By Lina Broydo
The star-studded Class of 2024 Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame (BASHOF) inductees includes San Jose Earthquakes legend Chris Wondolowski (Soccer), Patrick Marleau (Hockey), Brian Sabean (Baseball), John Taylor (Football), and Jenny Thompson (Swimming). Presented in part by KNBR 680 AM Radio, will be held on Monday, May 6, at the Hyatt Regency Embarcadero in San Francisco.
The BASHOF Class of 2024 represents a diverse swath of Bay Area sports, and each individual inductee has reached an elite level of success within their field. The May 6 gala event will benefit the Special Olympics Northern California.
“We are extremely excited to induct the 2024 class into the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame (BASHOF),” said Mario Alioto, Board Chair of BASHOF. “Each of these individuals has achieved a rare level of success during their careers and helped bring worldwide attention to the Bay Area. It’s especially gratifying that this class also recognizes athletes in several sports that have been historically underrepresented in BASHOF relative to their positive impact on the greater Bay Area community.”
“It’s an absolute honor and privilege to be inducted into the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame,” said Chris Wondolowski. “The Bay Area has such a long, proud history, so to be even considered among those who have made the biggest impact on our local sports community is humbling. A Danville native and graduate of Concord’s De La Salle High School, Wondolowski was named MLS Best XI three straight times from 2010-12. Internationally, Wondolowski made 35 appearances and scored 11 goals for the United States. A proud member of the Kiowa Tribe, he became the first Native American to play for the U.S. at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
The remaining Class of 2024 inductee members include individuals who have earned a wide range of honors, awards, and accolades, including being selected to their representative Hall of Fames, League Championships, Olympic Gold Medals, Most Valuable Player awards, and All-Star Games.
Patrick Marleau: NHL’s all-time leader in games played; 2x Olympic Gold Medalist (2010, 2014), World Cup of Hockey Gold Medal (2004), 4x NHL All-Star; San Jose Sharks all-time leading scorer. Brian Sabean: 3x World Series Champion general manager (2010, 2012, 2014),
Executive of the Year award (2003), seven postseason appearances (1997, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2010, 2012, and 2014); longest tenured general manager in San Francisco Giants history (20 seasons). John Taylor: 3x Super Bowl Champion (XXIII, XXIV, XXIX); 2x Pro Bowl (1988, 1989); NFL 1980’s All Decade Team; Second-Team All Pro (1989). Jenny Thompson: International Swimming Hall of Fame; most Gold Medals by a female swimmer in Olympic Games history (8x), 3x Silver Medals (1992, 2004 [2]), Bronze Medal (2000); 15 World Swimming Records; 19 NCAA National Individual and Relay Titles at Stanford University.
About Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame:
The Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame (bashof.org) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that was founded in 1979 by Lou Spadia, former president of the San Francisco 49ers. Spadia had long dreamed of a Hall of Fame to honor the Bay Area’s athletic legends which simultaneously raised funds to help kids play sports.
For more than 40 years, the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame has enshrined 185 athletes and donated more than $4 million to youth organizations in our local Bay Area communities.
About Special Olympics Northern California:
Special Olympics Northern California (SONC.org) enriches the lives of children and adults with intellectual disabilities through sports, health, leadership and inclusive school programs.
The 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization offers free year-round programming in 44 counties across Northern California, empowering athletes to be their best both on and off the field.
For additional information and tickets to the enshrinement gala dinner event visit bashof.org.
Photos courtesy of BASHOF
