The Greater Wilmington Sports Hall Of Fame

Greater Wilmington Sports Hall of Fame (GWSHOF) Chairman Emeritus Bill Dooley explains that "our purpose is to honor those persons who by their excellence in the world of sport have brought recognition and esteem to themselves and the Greater Wilmington area." 

Bill Dooley coached at the University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest University, and is one of the winningest football coaches in Atlantic Coast Conference history. A resident of Wilmington, Coach Dooley guides the GWSHOF with the objective to "create public awareness of the areas' rich sports history and heritage."

Our annual honorees are selected from a long list of athletes, coaches, administrators, trainers, doctors, members of the media and any other person that has made a significant impact on the history and advancement of athletics in the Greater Wilmington area.

The GWSHOF has partnered with the Cape Fear Museum of History and Science. The museum will graciously house our pictures, plaques of recognition, signed sports memorabilia, and other sports-related artifacts. The Museum will also feature changing exhibits that honor the inductees as well as increase public awareness about our sports legends and their achievements. In addition, there is a proposed Museum expansion that will include a permanent exhibit location for a Greater Wilmington Sports Hall of Fame Café!