HOF Inductee Criteria
Nominees for the Minor League Football Hall of Fame can be submitted in writing via email, other electronic communication (online HOF Nomination Form) or standard US Mail by previously inducted members ONLY. Nominations are accepted from April 1st thru April 30th of each year. The HOF Executive Board reviews the application of each nominee submitted and approved inductees are announced on or before May 31st.
The Annual Hall of Fame Banquet and Induction Ceremony information (date, time and location, etc) shall be announced on or before March 1st of each year, one month prior to Hall of Fame candidate nomination(s). The ceremony is the signature event of our yearly “Hall of Fame Weekend” which features multiple “All-Star” games and National Championship Bowls.
Minimum Criteria for Hall of Fame candidate(s)/nominee(s):
PLAYERS:
A successful "player" candidate for nomination into the Minor League Football Hall of Fame shall have a minimum of 10 years combined experience at the Adult Amateur Minor League level of American football and will have been removed (retired) from the sport no less than five (5) consecutive years. Player candidate(s) must have been named/selected to a league all-star roster in at least fifty percent (minimum 5 years) of the total time spent as a player in the sport.
A player candidate cannot have been suspended for any violation of league rules that involved violence (fighting, etc) towards a game official and/or referee, coach, team owner, or game day staff volunteer at any time during their career.
A player candidate cannot have been suspended for any violation of league rules that involved violence (fighting, etc) towards a player for any more than three (3) times during their career.
A player candidate cannot have been convicted of a crime classified as a felony at anytime during or after his career prior to HOF nomination.
COACHES:
A successful "coach" candidate (head coach, assistant coach, coordinators, etc) for nomination into the Minor League Football Hall of Fame shall have a minimum of 10 years combined experience at the Adult Amateur Minor League level of American football and will have been removed (retired) from the sport no less than two (2) years.
Coach candidate(s) must have been associated with team(s) that won no less than sixty-five percent (65%) of their total number of games played during their tenure.
A coach candidate must have made a significant contribution to the game in his/her community and/or with his/her players during their tenure.
A coach candidate cannot have been suspended for any violation of league rules that involved violence (fighting, etc) towards a player, game official and/or referee, coach, team owner, or game day staff volunteer at any time during their career.
A coach candidate cannot have been convicted of a crime classified as a felony at anytime during or after his/her career prior to HOF nomination.
TEAM OWNERS & EXECUTIVES:
A successful "team owner" or "executive" candidate for nomination into the Minor League Football Hall of Fame shall have a minimum of 10 years combined experience at the Adult Amateur Minor League level of American football.
A team owner or executive candidate must have made a significant contribution to the game in his/her community and/or with his/her players during their tenure.
A team owner or executive candidate cannot have been suspended for any violation of league rules that involved violence (fighting, etc) towards a player, game official and/or referee, coach, team owner, or game day staff volunteer at any time during their career.
A team owner or executive candidate cannot have been convicted of a crime classified as a felony at anytime during or after his/her career prior to HOF nomination.
GAME OFFICIALS/REFEREES:
A successful "game official/referee" candidate for nomination into the Minor League Football Hall of Fame shall have a minimum of 10 years combined experience at the Adult Amateur Minor League level of American football and have been removed (retired) from the sport no less than one (1) year.
A game official/referee candidate cannot have been suspended for any violation of league rules that involved violence (fighting, etc) towards a player, game official and/or referee, coach, team owner, or game day staff volunteer at any time during their career.
A game official/referee candidate cannot have been convicted of a crime classified as a felony at anytime during or after his/her career prior to HOF nomination.
JOURNALIST/BROADCASTER:
A successful "journalist" and/or "broadcaster" candidate for nomination into the Minor League Football Hall of Fame shall have a minimum of 10 years combined experience at the Adult Amateur Minor League level of American football.
A team journalist and/or broadcaster candidate must have made a significant contribution to the game during their tenure.
A journalist and/or broadcaster candidate cannot have been convicted of a crime classified as a felony at anytime during or after his/her career prior to HOF nomination.
ALL OTHERS (Game Day Staff, P.A. Announcer, Equipment Personnel, Team Volunteers, etc):
A successful candidate for nomination under this classification for induction into the Minor League Football Hall of Fame shall have a minimum of 10 years combined experience at the Adult Amateur Minor League level of American football
Said candidate must have made a significant contribution to the team(s) as well as the game of American football at the Minor League level in his/her community during their tenure.
Said candidate cannot have been suspended for any violation of league rules that involved violence (fighting, etc) towards a player, game official and/or referee, coach, team owner, or game day staff volunteer at any time during their career.
Said candidate cannot have been convicted of a crime classified as a felony at anytime during or after his/her career prior to HOF nomination.
EXCEPTIONS:
Any and all exceptions made to the aforementioned criteria must be authorized by the HOF Nomination Committee, justified with written documentation and submitted to the HOF Board of Directors for final approval.