Remember your grandmother’s wooden trunk at the foot of her bed? Or the custom-made chest of drawers handed down from one generation to another? We have a new display that we won’t part with, either.
A gorgeous display case, built to resemble lockers and made of Missouri Poplar, now graces the front lobby of the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. It made its debut on the weekend of Jan. 25 for the MSHOF Enshrinement Class of 2015 ceremony.
“We always wanted something where, when people walk in, there is an eye-pleasing display,” said Marty Willadsen, Vice President of Operations for the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. “We want to display an item of everybody inducted in the calendar year.”
The original design was by former MSHOF curator Jerry Vickery and modified by Willadsen to fit space and needs. Funds from the 2015 Fan Club membership will cover the cost.
Showcase Cabinets of Fair Grove crafted the spectacular case and assembled it on site. One neat touch included the addition of nostalgic, metal lockers in the center of the case.
Now hanging in the display are jerseys of St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Chris Carpenter, Kansas City Royals designated hitter Billy Butler, Missouri State baseball coach Keith Guttin, a jersey from the 1969 Missouri Tigers football team and a commemorative football from Kansas City Chiefs kicker Nick Lowery.
The display also is lighted and will soon include memorabilia from new inductees: Missouri State Lady Bears 1992 and 2001 Final Four teams, LPGA Tour golfer Cathy Reynolds and Patti Phillips, the CEO of the National Association of College Women Athletic Administrators.
By year’s end, the display could be yet another one of the Hall’s gems. More inductees are expected during the Sports Enthusiasts Luncheons and a Columbia Enshrinement ceremony.