Kanokogi – Honorary Chairperson of the International Women Sports Foundation Hall of Fame Alumni Association
June 9, 2008 the International Women’s Sports Foundation had our induction ceremony at our new home, The Billie Jean King International Women’s sports center, Hall of fame museum, and study center at 26 Broadway, in the heart of NY financial district. The Heisman trophy museum is on the same floor with us. We are now part of Sports Museum of America.
The following Women were inducted in the following order:
Pioneer Inductee sport–Golf…….Hisako "Chako" Higuchi
(photo – Norton-Foell 2008)
Winner of 72 worldwide titles, only Japanese player male or female, to capture a major championship title on either the LPGA or PGA tours, she is current commissioner of the JLPGA.
I had the privilege of inducting her into our hall of fame, and interpreting her speech presenting it to our audience and media .I think I got us some Golf fans interested in Judo now.
Contemporary Inductee sport ……..Track and Field….Hassiba Boulmerka from Algeria.
Olympic Gold medalist, 3 time world champion, sixth on 1,500 mall time list for fastest time, one of the first Women to be directly elected to the athlete’s commission of the International Olympic committee. The Induction was made, by Tennis great, Martina Navratilova.
Contemporary Inductee sport….Gymnastics…..Shannon Miller, USA
Seven times Olympic medalist, winner of 58 international and 49 national competition medals, more then half being Gold, member of the "magnificent squad” in the 1996 Olympic games.
The Induction was made by Janet Guthrie, first women to race in the Indy 500, pioneer of Women race car drivers.
Coach Inductee…..Sport Softball….Sue Enquist, USA
Winningest active softball coach with an overall record of 887-175-1(835) at the time of her retirement, 11 time NCAA Championship winner with the UCLA Bruins, national fastball coaches hall of fame member. The induction was made by Linda Vollstedt, known for her extraordinary Golf ability.
All the above presenters are International Women’s Sports Foundation Hall of Famers. It was an exciting event, and I am so pleased that I always have my tag line as Judo. The Tiffany Company presented all the hall of famers with a lovely silver bracelet indicating our sport and what year we were inducted.
Just when I thought is was over, I was called back to the stage and received a special award from Billie Jean King, our founder, with my new title, Honorary Chairperson of the International Women Sports Foundation, Hall of Fame Alumni Association. It was a great honor and surprise. Our new logo is "Equal Play" (below– photo by Jicky/Women’s Sports Foundation)
