Since 1951,
nearly 125 individuals have been inducted into the Hall
of Fame, including Henry Aaron, Bart Starr and Reggie
White; leaders such as legendary coaches Curly Lambeau,
Vince Lombardi and Al McGuire; and renowned announcers
from Earl Gillespie to Bob Uecker.
The other inductees
include basketball coach Dick Bennett, NFL star lineman
Mike Webster, Milwaukee Brewer Cecil Cooper, Milwaukee
Bucks owner Sen. Herb Kohl and sportsman Fred Miller.
Melges, dubbed
the “Wizard of Zenda” for his sailing exploits,
is recognized as one of the most successful competitive
sailors in history, with dozens of national and international
championships in many different classes.
Melges won
an Olympic gold medal in 1972 and bronze in 1964. He was
a two-time Star world champion (1978, 1979), a three-time
5.5 Meter World Champion (1967, 1973, 1983), a five-time
E-Scow National Champion (1965, 1969, 1978, 1979, 1983),
a seven-time Skeeter Ice Boat World Champion (1955, 1957,
1970, 1972, 1974, 1980, 1981) and a three-time Yachtsman
of the Year.
To cap off
his competitive career, he helped steer America3 to a
successful defense of the America’s Cup in 1992.