SPORTS

ELK RAPIDS HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS
Elk Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2026 is now open for nominations ​

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Hall of Fame class of 2024 inductees. Courtesy photo
The annual nomination process for the Elk Rapids High School Athletic Hall of Fame is now open for the 2026 inductees. The Elk Rapids Hall of Fame is an opportunity to permanently recognize athletes, coaches, teams and individuals from the past who have made a successful impact on Elk Rapids High School sports. Nominees can be from any decade; there are many older players and teams that have largely been forgotten that deserve the honor of being in the Hall. Members of the community are encouraged to nominate any athlete, team or individual from any era they think should be in the Hall of Fame.

The last two years have seen a total of 12 members enshrined into the Hall during an induction ceremony taking place in January during halftime at an Elk varsity basketball game. The ceremony introduces the newly selected inductees to the public along with a plaque listing the accomplishments that earned them a place in the Hall of Fame. An identical plaque is permanently placed in the Hall of Fame section of the new Elk Rapids gymnasium. The 2026 inductees will be again be honored this coming January, and the selection process now begins with nominations from the public.

Nomination Criteria
An athlete must be out of school for a minimum of four years. The nominated athlete must have graduated from ERHS. Members will be chosen on athletic merit and shall have demonstrated high character traits. All-state, all-area and all-conference recognitions will be a part of the selection criteria. Nominated coaches must have coached for at least five years at ERHS and demonstrated high character traits. Athletic teams may be nominated as a group. A person nominated as a contributor must have made very meaningful contributions to the ERHS Athletics program.

Nominations are due by September 1st for the upcoming year
The inductees will be chosen by the Hall of Fame Committee in September after all the nominations have been received and evaluated. The athletic director is the chair of the committee but does not have a vote in the selection process. There will be a minimum of two inductees per year. The committee will do its best to limit the number of inductees per year to the point of keeping the honor to one of a very high standard. The first few years of this process may have some larger classes. A person or team previously nominated but not selected will remain permanently active on the nomination list.
The Elk Sports Hall of Fame was first introduced around 2005 but received little attention with membership holding at five coaches, the 1997 and 1998 Elk boys soccer state champion teams and the plaques for the Elk boy and girl athlete of the year. 

For the nomination form, please use the web address https://forms.gle/wCJVf8Kn2UPhBrYL8 or go to the link found on the Elk Rapids Schools website under the “Athletics” section. For a hard copy of the nomination form, please contact Elk Rapids Athletic Director Brett Graham at [email protected] or 231-264-8108.
To improve the chances of being inducted, it is imperative to list all accomplishments as specifically as possible. For example, any varsity letters earned, along with all-conference or all-state honors, any school records or individual stats, along with any team records, accomplishments and championships. The Hall of Fame committee has a research team, but the more information they have to begin with makes the process easier.
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Thank you for remembering and nominating the many Elk Rapids high school sports standouts from the past!