The YMCA Movement has a long tradition of courageous, forward-looking leadership, both staff and volunteer. These leaders set new standards in their own YMCAs and communities, influenced Y work nationally and internationally, and embodied excellence for generations to come.
Photograph of former Springfield College president, Paul Moyer Limbert (center) at the 1985 YMCA Hall of Fame induction ceremony of which he was the first person to be inducted. Also featured in the photograph are Wilbert Locklin (left), Springfield College’s ninth president and Hall of Fame Chairman, William A. Howes (right).
DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY
STEP ONE DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY
Qualification for entry into the National YMCA Hall of Fame is determined by both the National Selection Committee and the National Executive Committee
Who is eligible to be nominated?
YMCA STAFF
Prospective staff candidates for induction will have been retired for 5 years by the date of induction. All contemporary and historical staff nominees must have demonstrated influence and created lasting impact on the YMCA Movement, nationally, internationally, or both, and been recognized as outstanding candidates.
YMCA VOLUNTEERS
As evidenced through the history of the Movement, the true genius of the YMCA lies in effective staff and volunteer partnership. For that reason, volunteers are eligible for inclusion in the National YMCA Hall of Fame. All contemporary and historical volunteer nominees must have demonstrated influence and created lasting impact on the YMCA Movement, nationally, internationally, or both, and have been recognized as outstanding candidates.
“A nominee’s impact on the organization still is the No. 1 criterion. What did they do? What lasting impact has that individual had on the YMCA?”
Retired Director of Multicultural Leadership Development,
YMCA of the USA
NOMINATE
STEP TWO NOMINATE
Nomination teams of a minimum of six people (a prime nominator and a minimum of five supporting letter writers) complete and submit candidate nominations.
How do I nominate a hero?
To nominate an individual into the National YMCA Hall of Fame you will need to create a nomination team. Each nomination team is composed of a minimum of six people: a prime nominator and a minimum of five additional individuals who write letters of support. The prime nominator will complete and submit the nomination form along with the letters of support, and serves as the main contact throughout the nomination process. Letters of support are required for contemporary nominees. Historical nominees do not require letters of support.
Submit completed nomination forms by Friday, August 29, 2025. No individual may submit more than one nomination form or letter of support in any nomination cycle.
Am I eligible to nominate?
Nominations may be submitted by active or retired YMCA staff members, or by active or former YMCA volunteers. Letters of support must be written and signed by active or retired YMCA staff members or active or former YMCA volunteers.
What is the nomination deadline?
A call for nominations is currently open and will close on Friday, August 29, 2025. Applications are due to the Springfield College Office of YMCA Relations no later than Friday, October 31, 2025. For information contact the YMCA Relations Office at (413) 748-3101 or ymca@springfieldcollege.edu.
SELECTION & INDUCTION
STEP THREE SELECTION & INDUCTION
Selection committee members review and vet the nomination documents for each candidate, forward their selections to the executive committee for confirmation, and thus determine the current class of inductees for each induction cycle
Who selects the winning nominations to be inducted?
The selection committee for each cycle will be established by the executive committee made up of the leaders of the three sponsoring organizations. The selection committee will be led by the Springfield College Office of YMCA Relations.
The sponsoring organizations of the National YMCA Hall of Fame include YMCA of the USA, the YMCA Retirement Fund, and Springfield College. This overseeing body has the responsibility of preserving the prominence of the National YMCA Hall of Fame at a level commensurate with the institutional legacy of the YMCA Movement, celebrating the history of the Movement by inducting past heroes, and educating today’s Y leaders about the accomplishments of those volunteers and staff and their contributions to our remarkable history.
Suzanne McCormick
President and CEO
YMCA of the USA
Mike Cefole
President & CEO
YMCA Retirement Fund
Dr. Mary-Beth A. Cooper
President
Springfield College
What is the winning selection criteria?
Selected contemporary and historical staff and volunteer nominees will have demonstrated influence and created lasting impact on the YMCA Movement, nationally, internationally, or both, and have been recognized as outstanding candidates.
When do inductions take place?
Inductions will be celebrated every three years at the General Assembly of YMCAs. The next induction ceremony will take place at the General Assembly of YMCAs in late summer of 2026. For information on the induction process contact the YMCA Relations Office at (413) 748-3101 or ymca@springfieldcollege.edu.
To view past ceremonies, click the link below.
Complete the form below
“The key to nomination is the comprehensiveness of one’s engagement, lifetime commitment and exemplary service as a leader and as a volunteer. Someone who has embodied, lived the mission in its biggest sense.”
Founder and Chairman, Board of Directors, Friends of the Jerusalem International YMCA, Retired from the YMCA of Greater St. Paul, Jerusalem International YMCA, and YMCA of the USA