National Sailing Hall of Fame Sets First Annual Induction

ANNAPOLIS, Md., March 25, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- NASCAR has Charlotte, Rock and Roll has Cleveland, and one can hardly watch sports on TV without hearing about Hall of Fame inductees in basketball (Springfield), baseball (Cooperstown) and tennis (Newport). Now sailing will too, with the National Sailing Center & Hall of Fame (NSHOF) set to honor its first class of inductees on October 23, 2011, during ceremonies scheduled to take place at the San Diego Yacht Club in California. The undertaking to recognize Americans who have made outstanding contributions to the sport of sailing is central to the mission of the NSHOF, which was formed in 2005 and has already completed phase one of its plan to establish a permanent facility on the historic waterfront of Annapolis, Maryland.

Having progressed from concept to property acquisition to the establishment of an educational program, the NSHOF is now taking steps to determine the first 15 inductees with the confirmation of its selection process. Nominations will be accepted from the general public for candidates who are American citizens, who are 45 years of age and up, and who have made a significant impact on the growth and development of the sport in the U.S. in categories such as design, racing, cruising, coaching and administration, among others. Non-citizens may be included if they have also had an impact on the sport in the U.S., and posthumous nominations will also be accepted. Induction By-Laws & Rules

"We now have one place that will honor the heroes of American sailing," said US SAILING President Gary Jobson in endorsing the NSHOF. A selection committee appointed by the NSHOF will include representatives from the national governing body, the sailing media, the sailing industry, community sailing and NSHOF founding yacht clubs.

The nomination period will run from April 1 through June 1, with the inductees for 2011 determined by late August. Through 2013 the number of inductees will not exceed 15, thereafter it will not exceed five.

The National Sailing Center & Hall of Fame is a not-for-profit educational institution dedicated to: Preserving the history of the sport and its impact on American culture; honoring those who have made outstanding contributions to the sport of sailing; the teaching of math, science and American history; inspiring and encouraging sailing development; and to providing an international landmark for sailing enthusiasts. The NSHOF has partnered with US SAILING and the U.S. Naval Academy, and is associated with the Herreshoff Marine Museum, Sailing World, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Water Trail, the Congressional Cup and Hudson River Community Sailing in its efforts to recognize role models of outstanding achievement. For more information on the NSHOF, please visit www.nshof.org.

CONTACT:  Rachel Quintner, 703-770-8066

SOURCE National Sailing Center & Hall of Fame