ISHA Presents Annual Awards
Richard Johnson to receive ISHA’s Legacy Award
Richard A. Johnson, native of Worcester, MA, receives ISHA’s Legacy Award during its annual conference hosted virtually by the International Tennis Hall of Fame on October 27 and 28.
ISHA created the Legacy Award in 2018 to recognize an individual or organization located in the geographical area of the annual conference to provide an opportunity for the host to honor a local sports heritage contributor.
Johnson graduated from Bates College in Lewiston, ME where he was a member of the varsity cross country and indoor track teams. Johnson’s degree in Art History and passion for sports launched him into a successful and celebrated career. Since 1982, Johnson has served as Curator of the Sports Museum at TD Garden in Boston, MA when he joined as the museum’s first employee.
During his time at the Sports Museum, Johnson has curated exhibits on diverse topics including “Women in Sports, Insights from Her Past”, “Rocky Marciano, The Rock of His Times”, “Stylianos Kyriakides, The Human Race”, “Boston’s Braves 1876-1952”, “Fenway Park, From Duffy’s Cliff to the Green Monster”, “The World Cup” (in collaboration with The British Council), “The Sports Photographs of Leslie Jones”, among others.
In addition to his successful career at the Sports Museum, Johnson has authored or co-authored twenty-three books and served as a consultant on projects featuring The Boston Celtics, New England Patriots, Boston Red Sox, Cambridge Seven Associates, WGBH (local radio station in Boston), ESPN, HBO, and The Boston Museum of Science.
“For more than 40 years, Richard Johnson has served as the gatekeeper for the rich legacy of New England sports. His encyclopedic knowledge, finely crafted books, and generosity of spirit has enabled generations of New Englanders to embrace the sports legacy of New England. The Legacy Award is yet another well deserved recognition for Richard in an accomplished career serving as the steward for New England’s unparalleled sports tradition”.
Douglas Stark, Museum Director, International Tennis Hall of Fame.
Michael Gibbons to receive ISHA’s Schroeder Award
ISHA is excited to announce that Michael Gibbons with the 2021 Schroeder Award. The W.R. “Bill” Schroeder Award is presented periodically and is the highest honor presented by ISHA.
Mike is a native Baltimorean and worked on a project to revitalize the Babe Ruth Birthplace, and in 1983 became its Executive Director.
Under Mike’s guidance, the Birthplace expanded its theme to include the Baltimore Orioles, Colts and Ravens, the Maryland Terrapins, and the Maryland State Athletic Hall of Fame. To house the expanding collection, the museum opened Sports Legends Museum at Camden Yards, a virtual state sports museum, in 2005. Mike stepped down as executive director in 2017, but continues to work with the museum on exhibits, programming, media relations and the collection.
During his 38-year tenure at the museum, Mike has enjoyed a wide range of speaking appearances on Babe Ruth and Maryland sports including the Today Show, MLB Network, ESPN, Comcast, the National Baseball HOF, and local SABR chapters in Baltimore, Washington and NY.
“Those who inspire to be a leader can look at Mike’s career and dedication in raising and profiling sport within Maryland. His love and passion for sport and Babe is evident in every talk he gives. I want to congratulate Mike for this well-deserved award!”
Dana Hart, ISHA President
ISHY Awards
The ISHY Awards program was established to provide recognition for excellence in publications by all member sports museums, halls of fame or sports heritage organizations, regardless of size or budget, based upon a competition evaluated by ISHA members.
2021 ISHY Award Winners
Category B. Non-Book Publication (Under $250K)
Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame – Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2020 Program
Category B. Non-Book Publication (Over $250K)
San Francisco 49ers, 49ers Museum Longform Series: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Category C. Marketing Materials – print materials (Over $250K)
USGA- Golf House Pinehurst
Category C. Marketing Materials – video/audio shorts (Under $250K)
National Polish American Sports Hall of Fame-NPASHF “About Us” video
Category C: Marketing Materials – video/audio shorts (Over $250K)
World of Little League® Museum and Official Store – Anderson (Gary, Ind.) Little League: The First All-Black Little League World Series Team
Category C. Marketing Materials – Social Media Account of the Year
Negro Leagues Baseball Museum – Tip your Cap Campaign
Category D. Educational Programming
The Patriots Hall of Fame presented by Raytheon Technologies – Patriots Hall of Fame virtual education program
Category E. HOF Inductions and/or Annual Event Materials (Under $250K)
Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame – Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2020 Televised Special
Category E. HOF Inductions and/or Annual Event Materials (Over $250K)
Motorsports Hall of Fame of America – 2020 MSHFA Inductee Display Cases
Category F. New Exhibit (Under $50K)
Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum – Canadian Open Host Golf Club Exhibit
Category F: New Exhibit (Over $250K)
The Museum at the International Tennis Hall of Fame – Breaking the Barriers: The ATA and Black Tennis Pioneers
Category F. New Exhibit (between $50K-$250K)
Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame – Prairie Pride: A History of Saskatchewan Football
Category F. New Exhibit (Over $250K)
Northern Light Productions – Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame