The Michigan Sports Hall of Fame announces its Induction Class of 2025, celebrating and recognizing the best of Michigan sports.
Members of this class are scheduled to be honored during the 2025 Induction Event, on Friday December 19, 2025 at the Sound Board Theater at MotorCity Casino Hotel in Detroit. For tickets, which start at $25, visit mshof.org.
The Class was voted on by the Hall of Fame’s Election Task Force, a Statewide Election Committee, and the public. The Election Task Force, comprised of current and former journalists, sports executives, and other diverse and knowledgeable members of the community, was Chaired by Risa Balayem of PR1, Inc., a longtime sports and entertainment communications professional. The 2025 Class was ratified, unanimously, by the Hall of Fame’s Board of Directors, which also selected the inductee from the Contributor category and the winners of this year’s awards.
“This class is filled with champions at all levels. Their induction helps make sure that fans of Michigan won’t forget what they accomplished. Congratulations to the Class of 2025,” said Scott Lesher, Hall of Fame chairman.
“We appreciate the thousands of Michigan sports fans who helped select this class,” added Jordan Field, Hall of Fame president. “It includes those who, on the field and off, have accomplishments that will be remembered forever.”
A Hockey Hall of Fame defenseman who played a decade for the Detroit Red Wings, Chris Chelios helped lead the team to two of its Stanley Cup Championships. Named one of the NHL’s 100 all-time greatest players, Chelios played all of his seasons in Detroit after the age of 37, leading the league in plus/minus in the championship season of 2001-2002.
Traded to the Detroit Pistons in 2004, Wallace’s scoring and rebounding prowess proved to be the missing piece needed for the Pistons’ surprise victory over the Lakers during the 2004 NBA Finals. Wallace cemented himself as part of a dominant core that would return to the Finals the following year and make four consecutive Eastern Conference Finals appearances.
Born in Flint she began boxing at the age of eleven and made history as the first American boxer, male or female, to win consecutive Olympic gold medals in 2012 and 2016. She was the first American woman to win the gold medal in boxing, and the first to win two. She also dominated the World Championships, winning gold in 2014 and 2016, and a gold medal at the 2015 Pan American Games. Her amateur record was 64-1.
Was the 1999 Michigan Mr. Basketball winner and a McDonald’s All-American, leading Arthur Hill High School in Saginaw to the 1999 Class A Championship and was named Second-Team Parade All-American. At Michigan State he was instrumental in back-to-back Big Ten titles, Final Four appearances, and in the 2000 NCAA Championship victory.
The all-time winningest coach in Michigan State football history, Dantonio led the Spartans to three Big Ten championships, a Rose Bowl win and a berth in the 2015 College Football Playoff. He is one of seven Big Ten coaches to have at least six 10-win seasons and one of four Big Ten coaches to have at least five 11-win seasons.
Honored in 2023 at the Baseball Hall of Fame with a career achievement award, John Lowe covered Major League Baseball and the Detroit Tigers for the Detroit Free Press from 1986 through the 2014 season. Named Michigan’s sportswriter of the year, Lowe covered a generation of baseball in Detroit from the 1987 Tigers playoff team to the 2012 Word Series and the playoff teams that followed. Earlier in his career, he was credited by his peers as developing the “quality start” metric for pitchers.
As President and General Manager of the Detroit Tigers, he is credited with turning around the franchise after its American League record losing season in 2003. Highlights of Dombrowski’s 14-year tenure in Detroit include American League Championships in 2006 and 2012, among five playoff appearances that resulted in three consecutive American League Championship Series appearances.
Michigan Treasure Award
Each will receive a Michigan Treasure award for their behind-the-scenes roles in Michigan sports success. Falk served as the University of Michigan Football Equipment Manager for 40 years and later served as an advisor to the head coach. Schmakel worked for the Detroit Tigers for 47 years, including nearly 40 as Clubhouse Manager.
Courage Award
Isaac become known worldwide on social media for his humorous and joyful posts about Detroit sports, even during his long, public battle with cancer. His story and commentary inspired teams, coaches and athletes. Isaac passed away in March of this year.
Gerald R. Ford Award
At 12 years old, King Lewis paved the way for girls to play Little League Baseball in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Her story, and associated lawsuit, convinced national leaders of Little League to end its “no girls” policy.
Friday, December 19, 2025 – 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Sound Board at MotorCity Casino Hotel
General Admission / Balcony
VIP / Main Floor Ticket