The Madison Sports Hall of Fame Club evolved from the old Madison Pen and Mike Club, which was founded in 1962, the brainchild of sportswriter Bonnie Ryan.
The Pen and Mike Club’s constitution stated in part that the purpose of the organization was to join together media professionals and those promoting sports for the purpose of increasing the standards of sports in Madison and the area; to maintain a high level of reportorial fidelity; to provide recognition for outstanding performances in the field of sports and to promote fellowship among members.
Members met each week for a luncheon that featured guest speakers from the world of sports. The club’s main agenda, though, involved honoring sports high achievers with special monthly and annual awards and establishing a Madison Sports Hall of Fame, subsidized by the Bowman Sports Foundation, that enshrined an average of four inductees each June.
As charter members retired or died, their ranks were not replenished by younger media people. Enthusiasm of associate members, those who joined for their love of sports, never waned.
Determined to perpetuate the organization’s agenda, particularly the Hall of Fame, they reorganized in 1996 under the name of the Madison Sports Hall of Fame Club, aided by Schwoegler Sport Promotions.
Edgewood College, Flad Development & Investments, Madison Area Sports Commission, Neckermann Insurance Services, Strand Associates Madison and Exact Sciences continue their financial support for Madison Sports Hall of Fame. Anyone interested in perpetuating the club’s goal and fellowship is invited to join.
