Mark Spitz won five Gold Medals at the 1967 Pan-American Games, and he predicted that he would win six Golds at the 1968 Olympics. That didn't happen, as he left Mexico City with only two Golds, both of which in relay competition. This emboldened Spitz, who enrolled at the University of Indiana, where he trained under famed swimming coach, Don Counsilman.

The United States Athletics Hall of Fame is proud to announce the results of the 2024 Class.  This is a three-month vote open to the public where they could select 25 Athletes, 10 Coaches, and 10 Contributors.

The top 25 Athletes, top five Coaches, and top five Contributors were selected for the USAHOF Class of 2024.

This is the USAHOF’s second class, featuring athletes from ten different sports.

David Stern first worked with the NBA as outside legal counsel in 1966, and twelve years later, he was officially in their employ. Stern moved up to vice president in 1980, and in 1984, he succeeded Larry O'Brien as the new commissioner.

In 1960, Pete Rozelle was 34 years old and was the Los Angeles Rams' general manager. The National Football League, seemingly to the surprise of everyone, named the commissioner of the league.

Branch Rickey had a mediocre career as a baseball player, but he was intelligent and would manage the St. Louis Browns (1913-15) and St. Louis Cardinals (1919-25). He did not have a winning record, but he knew how to develop talent, and Rickey remained the Cardinals general manager although he was relieved of his managerial duties in 1925.

Lamar Hunt desperately wanted an NFL team, but he was constantly rebuffed. Hunt was not alone, and he put together a group of other like-minded individuals who formed their own organization, the American Football League.

Just win, baby.

This was the mantra of Al Davis, who may not have founded the Raiders, but he became to be their embodiment.

James Naismith spent his first 30 years in his native country from Canada, leaving for the United States after teaching physical education at McGill University in Montreal. Naismith relocated to Springfield, Massachusetts, where while teaching at the YMCA Training School, he invented and developed the game of basketball.

A two-time Olympian as a player, Herb Brooks would coach the Minnesota Golden Gophers to three NCAA Championships. That is already an impressive feat, but it paled to what he would do once chosen to coach the United States in 1980 at the Lake Placid Olympics.

We are generally hesitant to nominate an active coach, but this is Bill Belichick, a six-time Super Bowl winner and member of the NFL 100th Anniversary Team.