Hall of Fame

Mission 

The vision of College of the Ozarks is to develop citizens of Christ-like character who are well educated, hard-working, and patriotic. The College of the Ozarks Athletic Hall of Fame’s mission is to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to College of the Ozarks Athletics. The College of the Ozarks Athletic Hall of Fame recognizes those former athletes, coaches, administrators and supporters who have successfully represented and supported College of the Ozarks athletics and the mission of College of the Ozarks.

History 

The College of the Ozarks Sports Hall of Fame was started in 1985.

Criteria/Categories 

The individuals or teams to be recognized must have been outstanding athletic performers, coaches or supporters whose identification with the athletics program has been impactful, and who exemplifies the ideals and standards of College of the Ozarks.

• ATHLETE – For an athlete to become eligible for nomination, he/she must have graduated from C of O and have been out of school for at least five years. (Extenuating circumstances will be considered). Candidates in this category must have had significant impact and success on the team of which they were a member 

• COACH – Candidates must have shown the ability to teach and mentor student athletes on and off the field, court or course. The coach must have shown success through winning, developing mature student-athletes, and positively representing College of the Ozarks.  

• SUPPORTER / CONTRIBUTOR / ADMINISTRATOR – Candidates must have shown significant time, effort, and impact on the College of the Ozarks Athletic Department. The impact may have been made as a former administrator within the athletic department or college, as a supporter of C of O athletics, resulted in the growth and development of C of O athletics or as a volunteer who has left a lasting mark on the athletic program.  

• TEAM – Candidates in the team category must have shown athletic achievement that warrants their accomplishments to standout from other teams of the same sport. Team nominations will include consideration of overall athletic achievement, team awards, overall record, season statistics, and a high level of success that results in a championship and/or a high placement in a national tournament.  The team must be 10 years removed from when the team competed.  

Guidelines 

Each year, names can be submitted for nomination and will be given consideration by the entire Hall of Fame committee. All nominations must be submitted by October 1st. The Hall of Fame committee is headed by Athletic Director Steve Shepherd. The inductees are announced in October and are formally inducted into the Hall of Fame at a banquet on the day of a basketball game in January or February. Inductees will also be recognized at half time.

• Nominations will be accepted by the committee from any source. These nominations should be submitted by completing the nominations form that is linked below. Upon receipt of all nominations by the deadline, the athletic director will forward the information to the Hall of Fame committee for their review. The committee will convene in October  

• Inductees must be able to attend the induction ceremony to be inducted. (Extenuating circumstances will be considered). 

• Beginning with the 2006 class, teams may be included for selection to the Hall of Fame. Only one team may be inducted in any year. If a team is one of the inductees, coaches, players, and managers of the team would be invited to attend the ceremonies and banquet and those present will be introduced.  

• Two plaques will be made for each inductee, one placed in the Hall of Fame, the other given to the inductee(s).