April 24

The largest state sports hall of fame in the country is here in Georgia.

The Georgia Sports Hall of Fame began in 1956, when the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association established the Georgia Prep Sports Hall of Fame, which honored high school administrators, coaches and players. The organization dropped the word “prep” in 1963, honoring collegiate and professional athletes as well. The state archives building in Atlanta became its first home, and the first three inductees were baseball legend Ty Cobb, Georgia Tech football coach William Alexander, and golfer Bobby Jones.

The Hall became an official state entity in 1978, but it still lacked a permanent home. The state considered the World Congress Center in Atlanta before finally settling on Macon in 1994.

Of the 250 individuals nominated for induction every year, only seven are chosen, the highest honor the state can bestow on its athletes.

The Georgia Sports Hall of Fame opened its doors on April 24, 1999, Today in Georgia History.