Over the past two years, the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Foundation’s “Join the TEAM” membership drive has generated $85,000 for aesthetic and technology upgrades at the now 12-year-old LSHOF and Northwest Louisiana History Museum in the Natchitoches Downtown Historic District.
Of the approximately 150 individuals and businesses that have supported the membership drive to date, only 20 percent of them are from Natchitoches. That percentage, respectfully, must be higher and there are good reasons why.
As the LSHOF Foundation often stresses, state funding pays salaries and basic operating expenses at the museum but upgrades – which are imperative to the continued livelihood and even survival of the museum – must be generated by privately raised funds.
Furthermore, many may not know that Natchitoches, in conjunction with NSU, hosted the annual Hall of Fame induction ceremony for over 50 years before the three-day event weekend, with its economic impact of over $1 million, could very well have been moved elsewhere as other cities expressed willingness to build a true museum home for the Hall. But city and community leaders along with legislators developed plans which blossomed into the opening of the $23 million state museum building on Front Street in 2013. Natchitoches remained home of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and has enjoyed statewide and national recognition, plus continuing economic impact.
The third annual LSHOF TEAM drive begins November 1, and it is my goal to increase the number of Natchitoches members. There surely are 100 local businesses and sports fans who can become a TEAM member at one of four levels and for as little as $10-$20 per month. Membership comes with a nice set of benefits, including the first-ever LSHOF commemorative poster featuring inductees such as Shaquille O’Neal, Kim Mulkey and “Pistol Pete” Maravich; LSHOF gear; entry in a monthly giveaway drawing; a discount on merchandise sales; the exclusive “Insider” quarterly newsletter and more. It is easy to join online at lasportshall.com or checks can be sent to 500 Front Street in Natchitoches.
I will be making calls, sending text messages, hitting social media, and knocking on doors to generate an uptick in local support for the LSHOF membership drive which, combined with efforts on a statewide level, will make 2026 the most successful year yet for the foundation.
Natchitoches – this is our museum! Please consider stepping up to make it a stronger and more vibrant asset for our community – Join the TEAM!
Greg Burke
LSHOF Foundation Director of Business Development and Public Relations