Michigan Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2024

Michigan Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2024 Enshrinement Ceremony

January 28, 2025 — The Michigan Sports Hall of Fame announced on Facebook the newest group of inductees for the Class of 2024. This year’s Class of 2024 includes 11 inductees, featuring professional athletes, amateur athletes, a coach, members of the media, and a legend.

The Class of 2024 was chosen by the Hall of Fame’s Election Task Force, a statewide committee, and the public. The Election Task Force includes current and former journalists, sports executives, and other professionals. It was Co-Chaired by Bruce Madej, former Associate Athletic Director at the University of Michigan, and Tony Paul, a sports journalist from the Detroit News.

The Hall of Fame’s Board of Directors approved the 2024 Class and also selected the inductee from the Contributor category and the winner of the Michigan Treasure Award.

“Thousands of Michigan sports fans helped select this class,” added Jordan Field, Hall of Fame president.

Jordan Field, the president of the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame, expressed gratitude for the public’s involvement and the volunteers who contributed to making this Anniversary class truly memorable.

Baron® is honored to have designed and crafted custom Hall of Fame Rings for these distinguished inductees. We celebrate their incredible accomplishments and the legacy with a personalized Hall of Fame Ring.

2024 MSHOF Induction Ceremony took place on Thursday, October 17, 2024, at 6 p.m. at the Sound Board at MotorCity Casino Hotel in Detroit.

Michigan Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2024 Ceremony Gallery.
Take a look at photos from the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2024 Ceremony Gallery.

Tony Esposito, was born in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, excelled as a goalie at Michigan Tech in the 1960s, earning three All-American honors and leading the team to the 1965 NCAA Championship.

After starting his professional career with the WHL’s Vancouver Canucks in 1967, he debuted in the NHL with the Montreal Canadiens and gained fame with the Chicago Blackhawks.

In 1970, Esposito won the Calder Trophy (Rookie of the Year), Vezina Trophy (Top Goaltender), and was the Hart Trophy (MVP) runner-up. He remained one of the NHL’s top goaltenders through the 1970s, winning two more Vezina Trophies, and the Blackhawks retired his #35 jersey in his honor.

Post-playing career, Esposito served as general manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins and chief scout for the Tampa Bay Lightning. He passed away in 2021, leaving a lasting legacy in hockey.

Discover Tony Esposito‘s remarkable journey and explore his Hall of Fame career profile.

Nicknamed “Big Daddy,” Cecil Fielder became one of baseball’s premier home run hitters in the early 1990s, thrilling Detroit Tigers fans with his power at the plate.

After a year in Japan, he joined the Tigers in 1990 and made history with 51 home runs and 132 RBIs, becoming the first Tiger since Hank Greenberg in 1938 and only the second MLB player in 25 years to hit 50 home runs in a season.

Fielder followed up with 44 home runs in 1991, making him the first Tiger to achieve back-to-back 40+ home run seasons since Greenberg. He was an American League MVP runner-up in both 1990 and 1991 and led the league in RBIs for three consecutive seasons from 1990 to 1992. Known for his towering home runs, Fielder remains the only Tiger to hit a ball over Tiger Stadium’s left-field roof.

After leaving the Tigers in 1996, he played for three other teams before retiring with 319 career home runs, cementing his place as one of baseball’s most memorable sluggers.

Discover Cecil Fielder‘s remarkable journey and explore his Hall of Fame career profile.

Larry Foote, a standout linebacker from Detroit Pershing High School, excelled at the University of Michigan from 1998 to 2001. Over 28 starts, he recorded more than 200 tackles, including over 50 for loss, and 11 sacks.

He earned first-team All-Big Ten honors in 2000 and became the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 2001, also receiving Michigan’s Roger Zatkoff Award as the program’s top linebacker.

Drafted in the fourth round of the 2002 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers, Foote won two Super Bowls, including Super Bowl XL in his hometown of Detroit. After seven seasons with the Steelers, he played for the Detroit Lions, returned to the Steelers, and spent a year with the Arizona Cardinals before retiring.

Since 2015, Foote has transitioned into coaching and currently serves as a defensive coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Discover Larry Foote‘s remarkable journey and explore his Hall of Fame career profile.

Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez, a Baseball Hall of Famer, joined the Detroit Tigers as a free agent in 2004, marking a turning point for the franchise. In his first season, he became an All-Star, one of only three catchers to achieve that honor in the first ten seasons of their career, and won the Tigers’ first Gold Glove in 15 years.

Rodriguez played a pivotal role in the Tigers’ 2006 American League Championship, leading them to the World Series, and in 2007, he caught Justin Verlander’s first no-hitter. Over his four-and-a-half seasons in Detroit, he recorded over 700 hits, 300 RBIs, and 62 home runs while excelling defensively.

Across his 21-year MLB career, Rodriguez retired in 2011 with a .296 batting average, 311 home runs, and 1,332 RBIs, solidifying his legacy as one of baseball’s greatest catchers.

Discover Iván “Pudge” Rodríguez‘s remarkable journey and explore his Hall of Fame career profile.

Braylon Edwards, a standout wide receiver from Bishop Gallagher High School in Harper Woods, excelled at the University of Michigan from 2001 to 2004. He set Michigan records for single-season and career receptions and receiving yards while also setting a Big Ten record with 39 career touchdown catches.

In 2004, he earned unanimous All-American honors, the Fred Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s top receiver, and the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year title. Edwards remains the only Big Ten receiver to surpass 1,000 receiving yards in three consecutive seasons and tied a Rose Bowl record with three touchdown catches in his final college game.

Selected third overall in the 2005 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns, Edwards enjoyed a seven-year NFL career, earning a Pro Bowl selection and playing for four teams. He now works as a host for the Woodward Sports Network.

Discover Braylon Edwards‘ remarkable journey and explore his Hall of Fame career profile.

Jake Long, the first overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins, made his mark as an exceptional offensive lineman from Michigan. At Lapeer East High School, he earned Detroit News all-state “Dream Team” honors, excelling in football as both an offensive and defensive player, as well as in basketball and baseball.

At the University of Michigan, Long was a consensus All-American in 2006 and a unanimous All-American in 2007, earning Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year honors and serving as team co-captain during his senior season. Over his final two seasons, the Wolverines secured 20 victories.

In the NFL, Long was a three-time Pro Bowl selection and started every game he played for the Dolphins from 2008 to 2012. He concluded his eight-year professional career with stints at the St. Louis Rams, Atlanta Falcons, and Minnesota Vikings.

Discover Jake Long‘s remarkable journey and explore his Hall of Fame career profile.

Deanna “Tweety” Nolan, a basketball standout from Flint Northern High School, led her team to consecutive State Championships and earned the “Miss Basketball” award as Michigan’s top player. At the University of Georgia, she was a two-time All-American, helping the Bulldogs achieve an impressive 86-12 record during her college career.

Selected sixth overall in the 2001 WNBA Draft by the Detroit Shock, Nolan played nine seasons as a guard, winning three WNBA Championships and earning five All-WNBA team honors. She was named MVP of the 2006 WNBA Finals and averaged nearly 14 points per game in her career. Internationally, she achieved further success, winning multiple league championships in Russia and Israel.

Recognized as one of the WNBA’s all-time greats, Nolan was named to the league’s 20th Anniversary Team, cementing her legacy in basketball history.

Discover Deanna Nolan‘s remarkable journey and explore his Hall of Fame career profile.

Shawn Respert, a standout at Redford Bishop Borgess High School, became a legendary figure at Michigan State University, where he was the Spartans’ leading scorer for all four of his seasons (1991-1995). Under coach Jud Heathcote, Respert finished his career as MSU’s all-time leading scorer and the Big Ten Conference’s second all-time leading scorer.

During his senior season, he averaged 25.6 points per game, earning unanimous first-team All-American honors, Big Ten Player of the Year, and National Player of the Year awards from the Sporting News and NABC. In recognition of his achievements, MSU retired his number 24 jersey.

Selected eighth overall in the 1995 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers, Respert played for four NBA teams and also had an international career, all while overcoming cancer. After retiring, he remained in basketball as a coach and player development executive.

Discover Shawn Respert‘s remarkable journey and explore his Hall of Fame career profile.

Jim Harbaugh, in his final three seasons as head football coach at the University of Michigan, led the Wolverines to consecutive Big Ten Championships and a 15-0 record, securing the 2023 National Championship. Over nine seasons at Michigan, he posted an impressive 86-25 record.

Harbaugh is now the head coach of the NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers, following a successful stint as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, where he led the team to a Super Bowl appearance in 2012 and was named NFL Coach of the Year in 2011. Before his NFL coaching career, Harbaugh coached at Stanford University and the University of San Diego, after serving as an assistant coach with the Oakland Raiders following his retirement from a 15-year, five-team NFL career.

Raised in Ann Arbor, Harbaugh starred as a quarterback at Pioneer High School before an All-American career at the University of Michigan, where he compiled a 21-3-1 record as the starting quarterback.

Discover Jim Harbaugh‘s remarkable journey and explore his Hall of Fame career profile.

For 23 years, Don Shane was the lead sports anchor at ABC affiliate WXYZ-TV in Detroit, where he became a household name for Michigan sports fans.

From 1989 to 2012, he covered some of the biggest sports moments, including four Red Wings Stanley Cups, three Pistons NBA Championships, Tigers World Series appearances, Super Bowl XL, and numerous other major events like Rose Bowls and golf and boxing Championships.

Shane was known for his “Big Ten Ticket” football pregame shows, which he co-hosted with Michigan Sports Hall of Fame coach Bo Schembechler, and his popular “Dare Don” segments, where viewers challenged him to athletic feats. He won 23 Emmy awards during his career.

Before his tenure at WXYZ, Shane worked as a reporter and anchor in Chicago, Boston, and Detroit’s WDIV-TV. He retired from sportscasting in 2012 and passed away in 2023.

Discover Don Shane‘s remarkable journey and explore his Hall of Fame career profile.

Ken Holland, a key figure in the Detroit Red Wings’ front office, served as Executive Vice President and General Manager from 1997 to 2019, during which the team won four Stanley Cup championships.

Under his leadership, the Red Wings captured 10 division titles, five regular-season conference titles, four President’s Trophies, and recorded more regular-season and playoff victories than any other NHL franchise. The team reached 100 points 13 times in 17 seasons.

Initially a goaltender in the Red Wings system, Holland transitioned to a scout after his playing career ended. He went on to become the scouting director, responsible for several legendary Hall of Fame draft picks, and later served as assistant general manager. After his time with the Red Wings, Holland became GM of the Edmonton Oilers, leading them to a Stanley Cup Final appearance.

A Hockey Hall of Famer, Holland, a native of British Columbia, also held managerial roles with Team Canada, including General Manager for the 2006 World Championships.

Discover Ken Holland‘s remarkable journey and explore his Hall of Fame career profile.

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