SUNY Cortland Athletics

Established in 1969, the C-Club Hall of Fame recognizes Cortland alumni who excelled as athletes at the College and who have since distinguished themselves in their professions and within their communities. Honorary members are recognized for their long and significant contributions to SUNY Cortland Athletics.

The nomination deadline is January 15 for a nominee to be considered for that year's induction class.

ONLINE NOMINATION FORM




 

C-Club Hall of Fame selection policy as adopted by the C-Club's Board of Directors on September 13, 2003:

Hall of Fame Membership Criteria:

1. Established in 1969, the C-Club Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who:
    a. graduated from SUNY Cortland;
    b. competed as athletes at SUNY Cortland, or, if alumnae who attended Cortland before the advent of intercollegiate sports, were active within sports-related organizations at the College;
    c. distinguished themselves as student-athletes while at SUNY Cortland;
    d. have since distinguished themselves in their chosen professions; and
    e. have made positive contributions within their communities.

2. On occasion, honorary members may be inducted to the Hall of Fame. These individuals, who may or may not be Cortland alumni, will have:   
    a. made significant contributions to SUNY Cortland athletics; and
    b. will have done so over an extended period of time.

Solicitation of Hall of Fame Nominees:

1. C-Club Newsletter

2. C-Club Web Site - all year

3. An annual letter to the current Hall of Fame members

Nomination Deadline:

1. January 15
2. Any nominations received after that date will be ineligible for inclusion in that year's Hall of Fame review and voting

Hall of Fame Nominee Information to C-Club Board Members:

1. Prior to the C-Club Board meeting in March, the Athletics Department sends the nominee packet to each Board member, as directed by the C-Club President and College athletic director, for review.

2. The packets will include:
    a. Nominator's letter of recommendation
    b. Nominee's resume
    c. Nominee's completed Hall of Fame nomination form

C-Club Meeting in Late March:

1. No Hall of Fame voting will take place prior to or during this meeting.
2. C-Club Board members are strongly urged to attend this meeting.
3. The purpose of this meeting is to openly discuss the merits or and/or concerns about every eligible candidate for the C-Club Hall of Fame that year.
4. After the meeting, each voter will be given a ballot to take home.

Hall of Fame Voting:

1. The C-Club Hall of Fame selections will be made by a composite vote of all Board members, who will complete and mail their ballots to the Athletic Department secretary after the March C-Club meeting, but no later than April 21. Ballots must be postmarked by the deadline date (April 21) or they will be declared null and void.

2. Each voter will cast "Yes" votes for a minimum of six (6) candidates and a maximum of 10 candidates, not including Honorary Member candidates.

3. SUNY Cortland's sports information director will tabulate the votes.

4. To be selected, a nominee must receive "Yes" votes on at least 60 percent of the valid ballots cast by those Board members voting. The Board will induct no more than six (6) Hall of Fame members, excluding Honorary Hall of Fame inductees, in any given year. If more than six candidates receive at least 60 percent of the votes cast, the six that receive the most votes will be inducted.

5. (Updated: 10/21/23): If two or more candidates are tied for the final spot(s), all of the tied candidates are inducted. This is the only scenario that would allow more than six non-honorary members in a given year.

6. (Updated: 10/21/23): Candidates for honorary membership will be voted upon at the same time as the other nominees, but on a separate portion of the ballot. Voters may cast up to two (2) votes for honorary membership candidates. There is no minimum vote total in this category. A candidate must receive "Yes" votes on at least 60 percent of the valid ballots cast. The Board will induct no more than two (2) Honorary Hall of Fame members. If more than two candidates receive at least 60 percent of the votes cast, the two that receive the most votes will be inducted. If two or more candidates are tied for the final spot(s), all of the tied candidates are inducted.

Notification of Board Members:

1. All board members will be notified of the final induction list by the C-Club President or designee.

Notification of Nominees Selected:

1. Candidates selected for induction will be telephoned ASAP by the C-Club President or designee.

2. The C-Club President will also send a congratulatory letter to each new Hall of Fame member, with a copy to each nominator.

3. The Alumni Office will send each new Hall of Fame member a letter outlining the details of the Hall of Fame induction banquet.

4. Inductees will also be contacted by the C-Club President, seeking:
    a. A suitable 5x7 photograph (preferably digital, 300 dpi or better) which will be used on the plaque that is framed for the Hall of Fame gallery in the Park Center (NOTE: As of 2021, the gallery has been changed and no longer includes placques). This photo will also be used for the banquet program and for publicity purposes. If the photo is copyrighted, the inductee is asked to provided a permission letter from the photographer allowing use of the photo for publicity purposes.
    b. A list of newspapers and other media outlets that the inductee would like the Hall of Fame induction announcement press release sent to.

Notification of Nominees Not Selected:

1. The remaining Hall of Fame candidates will receive a letter from the C-Club President indicating that they have not been selected, with a copy sent to each respective nominator.

Non-Selected Nominee Eligibility:

1. Nominees (including honorary candidates) remain eligible for three (3) years. If not selected for induction after three years, the candidate must wait three years before becoming eligible for re-nomination to the Hall of Fame. For example, a candidate is on the ballot in 2013, 2014 and 2015. If not selected within that three-year time frame, the candidate would not be eligible for the next three years and would be allowed back on the ballot, if nominated again, in 2019. However, if a candidate receives at least 50 percent of the vote in the final year of consideration but is not elected, they will carry over as a "third-year" candidate the following year.

Publicity:

1. The Hall of Fame biographies are written by the College's sports information director.
2. New Hall of Famers will be publicized in:
    a. C-Club Newsletter
    b. C-Club Web site
    c. Columns
    d. News releases sent by the sports information director

Hall of Fame Weekend:

1. Hall of Fame inductions will take place during Hall of Fame Weekend held each autumn on the SUNY Cortland campus.

2. Inductees will be invited to participate in all Hall of Fame Weekend activities, e.g. "Classic" Team Reunions, C-Club Board meeting, C-Club luncheon, introduction at halftime of the Cortland football game in the Stadium Complex.