Purpose

1.    To formally recognize the achievements of those biathletes who have represented the United States at major international competitions or games.

2.    To formally recognize contribution, leadership and abilities of those individuals who participate in the development of biathlon, race organization or coaching in the United States.

3.    To formally recognize outstanding contributors to United States Biathlon, who are not necessarily from within the sport.

Therefore, there will be three categories of membership in the US Biathlon Association Hall of Fame: Athlete, Supporter/Organizer/Coach and Contributor.

Acknowledgement

The US Biathlon Hall of Fame shall be located within the National Office, where an acknowledgement of the achievements of the inductee shall be kept for public viewing.

Each inductee shall receive a certificate of induction, a citation of achievements, and an outline of the achievements attained.

The Regional Centers of Excellence shall receive a duplicate of the citation of achievements for public viewing.

Governance

The US Biathlon Chairman shall appoint a Hall of Fame Committee who reports directly to the Board of Directors.  The Hall of Fame Committee shall consist of not more than 5 members. The Executive Director of US Biathlon shall be an ex-officio member of the committee.

Induction

Members will be formally inducted into the Hall of Fame, the place and time to be determined by the Hall of Fame Committee.

 

Nomination Procedures

1.    Nominations shall be made in writing and must be filed with the Executive Director c/o the US Biathlon Association Office by April 30th of each year.  Each nomination must be accompanied by citation covering, in as great detail as possible, the biathlon accomplishments or the service record or both of the person nominated.  A 5” x 7” black and white photograph must be enclosed. 

2.    Nominations may originate from an individual, club, division, or by a member of the Hall of Fame Committee.

3.    The committee shall have the responsibility to ensure the integrity and quality of the Hall of Fame is maintained.  The number of members inducted in any one year shall be at the sole discretion of the committee.  The committee shall not be obligated to admit anyone in any given year.  The committee shall not be obligated to induct anyone in any given category.

4.    The Executive Director shall send out to each member of the committee, a copy of each nomination and recommendation received and all supporting material, together with the names of their respective nominators.  This shall be done as soon as possible but no longer than 30 days following the close of nominations.

5.    The committee shall present a list of proposed candidates for induction to be approved by the board of directors. 

6.    The US Biathlon Association Board of Directors is not obligated to accept the recommendations of the Awards and Recognition Committee, and may reject the recommendation or refer the same back to the Awards and Recognition Committee for review.

7.    A nomination shall be valid for a two-year period only.  There is no limit to the number of times a nomination may be submitted. 

8.    The Hall of Fame Committee shall submit a nomination to the Board of Directors only if a majority of the committee members vote in favor of the nomination. 

9.    Inductees shall be announced at the next meeting of the Board of Directors and details on the nomination shall be given to the meeting.

Removal

An inductee into the US Biathlon Hall of Fame may be expelled therefrom on any one or more of the following grounds:

a)    Contravention of the US Biathlon Constitution or any rules made thereunder;
b)    Conduct contrary to the standards of good moral behavior;
c)    Conduct contrary to the ethics of biathlon;
d)    Conviction for commission of an indictable offence under a Federal or State statute.

Athlete Category

Eligibility
The following criteria will be considered as a guideline to be eligible for nomination:

a)    Must have won at least three US Senior National Championship Gold medals, or must have won a medal at the Olympic Games, the World Championships, or World Junior Biathlon Championships while representing the United States.

Athlete candidates shall not be considered until after a three-year waiting period following retirement from major championship competition.

Outstanding Contributor Category

Eligibility
This award is provided at the discretion of the US Biathlon Association Hall of Fame Committee and Executive Committee. 

The outstanding contributor category is reserved for individuals that have through their actions raised the level of public awareness of biathlon.

Supporter/Organizer/Coach Category

The Supporter/Organizer/Coach Category shall be open to any individual who pioneered biathlon in the United States and/or has served or is serving biathlon as a coach, instructor, official, volunteer or a combination of these functions.

As a general guideline all nominees in this category must have served at least twenty years, although not necessarily consecutive.

Eligibility for Coaches
Must have developed champions and medalists at the National Championships, or medalist at the Olympic Games, World University Games, or World Championships.

Or

In the capacity of head coach of a club, must have graduated many biathletes to the national team and made a significant contribution to the propagation of biathlon in general.

Eligibility for Officials
Must have officiated at the Olympic Games, World Championships, and/or Junior World Championships on several different separate occasions.

Must have contributed to the development of the US officiating system.

Eligibility for Volunteers
Must have made a significant contribution to the propagation of the sport of biathlon in the USA in general and in a region in particular.

Consideration will be given to other contributions such as championship organization (national or international events); as well as the production of videos, films, books, manuals, etc.