(ONTARIO, California, March 20, 2025) – Five legends whose on- and off-the-field contributions have made an indelible impression on the California sports landscape will be inducted into the California Sports Hall of Fame this summer in Ontario.
The 2025 inductees are boxer Shane Mosley, who held multiple world championships in three weight classes; former San Francisco 49ers offensive lineman Jesse Sapolu, owner of four Super Bowl rings; soccer legend Paul Caligiuri, best known for his “shot heard around the world” goal in the United States’ 1-0 World Cup qualifier victory in 1989; Janet Evans, the first American to win four individual Olympic gold medals in swimming; and Ron Brown, an NFL wide receiver who also won a gold medal in the 4-by-100-meter relays during the1984 Summer Olympics.
They will be inducted during formal ceremonies on Sunday, June 29, at the Ontario Convention Center.
“The impact that these five sports industry legends have had cannot be measured in numbers alone. In so many different ways, they have enhanced and transformed the experience for fans and entire communities, and helped to make California the center of the American sports scene,” said Christian Okoye, former All-Pro running back for the Kansas Chiefs and founder of the California Sports Hall of Fame.
The California Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies will be followed on Monday, June 30, by a fund-raising golf tournament at Red Hill Country Club in Rancho Cucamonga.
Since its establishment in 2006, the California Sports Hall of Fame has honored more than 100 sports icons, while promoting fitness awareness, education and athletic activities for youth and adults.
To be eligible, California Sports Hall of Fame candidates must have been born in California, have significant state ties, or spent a substantial part of their amateur or professional careers in the state. Nominations are accepted from the public at large as well as the Advisory Committee and current Hall of Fame members. After a vetting process, qualified candidates are voted on by an electorate that includes the organization’s Founder and Advisory Committee.
Induction into the California Sports Hall of Fame is the equivalent of a lifetime achievement award. Honorees have typically spent decades in the sports industry, have been leaders in the industryand have an extensive list of accomplishments.
Beginning with this year’s induction ceremony, two students will be awarded CIF Southern Section Commissions scholarships of $2,500 each. Funding is provided by the California Sports Hall of Fame through its partnerships. Partnership opportunities are available for both the Inductee Gala and the Golf Classic. Those partnership opportunities range from $5,000 to $50,000 and can be found here.
“We are proud to once again host the California Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony, one of many signature events that attract visitors from around the U.S. and the world to the fastest growing destination in our state,” said Michael Krouse, President and CEO of Greater Ontario California (GOCAL).
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CALIFORNIA SPORTS HALL OF FAME
The California Sports Hall of Fame, a non-profit organization, is operated by the Greater Ontario Sports & Entertainment Authority, and was founded in 2006 by Christian Okoye, former all-pro running back for the Kansas City Chiefs. With support from some of the biggest names in sports from the State of California, this influential organization was formed to honor our sports heroes, support struggling athletes, highlight California Sports history and promote education through sports. The organization assists young struggling athletes and Olympic hopefuls who cannot support themselves while training for competitions. Once a year, an induction ceremony is held to honor the accomplishments and contributions of the men and women who have excelled in their respective areas of sports and sports media in the State of California first, nationally and worldwide. For more information visit: CaliforniaSportsHallOfFame.org.
GREATER ONTARIO SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT AUTHORITY
The Greater Ontario Sports & Entertainment Authority (GOSports), powered by Greater Ontario California (GOCAL), is proud to be the cornerstone for all sports-related activities in the region. The Authority works hand-in-hand with GOCAL to find and secure hospitality support for major sporting events in the region. For more Information visit GO-CAL.org.