The Gloucester County Sports Hall of Fame began in 1980 when Gus Ostrum, then a sportswriter for the Gloucester County Times, and Jim Hawkins, former track and field coach and administrator at Deptford Township High, conceived the idea of a county-wide Sports Hall of Fame. With plans to honor people who brought lasting fame and recognition to Gloucester County through athletics, the idea of a Sports Hall of Fame quickly drew support from all corners of the county. An executive board, with Ostrum as the organization's president, quickly went into action and the first selection of candidates took place in December of 1980, with the first induction banquet being held in March 1981.
    Hawkins, who has served as vice-president since 1980,  former longtime West Deptford High coach Sally Jordan, and former Deptford athlete/coach/writer Bryant Heisinger have remained on the Board with Ostrum since its inception.
    The volunteer Executive Board positions require hours of commitment to meetings and research, and over the past 24 years many outstanding sports figures have served terms on the Executive Board. Currently the Executive Board is made up of the above-mentioned members, plus: long-time Pitman sports enthusiast Roy Harmon;  John Margie, legendary youth coach and Gloucester County Recreation Commission member;  veteran Gloucester County area coach Joe Herrschaft; and retired Clayton High educator and coach Angela Anderson.
    The 25th "class" of  Hall of Fame members was elected in January of 2005 and was inducted at the March 22, 2005 banquet. Between 10 to 14 members are usually selected each year, and selections represent a diverse group of athletes, coaches and contributors to sports from around Gloucester County.   
      Beginning with  the first banquet in 1981, the Hall of Fame induction/banquet has been held at Auletto's Catering in Almonesson (Deptford Township), NJ. Honorees have traveled from all over the country to return to their "roots" and be honored by overflow crowds.  Many of the ceremonies have been telecast over the local cable network.
    Over the years the Gloucester County Sports Hall of Fame has established itself as one of  the most prestigious sports organizations of its kind, and with continued public support and interest, the GCSHOF will continue to positively impact the local sports scene for years to come!                                                                                    

     The Executive Board plans to expand in 2006. Any Gloucester County sports fan interested in serving on the executive board is encouraged to contact Hall of Fame president Gus Ostrum for more details.