons will represent their sport on the ballot. This maximum of two (2) nominees per sport on the ballot applies to athletes only, not to coaches. There is no limit to the number of coaches who can be placed on the actual ballot.

While we do receive nominees from various sources, a primary source for nominations will be from our current coaching staff at Malone. Current Malone head coaches will research and choose their top person (or two as needed) within their particular sport for nomination and provide the name(s) to the Committee Chair. In addition, though, as mentioned above, anyone else may nominate someone by simply sending the name(s) only (with sport), in writing (via letter or email), to Matthew Kennell. Additional data on a nominee is welcome and appreciated but the Sports Information Office will also gather data on an individual once a name has been received.

DEADLINE for next year's nominations is MARCH 1, 2025...
All nominations will be due by March 1, 2025.  Our selection committee will review the list of all nominees (coaches nominees and other nominees) after receiving athletic data on the nominees from the Sports Information Office in the spring. Inductees will be notified by the Committee Chair as soon as possible following this selection meeting. An official Malone Athletics release will be posted and sent within the next day or two following notification of all inductees. The annual Athletics Hall of Fame banquet will be held in conjunction with Homecoming Weekend every year.

New Award Categories Established!
At the October 2018 selection meeting, the Athletics Hall of Fame Committee created three new award categories.  
The Pioneer Legacy Award, recognizing student-athletes who have graduated 25 or more years prior to induction
The Pioneer Meritorious Service Award, honoring coaches, administrators and other members of the Malone community who have worked tirelessly to support the University's Athletic Department
The Pioneer Lifetime Achievement Award, given to an individual who embodies the "Pioneer Spirit" and has broken barriers and/or made a significant impact both on and off the field of play. 
At the May 2022 selection meeting, the Athletics Hall of Fame Committee created one additional award category, the Pioneer Championship Award. The Pioneer Championship Award is given to an entire team in honor and recognition of the anniversary of a championship season accomplishment.
The new awards have been implemented in an effort to recognize additional members of the Malone athletics community as full members of the Athletics Hall of Fame, just like all other past and present inductees. 

The nomination procedure for these awards is the same for all other Hall of Fame nominees - just send an e-mail to mkennell@malone.edu listing the name of the person to be nominated and the rationale for why they should be chosen for one of the awards.

Eligibility Requirements

Established in 1985, the Malone University Athletics Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have distinguished themselves in athletics while at the University. To qualify, athlete inductees must be graduates of Malone, must have graduated at least ten years prior to selection, must exemplify the highest ideals of intercollegiate athletics, and must have earned two letters in one or more sports. As a coach, they must have served the University athletics department five or more years (a current coach must have served the University at least 10 years). In 2007, a provision was established to allow athletics administrators or other support personnel to become eligible, with a minimum of 10 years of athletics service to the University.