Milwaukee-based Lammi Sports Management announced today it has purchased all of the assets of the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame.
The Hall of Fame, which was established in 1951, includes sports greats Vince Lombardi, Hank Aaron, Oscar Robertson, Barry Alvarez, Al McGuire, Bud Selig, Junior Bridgeman, Willie Davis, Bart Starr and many others. In 2001, former owner Wisconsin Sports Development Corp. constructed the Wisconsin Athletic Walk of Fame outside the U.S. Cellular Arena (now UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena) in Milwaukee, which features more than 100 bronze plaques of Wisconsin sports icons on permanent display.
A newly created company, Wisconsin Hall of Fame LLC, will manage the assets. A board of advisors will include current and future Hall of Fame inductees, Wisconsin sports executives, sports media members and community leaders.
The Hall of Fame will host events throughout the year, including an induction ceremony at the Wisconsin Center, a nomination luncheon, speaker series breakfasts and potentially a touring gallery exhibit, beginning in 2016.
“Lammi Sports is honored and humbled to preserve and restore this historic Wisconsin sports property,” said Brian Lammi, founder and chief executive officer of Lammi Sports Management. “We want to thank the Wisconsin Center District and the Wisconsin Sports Development Corporation for their faith in Lammi Sports Management to oversee this iconic trust that salutes athletic excellence in Wisconsin. We also want to commend the Wisconsin Sports Legacy Group for their grass roots efforts to revitalize the Hall.”
“Wisconsin is home to some of the most iconic and historic players, coaches, and teams,” said Gov. Scott Walker. “As a proud supporter of Wisconsin sports, I’m excited about this new chapter for the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame and look forward to many more years of celebrating our great sports teams.”
“I’ll forever remember the excitement of becoming a member of the Wisconsin Hall of Fame. It gives me great joy to hear that Lammi Sports is bringing it back. Brian and his team do amazing work – I look forward to attending the next dinner,” said Olympic speed skater Bonnie Blair.
