Author Archives: Shane Mailman

The International Sports Heritage Association (ISHA) announced today that it will present Wichita, Kan., native William I. “Bill” Koch with its Legacy Award during its annual conference hosted by the Kansas Sports Hall Fame on Oct. 23 and 24.

Koch will receive the award at An Evening of Champions, the conference awards banquet held Thursday, Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. at the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame.

Koch is the second recipient of the award, which ISHA created in 2018 to recognize an individual or organization located in the geographical area of the annual conference in order to provide an opportunity for the host to honor a local sports heritage contributor.

“The Kansas Sports Hall of Fame is thrilled to host Mr. Koch back in his hometown to receive the Legacy Award from the International Sports Heritage Association. Mr. Koch’s connection to our organization runs deep and this honor recognizes not only his commitment and contributions to our organization, but his lasting legacy on the landscape of sports heritage,” sad Jordan Poland, President and CEO of the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame.

One of the nation’s greatest business minds and well-known philanthropists, Koch was the winning skipper of the 1992 America’s Cup – the oldest trophy in sports. He also was the winning skipper in the 1990 and 1991 Maxi Yacht World Championships, and the 1994 and 2009 12 Meter World Championships. In 1995, Koch assembled the world’s first all-women’s team to compete for the America’s Cup. His commitment to the women’s team represented a milestone in the recognition and opportunities now provided female athletes in many sports around the world.

The founder and owner of one of the largest privately-owned companies in the world – The Oxbow Group –  Koch attended Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) where he earned three degrees and earned four academic honors. He also has three Honorary Doctorate degrees, including from Washburn University and Haskell University in Kansas. At MIT, Koch also played varsity basketball and participated in track and field, and rugby.

As the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Oxbow Carbon LLC, Koch’s business acumen set the stage for the company’s unprecedented growth, making it the world’s largest marketing company of fuel grade and calcined petroleum coke. With annual sales of $4 billion, and offices across the globe, Oxbow Carbon is the world’s largest producer of calcined coke, a key ingredient in the manufacturing of aluminum, and a key supplier of sulphur, sulphuric acid and fertilizers. Oxbow also started and built an alternative energy business domestically and internationally.

Ranked as one of the 25 most generous individuals in the United States by The Journal of Philanthropy in 2011, Koch may be best remembered for his mission to help less fortunate children receive a high-level education. Over the years, Koch has contributed money, time, and energy to help individuals, teachers, and classrooms get the support they have needed. Additionally, Koch started an advanced high school in Florida.

Koch has received numerous state nd national awards for his commitment to charities in his home state and around the country. He founded the Koch Crime Commission for the state of Kansas. He received the Medal of Outstanding Citizenship from the City of Wichita, the Karl Menninger Award, and the Governor of Kansas Appreciation Award. His generosity also included funding the Wichita Boathouse – headquarters for the Wichita River Kids Club, which taught sailing, kayaking and canoeing. The Wichita Boathouse is now home to the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame and Koch has been an instrumental supporter of the organization since his induction in 2004.

He was inducted into the America’s Cup Hall of Fame in 1993, was awarded the New York Yacht Club Medal of Honor in 1993, and named Kansan of the Year in 1993 and 1994. In addition to being Kansas Sports Hall of Fame inductee, Mr. Koch has been inducted into the Culver Academy Athletic Hall of Fame (1994), the Wichita Sports Hall of Fame (2016), and the National Sailing Hall of Fame (2018). Mr. Koch is an Honorary Admiral in four Navies, including the state of Kansas.

When the Cleveland Cavaliers announced that they were upgrading the Rocket Mortgage Field House Arena in downtown Cleveland, Xibitz was given the contract to work with the General Contractor, Whiting-Turner, and their design team, Infinite Scale, to help develop and produce exciting new elements in the arena concourse. The “Flex Walls” include beautiful graphics, big screens, interactive elements, cases with team artifacts and other engaging visuals and stories about the team and its history. The newly renovated arena will be a centerpiece for sports and entertainment in the ever- changing landscape of Cleveland.

University of Louisville | Schnellenberger Football Complex

When Jack Porter redesigned the University of Louisville’s Schnellenberger Football Complex entrance, they turned to Xibitz to fabricate a bold and inventive experience. Inspired by the school’s mascot, Louie the Cardinal, a massive wall treatment reminiscent of a bird’s wings was assembled in the lobby.

Measuring 29 feet high, each wing spans two walls for a total of 54 feet each. 64 feathers create the sculpture and combined, weigh nearly 4,600 pounds, the heaviest weighing 252 pounds. The sculpture is made primarily of ACM, an aluminum-clad material of thin sheets of brushed aluminum cladding on a composite material.

Built around existing fire suppression controls, heating/cooling vents, environmental controls, and an ID scanner, the sculpture was successfully installed without detracting from the overall look of the project. The result is a cutting edge, sleek, and powerful entrance to the university’s football building.

Designer:

Jack Porter

Scope of Services:

Project Planning, Contract Management, Facility Interface Coordination, Design Management, Prototypes & Mockups, Scheduling Management, Contractor Coordination, Sub-Consultant Coordination, Construction Drawings, Fabrication, Installation

 

Four International Sports Heritage Association members are the recipients of $3,750 in grants made available through the organization’s Founders Fund.

Money for the Founders Fund comes from a Silent Auction, and other fund-raising ventures held at the annual conference and throughout the year. The annual conference will be held Oct. 23-24 at the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame in Wichita.

A $2,000 Special Projects Grant was awarded to the ProRodeo Hall of Fame to rehouse the Museum’s oldest collection of rodeo and Wild West Show artifacts: the Hafley-Shelton Collection.

According to Megan Winterfeldt, exhibits and collections coordinator, the collection of more than 600 artifacts includes clothing, props, and personal items related to the California Frank Wild West Show and Rodeo which began in the early 1900s. The items are in old archival boxes that were used for shipping when the show traveled. The project will create new and stable mounts for all the pieces. With new housing, the artifacts will be preserved for future generations to learn about rodeo’s early days.

A Travel and Conference Grant (maximum $1,000) was awarded to Kyle Moore, assistant program director of the ProRodeo Hall of Fame. Moore’s well-prepared application detailed how attending the conference sessions and networking will benefit both him and his institution.

Additionally, grants covering the $375 cost of ISHA Conference registration were awarded to Danny Lamoureux, of the Canadian Curling Association, and to Alan Penner, of the Oklahoma Sports Museum.

Mr. Lamoureux is director of the Curling Club Development and Championship Services in Orleans, Ontario. It does not have a brick and mortar facility but is mobile, digital and augmented reality experience.

Mr. Penner is Vice President of the Board of Directors of the Oklahoma Sports Museum and is eager to network with other sports museums.

A Silent Auction is held during the annual conference, which will be hosted by the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame in Wichita in October. Silent Auction items are being collected from member museums and vendors for the Oct. 23-24 event. A list will be shared prior to the conference so all members will have an opportunity to bid on the packages ranging in value from $100 to nearly $1,000.

The International Sports Heritage Association (ISHA) has launched a new education section on its website (sportsheritage.test) that features museum-related assets and forms contributed by fellow members as well as a section for members to contribute educational articles.

The new section, titled ISHA University, has a members-only password protected area that features assets and forms categorized by the following (sportsheritage.test/members-area/assets/):

  • Collection
  • Curatorial/Exhibits
  • Marketing/Programming (events)
  • Museum Education/School groups/Other groups
  • Staffing
  • Retail
  • Emergencies
  • Development/Fundraising
  • Other

Additionally, there is an ISHA University information page (sportsheritage.test/members-area/isha-university-information/), which will be the home to educational articles contributed by members but in a public section of the website.

“The ISHA board wanted to provide a tidy package of educational offerings to its members,” ISHA president Bryan Morry said. “Nobody can help answer institutional questions better than peers in the field. So we have many documents and forms categorized so members can easily access them. We also want our members to contribute articles that could be helpful to colleagues. There are currently nearly 50 forms and documents accessible and we hope to continually add to this.

“One of the best things about ISHA is that members are so willing to share information with one another. We hope this program continues to grow and serves the sports heritage industry for years to come,” Morry added.

The ISHA board encourages members to share any documents or forms that might be helpful to peers while also reviewing the available selection. To contribute and asset or an article, one can email [email protected] with the subject ISHA U CONTRIBUTION.

The National Ballpark Museum & The Japanese American Resource Center

Present

“JAPANESE AMERICAN BASEBALL A SHARED EXPERIENCE”

 

When: Saturday, July 27, 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.

Where: History Colorado Center, 1200 N Broadway, Denver 80203

What:  Japan adopted baseball in the 1870’s and the game enjoys a rich history and tradition to this day. Baseball serves as a bridge between the two cultures, as it embodies Japanese values such as harmony, perseverance and self-restraint, while sharing the ideals and the spirit of America’s pastime.

Guest speakers are well known and respected Japanese baseball historians who will revisit historical events and discuss current developments in Japanese American baseball.

Who:

Kerry Yo Nakagawa:  Curator of the “Diamonds in the Rough” an international exhibit displayed at the National Baseball Hall of Fame, and in Tokyo.  He wrote the book “Through a Diamond, 100 Years of Japanese American Baseball in California.”  He also produced the movie “American Pastime”, the independent film which won “audience favorite” in San Francisco in 2007.

Dan Evans:  Evans knowledge and appreciation of Japanese baseball is a product of nearly four decades in baseball, with the product of immersion into Pacific Rim baseball culture over a period of 20 years.  As the Dodger’s GM (2001-2004) his international baseball savvy developed during the team’s successful reorganization that began in 2001.  Evans significantly elevated the team’s Asian footprint, continuing to do so during his time with the Mariners and Blue Jays.

 

The Sport Australia Hall of Fame Scholarship & Mentoring Program is a unique and valuable program for young Australian athletes. Applications are now open for the 2020 Program – closing Sunday 7th July 2019.
I write to encourage your distribution and promotion of the application information through your national, state, regional, club and coaching networks as well as promotion through your social media channels.
Since 2006, the Program has provided over $350,000 in $5,000 annual sporting grants to 73 young Australian athletes across 34 sports.
The Sport Australia Hall of Fame Scholarship & Mentoring Program consists of:
* One-on-one personal mentoring by an Inducted SAHOF Member
* A $5,000 sporting expenses grant
* On stage presentation of the Scholarship at the SAHOF Induction & Awards Gala Dinner

The highlight of the program is that each Scholarship Holder is personally mentored by a Member of The Sport Australia Hall of Fame. Mentors have included over 50 Australian sporting greats including; Dawn Fraser AC MBE, Louise Sauvage OAM, Adam Gilchrist AM, Karla Gilbert OAM, Catherine Freeman OAM and Nick Farr-Jones AM.
The mentoring aspect is a ‘money can’t buy’ opportunity. It has delivered in many cases, a profound impact on our past and present Scholarship Holders.
Note: the mentoring role is designed to bring in a worldly view of what it takes to compete at the highest level.

Watch a few past and present Scholarship Holders experiences below:
Poppy Starr Olsen, Skateboarding, 2018 Scholarship Holder (Mentor: Layne Beachley AO, Surfing)
Anabelle Smith, Diving, 2009 Scholarship Holder (Mentor: Debbie Watson OAM, Water Polo)

 

https://www.sahof.org.au/scholarships/nomination-information/

 

The Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame is proud to announce a new display dedicated to High School Girls Basketball. The new exhibit features a 75-inch interactive touchscreen that highlights the most recent state champions from across the United States. The display showcases each state champion for each state and includes a team roster, a team photo, and more for each champion. Each year in May the display will be updated with the newest year’s champions.

 

The Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame opened in June 1999 in Knoxville, TN. It is the only facility of its kind dedicated to all levels of women’s basketball. The mission of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame is to “honor the past, celebrate the present, and promote the future” of women’s basketball.