History

The Athletics Congress (now called USA Track & Field) established this hall of Fame in Charleston, West Virginia, in 1974. The hall moved to the Hoosier Dome in Indianapolis in 1986.

Because of poor attendance, the hall became a traveling exhibit during the 1990s and then closed down entirely.

In 2003, the hall of fame moved into a new permanent home at New York City's 168th Street Armory.

The Armory hosts more than 80 track meets a year and is the training facility for more than 40,000 athletes. Since it draws about 300,000 visitors a year, it's expected to be an ideal home for the hall of fame.

Athletes become eligible three years after retirement. Coaches are eligible after 35 years if service, if still active, or if they put in at least 20 years of coaching before retirement.

An 800-member panel, made up of members of the Track & Field Writers of America, Hall of Fame members and officials, and USA Track and Field officials, selects inductees from a list of eligible candidates.

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