Louisiana’s Sports Hall of Fame Opens

A permanent location to house historic artifacts and memorable profiles of players was only a dream for so long.

Now that dream is a reality.

The ribbon was officially cut on the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in Natchitoches on Friday afternoon.

It is no coincidence that the opening will tie into an induction ceremony for great athletes from our state on Saturday night.

Those who will be inducted this year are Shaquille O' Neal, Ervin Johnson; tennis greats Chanda Rubin and Anna Koll; football players Tommy Hodson and Kevin Mawae; jockey Ronald Ardoin; and legendary basketball coach Ed Tuohy.

The Hall of Fame sits in a $23 million, 27,500-square-foot building.

It is located at 500 Front Street in Natchitoches.