Our history

   Just a few weeks after a local Scott County (Mississippi) native was inducted into the state sports hall of fame, an effort was launched in 2014 to establish a local program to honor athletic achievement across the county.
  An organizing committee met at Kat’s Kave in Forest to establish the Scott County Sports Hall of Fame with the goal of inducting its first class the next year.
  The hall of fame for Scott County's historical athletic interests was the idea of Frank Edmondson of Lake who had heard about the same kind of program elsewhere.
  “When I heard about it being done in other places, I thought ‘why not Scott County?’ We have such a rich athletic tradition of achievement and this would be a great way to showcase that tradition,” Edmondson said.
  A selection committee was formed, officers elected, eligibility rules and induction process discussed.
  “There are so many people that are worthy of induction throughout the modern history of our county. We will have a large initial class and pare it down after that for annual inductions,” Edmondson said at the time.
  The committee used the eligibility requirements from existing halls of fame as a guide, adjusting for local needs.
“We acknowledge that even with detailed guidelines, there may be deserving individuals who do not fall within the existing eligibility guidelines,” Edmondson said. 
In this situation, a person could be considered if the selection committee unanimously approves an exception.
  Nominations are welcome year around, but must be received by September 30 to be considered in the next year's class.

   A display of inductees is set up for viewing year-around for the Hall of Fame in the pavilion office at Gaddis Park in Forest.

     In 2024, the HOF celebrated 10 years with the induction of the 10th class and the 100th member. The ceremony also included recognition of the 50th anniversary of the 1974 Lake High School "Un-Team" football program which finished their season undefeated, untied, unscored upon, and unchallenged.

It is the mission of the Scott County Sports Hall of Fame to recognize and honor men and women who have distinguished themselves and gained prominence in amateur and/or professional athletics; who have brought positive recognition to themselves, Scott County, the State of Mississippi and their own community; and who have met the established eligibility requirements for induction.

Our Credentials

The Scott County Sports Hall of Fame became incorporated with the Mississippi Secretary of State as a non-profit corporation as of February 26, 2015, under the laws of the Mississippi Constitution.

Timeline of important Dates

* August 27, 2014 - First meeting held to establish the Hall of Fame

* April 29, 2015 - First induction class included 25 members at the Livingston Center at Roosevelt State Park in Morton

* July 4, 2015 - Web site launched

* March 3, 2019 - HOF celebrated 5 years

* July 24, 2021 - Two classes inducted (2020 and 2021) due to Pandemic

* September 5, 2022 - Website overhauled and re-launched

* April 27, 2024 - HOF celebrated 10 years and inducted 100th member; recognized the 1974 Lake High School "Un-Team" football program.