Listen Here
By Andrea Hoffman
hoffmana1@findlay.edu
Every fall, the University of Findlay honors its most accomplished former student-athletes by inducting them into the UF Athletics Hall of Fame. But before their names are announced, a detailed selection process takes place. The process blends history, data and lasting Oiler legacy to decipher the most deserving candidates.
Former athletes become eligible for nomination 10 years after graduation. Anyone, from a coach to a proud family member, can submit a name for consideration, according to David Buck, associate director of athletics and chair member of the athletic hall of fame committee.
“So, in theory, let’s say it’s 10 years from now, and your mom thinks that you should be in the Hall of Fame, then she can send a nomination to us,” Buck said.
In practice, nominations often come from within the athletics department.
“Since I’ve been here so long and we’re getting to the point now where I’ve seen all of these athletes compete, I have a running list of people that I just put on the nomination list,” Buck said. “I’ve got it mapped out to, like, 2037, I think. So, it’s a long list, there’s probably a hundred and some names on it right now.”
That list then goes to the athletic hall of fame committee, a group of eight staff members and coaches, including assistant director of athletics, Kyle Niermann, the head women’s soccer coach, Sierra Tom, and the dean of the college of business, Kirby Overton. The committee exists solely for Hall of Fame selections.
Once the list is finalized, the committee meets to discuss each candidate’s athletic achievements and impact on their program. Members privately rank their top 10 choices, and a point system determines who moves forward. After multiple rounds of discussion and voting, the top candidates emerge as that year’s inductees.
After selection, inductees receive a personal phone call from Buck.
“That’s the best part for me,” he said. “I call them and say, ‘You were selected for induction into our hall of fame,’ and then we just have a conversation after that. Usually, it’s sharing old stories and lots of laughter, and thank-yous.”
Inductees are then invited to a special athletic hall of fame ceremony on campus during Homecoming weekend, where UF President Katherine Fell, Director of Athletics Jim Givens, and Buck induct nominees into the Hall of Fame.
“This is strictly athletic,” Buck said. “There is a piece of the Hall of Fame that deals with outside organizations, what you’ve done in your career, and that’s the Lifetime Achievement Award, which is a part of our Hall of Fame. We haven’t done it the last couple of years, but it’s an option if someone’s deserving.”
After the ceremony, the meaning behind the process becomes clear. Each inductee embodies the purpose of the hall of fame: to celebrate athletes whose achievements continue to shape the University’s athletic identity.
“Every one of them fits our mold,” Givens said. “They have moved on and are really good stewards of the institution, and that’s really, really important for all of our student-athletes.”
