The Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame grew to 159 members with the Class of 2014 inductions of Ira Silberman, of Diversified Products, and the late Bob Zide, of Zide’s Sport Shop.
The two were inducted on April 29 at the 59th Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Indian Wells, CA.
The careers of Silberman and Zide, the founder of Zide’s Sport Shop in Marietta, Ohio were celebrated during the Induction Ceremony dinner, which took place during the 50th Annual National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA) Management Conference and 16th Annual Team Dealer Summit.
“It was wonderful for Ira Silberman and Bob Zide, two leaders and legends in our industry, to receive such a tremendous honor,” said Ken Meehan, NSGA Chairman of the Board and president of Dunham’s Sports. “They did so much during their careers to make our industry better. The support from fellow Hall of Fame members, family members, friends and industry peers helped make this a truly special evening.”
Silberman spent 27 years with Diversified Products and led its effort to create a multi-product company for the in-home use of exercise equipment. Silberman was the inventor or co-inventor of more than 35 U.S. and/or foreign patents for exercise and sporting goods equipment. Silberman was unable to attend the ceremony but he did send a video to personally thank NSGA members. Former Diversified Products colleague Jim Hoff accepted the Hall of Fame award on Silberman’s behalf.
Zide founded Zide’s Sport Shop in 1958 and turned his passion for sports into a commitment to athletes and their teams that continues today. He was the first team dealer in the country to individually fit football helmets and shoulder pads on players from teams at all levels in Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Zide passed away in 2003 but 10 members of his family attended the induction ceremony, which included a video tribute to his life and career, an introduction by Fran Davis of Twin City Knitting and an induction speech by Zide’s son John.
Seven members of the Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame were in attendance Curt Mueller (Mueller Sports Medicine, 2002), Conny Klimenko (Sevylor, Inc., 2005), Mickey Newsome (Hibbett Sports, 2007), Ron Kruse (Hayden’s Athletic, 2008), Hank Derleth (Ripon Athletic, 2009), Ted Stahl (GroupeSTAHL, 2011) and Randy Ruch (Schuylkill Valley Sports, 2012).
Bob Dickman (BSN Sports) was also honored for his service as Hall of Fame Committee Chairman as his four-year term came to an end. Dickman was presented with a plaque from newly elected Hall of Fame Chairman Cathy Pryor (Hibbett Sports). Bruce Ullery (MC Sports) will inherit Pryor’s spot as Hall of Fame Vice Chairman.
About the Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame
NSGA created the Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame in 1955 to honor sporting goods pioneers, innovators and leaders and to recognize and encourage continued excellence in the industry. Since the first induction in 1956, there have been 159 men and women inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Inductees for the Hall of Fame are nominated and selections are made by the Hall of Fame Committee, which is made up of representatives from all segments of the industry manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers/dealers and agents. For more information on the Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame, please visit www.nsga.org/halloffame.
