CLEVELAND, Ohio – An Olympic sprinter, a hoops star, a beloved Buckeye football player and a mixed-martial arts champion are among this year’s inductees into the Greater Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame.
In addition, a GCSHOF board member who promotes racquet sports will be inducted for meritorious service when the organization debuts its new home this December.
Ceremonies will be held Tuesday, Dec. 2, at Urban Community School’s Roundstone Athletic Center, home to the new GCSHOF and museum on Cleveland’s near West Side.
This year’s class includes Wanda Ford, Tianna Madison, Stipe Miocic, Chris Spielman and Jack Turben.
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GCSHOF also will present Empower Sports and Rec2Connect as recipients of the Jack Herrick Youth Sports Fund grants. The fund supports non-profit youth-oriented sports organizations that provide opportunities for local youth of all backgrounds.
The non-profit Greater Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame celebrates star athletes and notable sports figures born and/or raised in Greater Cleveland, or who have made their home in the region. The organization was established in 1976 and has more than 530 inductees.
2025 Greater Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame class
Wanda Ford – basketball
Ford attended East Tech High School and Drake University, where her number is retired. She was the first woman in NCAA history to collect 1,500 rebounds and set the NCAA career record with 1,887 rebounds. She played professionally overseas and works with children with behavioral problems while teaching physical education at NEO College Prep School (Lower Campus) in Cleveland’s Tremont neighborhood.
Tianna Madison – track and field
Madison, who grew up in Elyria, won Olympic gold medals and has committed herself to Special Olympics and the Boys and Girls Clubs. She is coach of the San Jose State women’s track and field team.
Stipe Miocic – mixed martial arts
The former MMA heavyweight champion grew up in Euclid and works as a firefighter in Westlake. He holds the record for most wins in heavyweight title fights and the longest title defense streak in Golden Gloves boxing heavyweight division. He also wrestled at Cleveland State University.
Chris Spielman – football
Spielman starred at Massillon and became a star linebacker at Ohio State University and then the Detroit Lions and Buffalo Bills. He was named as one of three linebackers on Associated Press’ 100th anniversary All-America team (along with Dick Butkus and Derrick Thomas). He has spearheaded the work of the Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research, named after his late wife.
Jack Turben – meritorious service
A tireless advocate for excellence and community, Turben valued sports and was a lifelong racquet-sports enthusiast. His love for squash helped reshape the sport’s footprint throughout Greater Cleveland, with his efforts laying groundwork for Squash In The Land, Cleveland’s international tournament. He is vice chairman of the GCSHOF board.
If you go: 2025 GCSHOF induction
Location: Urban Community School Roundstone Athletic Center, 2025 W. 47th St., Cleveland.
When: Tuesday, Dec. 2.
Schedule: Reception, 6 p.m.; dinner, 7 p.m.; program, 8 p.m.
Individual ticket: $275.
Table for 10: $2,500, includes a half-page ad in Class of 2025 dinner program.
Reservations:
Email – admin@clevelandsportshall.com
Phone – 216-241-1919
Online – Complete the form at clevelandsportshall.com