RWU Hall of Fame By-Laws

Candidacy
In order to qualify as a Hall of Fame nominee, the nominee should be a degree holder from Roger Williams University or a member of the RWU community, but not an active coach.  The candidate must be out of college for at least five years from their date of induction. The nomination will stay active for six years.  After a six-year cycle, a candidate must wait four years before being placed on the active nomination list again if re-nominated again.  Individuals may be deceased.  However, if an individual becomes deceased, at least two (2) years must elapse before that individual may be considered for selection.  If someone were to pass away while in the selection process, their name will be put on 'hold' for two years, then they would resume their six-year window.
 
Criteria
A nominee must meet one of the following criteria to be considered a candidate for the hall of fame:
 
Student-Athlete – Candidates must have displayed extraordinary ability while participating in athletics as well as demonstrating outstanding contributions to the field of athletics.
 
Coach/Contributor – Candidates must have made outstanding contributions to the field of athletics through coaching, clinics, volunteer work, professional committees and organizations, research, lecturing, etc.  Coaches/Contributors must have been part of the RWU staff for a minimum of five years. 
 
Team – Teams must have had extraordinary and/or significant accomplishment at the regional and national level.  No more than one team will be considered for selection each year. 
 
Process
  1. Candidates may also be nominated by anyone in writing or by using the online form on the RWU athletics website.The preferred method is the online nomination form.The nomination form must be filled out completely. If additional materials are needed, the nominator will be contacted.Biographical information or details (articles, clippings, records, resume etc.) on why one is nominating a candidate should be included.
  2. No candidate will be advised of his/her candidacy.All information pertaining to candidates is strictly confidential.Nominations and committee members must follow these guidelines.
  3. The Roger Williams University Athletic Communications staff will validate all nominations received.
  4. All nominations will go through a screening process to confirm statistics and accomplishments as well as to validate the worthiness of Hall of Fame consideration. This screening meeting will include the Director of Athletics or designee, the Athletic Communications Director, and a coach.The meeting would place candidates into one of three categories:
    • Not possessing credentials needed to move ahead in the selection process.
    • More information is needed about their background.
    • Possess the credentials to move ahead in the process.
 
Voting
No more than five (5) individuals will be selected for any one Hall of Fame class.  Consideration should be given to gender balance, team vs. individual sport representation, generations/eras representation, and sport representation. 
 
At the selection meeting, all committee members should be prepared to vote for their top 10 candidates.  Discussion will take place on candidates before each round of voting. 

Round 1 - Voting members will vote for their top 10 candidates.  Nominees who receive at least three (3) votes will move on. 
Round 2 - Voting members will vote for their top 6 candidates.  Nominees receiving at least four (4) votes will continue. 
Round 3 - Voting members will vote their top four (4) candidates.  Votes will be tabulated and the top four (4) or five (5) candidates will become eligible for the Hall of Fame. 
 
In the case of a tie for the final position, voting members will discuss each nominee in question.  A second vote will take place if the committee feels it is necessary after their deliberations. 
 
The Athletic Communications Director or designee will count the committee's votes.  All voting will be kept confidential. 
 
A quorum must be present (a minimum of seven out of eleven committee members).
 
Committee Composition
The Athletic Hall of Fame Committee is composed of 11 individuals.  Nine voting members will serve a four-year term.  The Director of Athletics will appoint individuals.  Every four years, three (3) members rotate off and are replaced by three new members.  An individual may not succeed him/herself without a three-year hiatus.   
 
The Roger Williams University Director of Athletics and Athletic Communications Director will serve as the 10th and 11th voting members of the committee.  The Athletic Communications Director or designee will serve as staff to the committee to facilitate the meeting and serve in an advisory capacity to the committee.
 
It should be noted that no more than six (6) voting members may be of one gender, and at least two must be current members of the Athletic Hall of Fame.
 
Timeline
  • Nominations will remain open on the website.
  • Hall of Fame Inductions will occur on 'odd' years (2019, 2021, 2023, etc.)
  • The selection committee will meet to determine the class by April 1 of that year
  • Inductees will be notified of their induction by April 15 of that year
  • Public notification will go out by May 15 of that year
  • Induction Ceremony will take place during Family Weekend/Homecoming of that year