Over the years, athletes everywhere have made a shining mark on the globe sports-wise. As this talent seeps into the next generation, fueling aspiring players as they take the field by storm, a need quickly arose to showcase the raw talent, grit and determination in competitors’ muscles and hearts. With respect and admiration for athletes all around the world, the Sports Hall of Fame was created, showering all inductees with honor and love for years to come.
The term ‘hall of fame’ was first coined in ancient Norse mythology, in which it was referred to as ‘Valhalla’. Valhalla is the fictional realm in Asgard where soldiers who had lost their life in battle would go upon their death; when a soldier’s life was claimed, mythology says that a Valkyrie, a female figure residing in Asgard, would bring the soul to Valhalla, letting it prepare for the day Ragnarök (Armageddon) would arrive. To Vikings, to die in battle was of the highest honor soldiers could achieve, promising glory unto the fallen and an afterlife full of feasts and more battles with the other einherjar (fallen soldiers residing in Valhalla). This early hall of fame concept soon grew popularity, inspiring others to create their own versions to celebrate all kinds of achievements, including academic intelligence, admirable public speaking, scientific knowledge, artistry and sports.
“The Hall of Fame [history] is fascinating, and the fact that it is still popularly used today [is too],” Eva Schwartz, sophomore, said.
Years after the Vikings looted their way through the world, others began to show interest in their fascinating lifestyles. One of the curious was King Ludwig I of Bavaria; taking inspiration from the Viking’s idea of Valhalla, Ludwig I decided to develop his own hall of fame, allowing him to honor the deserving and bring tradition into a new century. Between 1830 and 1842, Walhalla was built, its name derived from the mythical hall in Asgard itself. Later, architect Leo von Klenze designed Ruhmeshalle in Munich, Germany, its lavish statues and jaw-dropping structure attracting attention still to this day. However, in the United States, many began to yearn for their own hall of fame, especially one to honor athletes and their devotion to sports. In 1939, the first Baseball Hall of Fame was developed in Cooperstown, N.Y., celebrating first inductees Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson and Honus Wagner Christy Matthewson for their significant contributions to baseball.
“The Sports Hall of Fame is so cool; I really loved the Lebron [induction],” Layne Walker, junior, said.
The various Sports Halls of Fame honor thousands of athletes from all over the globe, specially showcasing their achievements in their chosen sport. However, to make a spot for themselves in the hall, these players discipline themselves far more than what the crowd sees, pushing their body to its very limit to truly earn recognition for their talent. Cal Hubbard, the only athlete to have ever been inducted into two Sports Halls of Fame, truly defines hard work, as his rightful entry into the Baseball Hall of Fame and the Football Hall of Fame proves just how passionate he was for the sports he loved. Athletes everywhere, many of them wishing for achievements such as this, too push themselves to their limit, hoping that their work will one day pay off.
“If you cannot control yourself, you cannot control the ball game,” Hubbard said.
The Sports Hall of Fame has come a long way since it was a mere tale to be told around the Vikings’ dinner tables. Even so, it has continued to motivate heart-strong athletes from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and with perseverance, courage and unwavering loyalty to their sport(s), a spot in the hall may just be in their future. To learn more about the Sports Hall of Fame and its fascinating origin story, click here. Remember, even if it takes years to achieve the goals so desperately wished for, seeing the plaque on the wall will make all the blood, sweat and tears shed ultimately worth it.
