About the Hall
The highest honor in Illinois USSSA softball
The Illinois USSSA Hall of Fame is the highest honor bestowed on any individual who has excelled in their category. These honorees are considered an elite group who have promoted the Illinois USSSA with the highest character and integrity, and who have excelled at the topmost levels of competition that Illinois USSSA has to offer.
01 Our story
Three decades in the making
- 1994
The idea is born
At the close of the Illinois Annual Directors’ State Meeting, ten key Directors from across the state meet to explore founding a state Hall of Fame.
- 1994–96
Building the foundation
Board members vote in the by-laws, develop funding ideas, and elect the very first honorees.
- 1996
The inaugural class
The first Illinois USSSA Hall of Fame class is inducted — the beginning of the archive you see today.
- 2003
A double celebration
Demand is so strong the Hall hosts both a spring and a fall induction banquet in a single year.
- 2019
Silver Anniversary
The 25th banquet in 24 years — a quarter-century of honoring the greats of Illinois USSSA.
- 2026
The archive today
269 inductees across 29 classes — players, umpires, managers, directors, sponsors, pioneers and Hall of Honor teams, preserved for good.
02 The honors
Honor categories
- Player
- Athletes who excelled at the topmost levels of Illinois USSSA slow-pitch competition.
- Umpire
- Officials whose judgment and integrity upheld the standard of play on the field.
- Team Sponsor
- Sponsors whose backing carried Illinois teams to State, National and World tournaments.
- Manager
- Leaders who built rosters and guided teams through championship runs.
- Director
- Administrators who organized and grew the Illinois USSSA program.
- Pioneer
- Players who helped establish the game in Illinois before 1985.
- Associate
- Supporters — complexes, writers, announcers, sponsors — who served the program for a decade or more.
- Meritorious
- Honorees who qualify for more than one category.
Hall of Fame requirements
- A Hall of Fame nominee does not have to be retired to be nominated or elected.
- All nominees must be at least 33 years of age. This does not apply to anyone who is deceased.
- All nominees must have completed a minimum of 10 years of service in his or her specific category, with the exceptions being the Pioneer and Sponsor categories.
- Team Sponsor nominees must have five years of State, National/Divisional or World Tournament participation.
- Pioneer nominees must have participated prior to 1985 for at least 5 years.
- Associate nominees include individuals who have supported the Illinois USSSA for a minimum of 10 years and do not qualify for another category (e.g., complexes, tournament sponsors, newspaper writers, announcers).
- Meritorious nominees are individuals who qualify for more than one category.
Lifetime Achievement Award
The Lifetime Achievement Award is bestowed upon an individual who has given service, dedication, commitment and selfless hours to the Illinois USSSA — a minimum of 20 years of service.
Hall of Honor Teams
Hall of Honor Teams are Illinois USSSA teams that have excelled in the USSSA on a national level and whose dedication and loyalty have been much appreciated by the State Program — a minimum of 10 years of service and registration with the Illinois USSSA.