Stanford Athletics' Hall of Fame

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Wall of Fame

Upon entering the Sydney and Theodore Rosenberg Stanford Athletic Hall of Fame Room, visitors see the grand list of Stanford Hall of Fame inductees, with former players and coaches dating back to 1908. Around the corner is the Stanford Athletics Hall of Fame Gallery. The pictures, which are sorted by sport, represent the hundreds of inductees that were welcomed into the Hall of Fame since the inaugural class of 1954. For a full list of Stanford Hall of Fame inductees, visit our Inductee's Page.

NCAA Trophy Collection

Perhaps the most remarkable display guests see as they enter the Hall of Fame Room is the many NCAA Championship Trophies that line the room's perimeter. Stanford Athletics has won over 90 total NCAA championships over the years. Visitors are able to view many of those trophies, including ones dating back as far as 1953.

The Cardinal has won at least one NCAA team championship for the last 30 consecutive years. They also hold the nation's record for being awarded over 50 NCAA titles since 1990 and over 70 since 1980. The abundance of NCAA Championship Trophies exhibits why Stanford Athletics truly is "Home of Champions."

The Director's Cup was established in 1993 to honor the most outstanding Collegiate Athletic program in the nation. The program recognizes institutions whom are both successful and are able to maintain a broad-based program in both men's and women's sports. The Cardinal, with an outstanding roster of 35 Varsity teams, has won each consecutive year, with the exception of the first year. Every Director's Cup trophy is proudly displayed in the Hall of Fame Room. For more information on the history of the Director's Cup, the scoring structure, and current or previous standings, visit http://nacda.cstv.com/directorscup/nacda-directorscup.html.

Visitors browsing the Stanford Football area will notice the framed jersey of football great, Jim Plunkett. Plunkett played at Stanford as quarterback during the 1968, 1969, and 1970 seasons. He completed 530 of 962 pass attempts in his collegiate career for 7,554 yards and 52 touchdowns, setting then school records in every category. During his time at Stanford, Plunkett played with other All-Americans such as Don Parish, Jeff Siemon, Malcolm Snider, and Pete Lazetich.

Plunkett remains in Stanford's history books for throwing the 2nd longest touchdown pass at 96 yards in 1970, the same year Plunkett was named 1st-Team All-American. The football great finished his career at Stanford with a school and NCAA record 7,887 yards in total offense. He went on to become the number-one draft pick in the NFL in 1971. Besides being elected to the Stanford Athletic Hall of Fame, Plunkett was elected to the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame in 1989 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1990.

In 1991, Plunkett's jersey, number 16, became the 2nd to be retired in Stanford's history. The other, belonging to Ernie Nevers, is displayed in the Hall of Fame Room next to Plunkett's.

Another prized item on display in the Hall of Fame Room is the actual Heisman Trophy that was awarded to Plunkett during his senior season at Stanford. Jim Plunkett was the first and only Stanford player to win the Heisman Trophy Award. His first place title was unanimous across voting regions and his deservingness was confirmed less than a month later, following his performance at the 1971 Rose Bowl. After completing 20-of-30 passes for 265 yards and scoring a touchdown, Plunkett earned MVP and led his team to victory over Ohio State in Stanford's first Rose Bowl since 1941.

For more information on Jim Plunkett, the history of the Heisman Trophy Award, and past Heisman winners and their statistics, visit http://www.heisman.com/winners/j-plunkett70.html.

Guests to the Stanford Athletic Hall of Fame Room will see a wide variety of historic trophies. On December 31, 1996, Stanford Football played in the Sun Bowl and defeated Michigan State 38-0, in what was the most lopsided bowl game victory in Stanford's History. Their Championship Trophy lays on display aside Championship Trophies from The Blockbuster Bowl of 1993, the Bluebonnet Bowl of 1978 and the Sun Bowl of 1977.

Another quite significant day in Stanford Football history took place on November 22, 1924 during the Big Game (a yearly rivalry between Stanford and Cal Football, which started in 1892). Stanford trailed 20-6 with five minutes left on the game clock. After a spectacular two touchdowns, Stanford managed to tie the ball game, allowing both Stanford and Cal to continue with their undefeated seasons. The Big Game of 1924 is considered by many as the greatest of all Big Games, contributing to the spectacular first season of Head Coach Glenn "Pop" Warner. Pop Warner's football is proudly on display as a reminder of that day.

Pop Warner coached Stanford from 1924-1932. During his first season, the Cardinal went 7-1-1, was Pacific Coast Conference Champions and made it to the Rose Bowl. During his career, Warner coached All-Americans like Jim Lawson, Ernie Nevers, Ted Shipkey, Seraphim Post, Don Robesky, and many others. His teams played in three Rose Bowls, were National Champions in an unbeaten 1926 season, were 3-time Conference Champions, and maintained the 2nd longest unbeaten streak in Stanford history. Warner finished his Stanford career with a record of 71-17.

Aside from his coaching career at Stanford, Warner is perhaps most generally recognized for the Pop Warner Youth Football League he started in 1929. Amidst other achievements, Warner is accredited to many innovations in college football, such as the spiral punt, the 3-point stance, the screen play, single and double wing formations, numbering players jerseys and the use of shoulder and thigh pads. He is often regarded as one of the all time great college coaches.

The Hall of Fame Room is divided by sport and each area has flooring that matches the playing surface for the sport(s) represented. The football area is made of Astroturf with hash-marks to resemble an actual football field. "The Floor of the swimming and water polo exhibit looks and feels like the floor of a pool," says Maggie Kimball, Stanford's archivist. The pool flooring also represents diving, crew, sailing and synchronized swimming. Other areas in the Hall of Fame Room include tennis; basketball and volleyball; baseball, softball, track and field, field hockey and golf; and gymnastics and wrestling.

The Bernhard Theater is a wonderful way to relive the many glorious moments from Stanford Athletic history. Whether it is footage from past victories or clips about coaches, players and fans, when seen on the screen in Bernhard Theater, you are reminded of why Stanford Athletics is the best collegiate athletic program in the nation.

Visitors to the Hall of Fame Room should check with the docent at the front desk for film and room availability. The Bernhard Theater has been used for select special events and sometimes serves as a team meeting area.

The Sydney and Theodore Rosenberg Stanford Athletic Hall of Fame Room offers a vast collection of memorabilia from the rich heritage of Stanford Athletics. Glass Displays showcase individual and team trophies; framed individual and team photographs; athletic sweaters, jackets, uniforms and other equipment; programs; game tickets; and many other items. For information on how to donate items and keep the Hall of Fame tradition alive see the tab marked "Donations" at the top of the page. For Hall of Fame Room hours, location and directions click "Visitor Information."