ABOUT

METRO ERIE CHAPTER MISSION STATEMENT

The Metropolitan Erie Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, founded in 1986 as a registered 501(C) 3 nonprofit organization, is committed to:

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Perpetuate the memory of individuals who have brought lasting fame and recognition to the Metropolitan Erie area through their athletic achievements.

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Promote athletics in the Erie area by recognizing the most outstanding high school student athletes.

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Preserve and promote the legends and legacies in Northwestern Pennsylvania.

The 2020 Class of the Erie Metro Chapter of the PA Sports Hall of Fame.
The 2020 Class of the Erie Metro Chapter of the PA Sports Hall of Fame.

ABOUT THE HALL OF FAME

The Metro Erie Chapter membership consists of folks from diverse backgrounds. The board itself is sixteen members strong at the moment and is made up of men and women, some of whom have ties to Edinboro, Gannon, Mercyhurst and Penn State Behrend. We also have a retired banker, two retired sportswriters from the Erie Times News, former players, coaches and administrators. All are committed to perpetuating the memory of individuals who have brought lasting fame and recognition to the Metropolitan Erie area through their athletic achievements.

In short, our board and membership are comprised of ordinary people trying to recognize Erie-area folks who have done extraordinary things in the athletic arena.

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LOCAL INDUCTEES

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STATE INDUCTEES

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SPORTS
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PRESIDENT'S LETTER

John-Leisering

Welcome to the Metropolitan Erie Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame website.

You can use this web site to join our chapter, to nominate a worthy candidate or candidates, to vote annually, to purchase tickets to our yearly Student-Athlete Recognition and Hall-of- Fame Induction Dinners, and to contact us. We have also incorporated a link to the Pa. State Sports Hall of Fame site.

The Erie Chapter has been honoring superb Erie City and County student-athletes and inducting top athletes, coaches, athletic administrators, and media personnel since its inaugural banquet in 1986. Annual classes of men and women, who have brought pride and recognition to the Erie area, their institutions, and themselves, have been recognized or inducted.

The Erie Chapter thanks its sponsors and advertisers for their continued support of these annual events.

By the way, the next time you visit the Erie Insurance Arena, please visit our Hall of Fame display in the main concourse.

Sincerely,
John Leisering, President – Erie Chapter

ERIE SPORTS HALL OF FAME BY-LAWS

The Metropolitan Erie Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, hereinafter referred to as the Hall of Fame, founded in 1986 as a registered 501(C) 3 nonprofit organization, is committed to: 

  1. Perpetuate the memory of individuals who have brought lasting fame and recognition to the Metropolitan Erie area through their athletic achievements.
  2. Promote athletics in the Erie area by recognizing the most outstanding high school student athletes.
  3. Preserve and promote the legends and legacies in Northwestern Pennsylvania.

Section 1. Membership in the Hall of Fame is open to all.

Section 2. Annual membership dues shall be established by the Board of Directors.

Section 1. The officers of the Hall of Fame were originally elected by the membership when the Hall of Fame was established in 1985.

Section 2. The officers should consist of the following positions -- President, Vice President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary and Treasurer. The officers shall be elected by the Board of Directors and shall hold office for a term of two (2) years. The terms are based on the calendar year, January through December, with nominations filed in November and election in December. Officers will assume their terms in January following the election.

Section 3. If a vacancy shall occur, the line of succession to the presidency shall be the Vice President for the remainder of the original term. If declined by the Vice President, other members of the Board will be solicited for the office by the Board of Directors.

Section: 4 The Board of Directors has the authority to fill unexpired terms of Officers and Board of Directors.

Section 1. President

  • Schedule and chair meetings.
  • Serve as CEO and presiding officer of the Board of Directors.
  • Formulate and present policies to the Board of Directors for their consideration.
  • Fill unexpired terms of Officers as set forth in By-Law III-4.
  • Act with diligence on behalf of the Board of Directors in the interim between meetings.

Section 2. Vice President

  • Shall have the authority to act on behalf of the President at his/her discretion or absence.
  • Assist other officers and committee chairs with activities as requested.

Section 3: Recording Secretary

  • Internal communication
  • Keep accurate records and minutes of Board business.
  • Send prior notice regarding meetings and special events.
  • Ensure there is a master file of inductee records, nominated individuals and minutes for the Past 2 years.
  • Other duties may be requested based on events.

Section 4. Corresponding Secretary

  • External Communication
  • Send mailings and e-mails to membership, inductees, media and others regarding Hall of Fame events and activities.
  • Provide communication vehicles for Board Members.

Section 5. Treasurer

  • Must protect the assets of the organization as custodian of all funds of the Hall of Fame.
  • Keep accurate record of revenue and expenses of the operation.
  • Provide an end of the year financial statement with the President for submission to the Board of Directors and the IRS 990 Form.

Section 1. The Board of Directors shall consist of a maximum of 20 members who are elected by the membership for terms of four (4) years. Board members shall be required to agree to additional terms every four (4) years if they so desire. An officer shall remain on the Board of Directors for the duration of his/her term as an officer.

Section 2. If a vacancy should occur, the President, upon approval of the Board of Directors, shall appoint an agreed upon replacement. That replacement shall serve for the remainder of the term of the Board member that he/she replaced.

Section 3. Board of Directors Primary Responsibilities:

  • Approve amendments to the Hall of Fame By-Laws by simple majority.
  • Approve policies formulated by the President and/or the committees if they are beneficial to the Hall of Fame and its mission.
  • Approve committee appointees if they can be advocates and committed to the organization.
  • Establish membership dues of the Hall of Fame.
  • Solicit and vote on all nominees considered for selection to the ballots and induction.
  • Validate count for induction ballots.

Section 4. A quorum consisting of one (1) individual beyond 50 percent of active Board of Directors is required to pass a motion at a meeting. (Ex. 15 members require 8 people in attendance or 12 members require 7 people.)

Section 5. Board members should respect the integrity of the organization by keeping the work of the Board confidential, especially with the balloting process for induction into the Hall of Fame.

Section 6. Board members are required to participate in at least 50 percent of scheduled meetings per year. If an individual cannot attend meetings, he/she may consider giving his/her chair to someone who would be more available.

Section 1. The Hall of Fame shall have the following committees:

  • Executive Committee
  • By-Laws/Nomination Committee
  • Finance Committee
  • Membership Committee
  • Inductee Nomination Committee
  • Picnic Committee
  • Induction/Banquet Committee (presently Board members)
  • Scholarship Committee (awards are addressed by benefactors)

Section 2 Pennsylvania Hall of Fame Representative

  • The President or his/her designate shall be the representative of the Metro Erie Chapter of the Pa Sports Hall of Fame to the state Board of Governors.

Section 1. Eligibility

  1. Nominees must have brought lasting fame and recognition to the Erie area through outstanding achievements and accomplishments in sport’s endeavors.
  2. Nominees must have been active participants, coaches, managers or promotional, administrative or news media personnel.
  3. Nominees must meet the criteria and requirements established by the Nominating Committee and the Board of Directors.

Section 2. Selection Process

  1. The maximum number selected annually is 12 individuals. Living (8), Poshumous (2), Acclimation (2).
  2. The Nominating Committee should consist of members of the Board of Directors. Dues paying members of the Hall of Fame who are not on the Board can assist the committee.
  3. The Board of Directors shall formulate an active list of nominees and nominees shall remain on the list for four (4) years. After four (4) years, nominees will be removed from consideration for one year after which they can be nominated again
  4. The Board of Directors shall select the maximum numbers of nominees in each category to be voted on annually by Hall of Fame membership.
  5. The Hall of Fame membership shall receive voting instructions with the ballot
  6. The Board of Directors shall establish a time frame for each step in the process.
  7. The Board of Directors shall tabulate the ballots on a predetermined date.

Section 1. Purpose

  • The Committee Structure as outlined in Article VI of the By-Laws provides a balanced and timely approach to planning and executing the programs, activities and responsibilities for the Board of Directors.

Section 2. Committee Makeup

  • The Committee Chairs must be active members of the Board of Directors.
  • The Committee Chairs may select members from the Board of Directors and from active dues paying members of the Metro Hall of Fame to assist with their respective programs or activities.
  • Officers can be active with a particular committee and/or they may serve as an Ad Hoc member.
  • All committees may meet periodically to develop objectives or programs to discuss and vote on approval. Board approval is necessary for any new initiative or program recommended by a committee.

Section 3. Committees and Primary Responsibilities

Executive Committee

  • The Committee will consist of the Officers, and the Committee Chairs as requested by the President. This Committee will meet at the discretion of the President.
  • The primary role will be to meet as deemed necessary to deal with issues and/or concerns that arise that do not require full Board approval. If Board approval is necessary following an executive session, a Board meeting will be called.
  • The Committee is responsible for soliciting potential new candidates for the Board of Directors as well as marketing and advocating for the Chapter.

By-Laws/Nomination Committee

  • The Board of Directors/Committee will review the By-Laws and make suggested changes as necessary.
  • The Board of Directors/Committee will ensure that the By-Laws are followed in the course of business (ie. nominations, elections, etc.)
  • The Board of Directors will provide a list of individuals for nomination as necessary.

Finance Committee

  • The Committee will assist the Treasurer with the collection of revenue from the fundraising activities sponsored by the Chapter and, in particular, the Annual Banquet.
  • The Committee will provide periodic financial reports to Board members and prepare annual year-end reports in preparation for the 990 Forms for the IRS.
  • The Committee will ensure that any outstanding payments to the Chapter are reconciled as soon as possible.
  • The Committee will maintain accurate revenue and expense statements on a monthly basis.

Membership Committee

  • The Committee will solicit new members.
  • The Committee will ensure annual dues and annual renewal efforts are completed.

Inductee Nomination Committee

  • The Board of Directors/Committee will develop criteria and frame work for the nomination and selection of candidates for induction into the Metro Hall of Fame.
  • The Committee will review the candidates presently on file and determine their future potential for selection.
  • The Committee will continue the research and development of worthy individuals who have not been nominated.
  • The Committee annually will prepare the list of potential candidates for induction.
  • The Committee will ensure that notifications of selected inductees are completed.

Picnic Committee (not active as of 11-6-2017)

  • The Committee will be responsible for the planning and coordination of the annual picnic inclusive of advertising, tickets, mailings, site, food, door prizes and management of the event.

Induction/Banquet Committee

  • The Board of Directors is responsible for the pre-planning and coordination of the Annual Banquet. The Officers should encourage everyone’s involvement.

Scholarship Committee

  • The Ronald Costello Memorial Scholarship Awards, the T.J Guthleben Memorial Scholarship Awards, the Marsha Marsh Community Service Awards, the Erie Otters Brad Boyes Scholarship , and/or any other major awards are the responsibility of the respective benefactors.
  • The Erie Metro Hall of Fame Board of Directors supports and appreciates the awarding of the scholarships to the selected student athletes from the Erie County High Schools at the Annual Induction Banquet.
  • To solicit individuals within the community to provide donations to further enhance the scholarship funding.
  • To engage organizations and business entities to become acquainted with the scholarship program.