Order of Sparta
San Josi State University takes tremendous pride in the outstanding tradition of intercollegiate athletic competition that has been a part of our institution for over 100 years. Since the first team took the field in 1890 (baseball), thousands of ind
In recognition of these individuals and our history of sports, the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics is pleased to formally announce the establishment of the Order of Sparta, an organization created specifically for all SJSU former student-athletes and coaches. Membership is open to everyone who has coached or been a member of any team, past or present, that has been sponsored by the athletic department.
The annual membership fee is $50. All monies generated by the membership will be used exclusively for the enhancement and operation of The Order. The program is not a fund-raiser for the athletic department.
The first mailing in June 1999 was sent to a database of just over 1000 former student-athletes, coaches, and athletic support personnel. There are many more individuals than this who would qualify for membership, and we continually strive to improve our records. Your assistance in helping us to expand our database is welcomed. The current membership total is 243.
MISSION STATEMENT
The Order of Sparta, in its support and representation of all intercollegiate sports at San Jos? State University, is committed to promoting the winning tradition of Spartan Athletics and encouraging the continued environment of integrity and high academic standards for all student-athletes.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
? Support and promote the intercollegiate athletics program of San Jos? State University.
? Establish and facilitate communication among current student-athletes, former student-athletes and coaches, and the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics.
? Enhance the total university experience for all current student-athletes.
? Provide special events and activities for current and former student-athletes.
? Sponsor and administer the San Jos? State University Sports Hall of Fame.
? Publish a membership directory for all Order members.
? Maintain a comprehensive database.
MEMBERSHIP QUALIFICATIONS AND BENEFITS
Membership dues are $50 annually (July 1st through June 30th). This investment is used solely for the promotion and operation of The Order of Sparta. Your membership provides financial support for special events and activities, mailings, newsletters, awards, membership directory and other needs as required by The Order.
The benefits of membership include the following:
? Membership card.
? Annual membership directory.
? Quarterly Spartan Foundation newsletter.
? Reduced price for Hall of Fame induction banquet and ceremonies.
? The privilege to nominate candidates for consideration for Hall of Fame induction.
? Invitation to Order events and functions during the year.
? A 10% discount on the purchase of season tickets (up to four per sport) to Spartan sports.
? The satisfaction of enhancing the athletic and total university experience of every SJSU student-athlete while promoting the continued growth and success of Spartan Athletics.
SPORTS HALL OF FAME
The Order of Sparta assumes sole responsibility for the San Jos? State University Sports Hall of Fame, including the sponsorship of the annual banquet and creating the procedures and criteria for induction into the Hall of Fame. The Order represents all sports within the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics. Henceforth, no team or individual associated with Spartan Athletics will be recognized as a member of the San Jos? State University Sports Hall of Fame unless inducted through the criteria and procedures established by the leadership of The Order of Sparta.
Order of Sparta members are invited to make nominations for any individual or team for consideration as an inductee into the Hall of Fame.
SJSU Sports Hall of Fame History
For many years, the various sports within the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics inducted members of its teams into the Hall of Fame. Inductions took place on a regular basis through the mid-1960s, but only sporadically thereafter. Selections were generally made immediately following completion of an athlete’s eligibility by team coaches and, in some cases, athletic department administrative leadership. Some sports conducted formal ceremonies while others chose different forms of recognition.
Because the process was done on an individual sport basis rather than a department-wide format, the criteria for induction, for the most part, were determined by the leadership involved in that particular sport or sports and not by an organized group that represented the entire athletic department. Induction was based solely on a team or individual’s achievement while a current student-athlete. In some cases, individuals were inducted based on special category participation. A Women’s Hall of Fame, which has now been incorporated into the SJSU Sports Hall of Fame, was created in 1980. The only sport that still conducts hall of fame inductions is baseball. However, this recognition is for the sport only, not department-wide recognition.
A special Hall of Fame Subcommittee was created in the fall of 1998 to accomplish the following:
1) conduct appropriate research
2) establish induction criteria and guidelines
3) create a central file for all hall of fame material, both past and present
4) recommend to the Order of Sparta Board of Directors those individuals or groups that merit induction consideration
There are a total of 355 individuals and one team (1948 men’s golf) who are recognized as members of the San Jos? State University Sports Hall of Fame. The Board is responsible to elect all future members of the SJSU Sports Hall of Fame, in accordance with the bylaws of the Order of Sparta.
All Order of Sparta members are eligible to nominate former athletes or teams for Hall of Fame consideration. A complete list of Hall of Fame members can be found in the Sports Hall of Fame link. If you have materials or information that would be pertinent to the advancement of the Hall of Fame, you are encouraged to contact us. We would welcome the opportunity to visit with you.
SPONSORSHIPS
The Athletic department is pursuing sponsorships for next year’s Hall of Fame induction ceremonies. Sponsor options begin at $2500; and a title sponsorship is $12,500. This financial assistance is greatly needed and would be used to help with expenses such as travel, awards and related costs of the banquet and ceremony. In return, a sponsor(s) receives special recognition and selected benefits at the event and during the year. The support derived from the Order of Sparta membership is currently used for the operation of the organization: printing, mailings, membership directory, student athlete awareness and general promotion of the organization. Individuals or organizations interested in assisting or learning more about sponsorship opportunities are asked to contact John Glass, Sr. Associate Athletic Director for External Operations at 408.924.1215 or email to jglass@email.sjsu.edu