History

Established in 1980 by the Women's Sports Foundation, this hall of fame honors women athletes who helped blaze the trail for today's stars, as well as more recent heroines of sport and their coaches.

Athletes who competed primarily before 1960 are inducted in the Pioneer category and those whose careers began after 1960 are in the contemporary category.

In 1990, a third category was added to honor active and retired coaches.

Candidates for election can be nominated by sports organizations, historians, and the general public. Living members of the hall of fame vote on those who are to be inducted.

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