SAN DIEGO (March 16, 2017) – The Breitbard Hall of Fame, which was founded by the legendary Bob Breitbard to recognize significant athletic achievement in San Diego, will be relocating from Balboa Park to Petco Park. The San Diego Hall of Champions will continue to host its numerous awards, recognition & community programs in a seamless transition for San Diegans to enjoy for years to come.
Taking the Hall of Champions’ place at the Federal Building in Balboa Park will be Comic-Con International which plans to use the facility as the Comic-Con Center for Popular Culture. “Even as we prepare for our sister show WonderCon in Anaheim this month, we are excited to be part of this announcement. The Hall of Champions has our deepest appreciation in helping us to achieve this new chapter in Comic-Con history. This center will provide a year round interactive celebration of the innumerable aspects of popular art,” said a Comic-Con spokesperson.
“My father would be thrilled with this opportunity to move the Breitbard Hall of Fame to Petco Park to usher in the next phase of the Hall of Champions,” said Gayle Klusky, Bob’s daughter and Hall board member. “Dad set out to better San Diego and inspire San Diegans to reach their potential, and this new model will only allow us to more effectively fulfill and advance our mission and perpetuate his legacy.”
Many of the historical items in the museum, including “Bob’s office,” which included amazing sports pieces, will be housed at the San Diego History Center in Balboa Park.
The Breitbard Hall of Fame, consisting of 153 inductee plaques, will be located in the Western Metal Supply Co. Building on the main concourse at Petco Park. This space is a high-traffic passageway for thousands of fans each game, connecting the seating bowl and the Padres Hall of Fame presented by Sony. Construction is expected to be completed during the 2017 Padres season. A conceptual rendering by Morgan Design is attached.
“Bob Breitbard was one of San Diego’s greatest sports leaders,” said Padres Executive Chairman Ron Fowler, who also serves as Chairman of the Board of the Hall of Champions. “The San Diego Hall of Champions is an important community asset and this move positions the organization for a bright, sustainable future. The Padres are glad to welcome the Breitbard Hall of Fame to Petco Park.”
The Hall’s Salute to the Champions, Sportsmen’s Banquet, awards programs & events, and engagement with numerous community organizations will continue. Additionally, the Hall has released a new app which chronicles the thousands of awards the organization has bestowed over the years to effectively recognize its honorees in a more modern, virtual, and interactive manner.
ABOUT THE HALL OF CHAMPIONS
The Hall is dedicated to recognizing and celebrating outstanding local athletic achievement and providing sports programming to the community. The Hall was launched by the Breitbard Athletic Foundation, which was founded in 1946 by the legendary Bob Breitbard to recognize significant athletic achievement in San Diego. Through its awards and recognition programs and vigilant focus on the community of San Diego and its betterment, the Hall is devoted to motivating and inspiring youth of all ages to reach their full potential. For more information, please visit www.sdhoc.com