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U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame broadcast on NBC
// U.S. Olympic Committee // November 8, 2005
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The United States Olympic Committee today announced NBC, broadcast home of the Olympic Games through 2012, will serve as the network host for the 2006 U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame Presented by Allstate. The made-for-television event will be recorded December 8 during an awards ceremony at the Harris Theater in Chicago, Ill., and will be aired Sunday, January 1, 2006 on NBC beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET.
The 2006 U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be edited to fit into a 90-minute timeslot on NBC. As part of the broadcast coverage, viewers will be treated to competition footage as well as insights from friends and competitors of the honored legends who will be inducted into the exclusive group of U.S. Olympic and Paralympic greats.
"Having NBC take part in celebrating the achievements of the 2006 inductees speaks to the level of broadcast excellence we want associated with the accomplishments of America's greatest athletes and contributors," said USOC Chief of Marketing Jim Grice. "NBC's coverage of the Olympic Games leaves an indelible mark with Olympic fans, so we are extremely pleased that our network partner will also deliver the Hall of Fame program that celebrates those who have impacted the U.S. Olympic Movement in such a substantial way."
Longtime sports journalist Jim Lampley will serve as the master of ceremonies for the induction of Olympians Evelyn Ashford, Rowdy Gaines, Bob Hayes, Shannon Miller and Kristi Yamaguchi; Paralympian Diana Golden-Brosnihan; Coach Herb Brooks; the 1984 Men's Gymnastics Team; Jack Shea in the Veterans category; and Special Contributor Dick Ebersol. Lampley's Olympic experience includes working 12 previous Olympic Games in various capacities. He is scheduled to report on his 13th Olympic Games in February as he takes part in coverage of the 2006 Torino Winter Games from Italy.
The U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame was established in 1979 to celebrate the achievements of America's premier athletes in the modern Olympic Games. The first U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame class was inducted in 1983 during ceremonies in Chicago. That Charter Class, which included Olympic greats Jesse Owens, Jim Thorpe and Muhammad Ali, remains the largest group (20 individuals and one team) ever inducted. In 2004, after a 12-year hiatus, the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame was revived through the support of the Allstate Insurance Company as the presenting sponsor. This year, Allstate is again the presenting sponsor for the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame, with second year associate sponsor Kleenex and new associate sponsor United Airlines. To date, 182 athletes (including six U.S. teams) and special contributors to the U.S. Olympic Movement have been enshrined.
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