Founded in 1961 by the Legislature as a part of the Kansas Centennial celebration, the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame mission is to honor those whose involvement in sports brought pride to themselves, their communities, and the entire state of Kansas and to educate and inspire future generations of Kansans to achieve greatness. Each year, the Hall of Fame conducts its annual induction ceremony at the Wichita Boathouse where honorees, families, fans and the public gather to honor the incoming class. The Hall of Fame also conducts the "Pride of Kansas" awards program which recognizes outstanding achievement by Kansas coaches, athletes, contributors and teams in individual ceremonies held year-round throughout the state. Next to induction, the Pride of Kansas Award is the highest honor given by the Hall of Fame.
Kansas Sports Hall of Fame is operated by a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation under the governance of a Governor-appointed Board of TrusteesThe Hall of Fame mission to educate and inspire the youth of Kansas is accomplished through the hosting of numerous events held throughout the year. Many programs include youth interacting with KSHOF inductees and other outstanding sports figures. Activities and educational materials are an important part of the Hall of Fame's mission to educate and inspire. Partnerships with other youth organizations such as Big Brothers/Big Sisters and Boys and Girls Clubs provide an exciting platform for the Hall of Fame to reach the youth of the state.
