The 45th annual International Sports Heritage Association (ISHA) conference, hosted by the World of Little League Museum, will open Tuesday, Oct. 20 in Williamsport, Pa.
The conference brings together members of the sports heritage industry for three-plus days of educational sessions and networking. This year’s conference is titled Ahead of the Curve, and kicks off with a pre-conference trip to the Penn State All-Sports Museum and tour of Beaver Stadium on Tuesday, Oct. 20.
The conference officially begins Wednesday morning at the Genetti Hotel and Suites with a welcome orientation and an opening session covering museum educational programs, which is the first of 10 different sessions taking place covering three days.
ISHA delegates will also be treated to three impressive guest speakers as well, including 18-year Major League Baseball veteran pitcher Mike Mussina, NASA Astronaut and Little League Hall of Excellence member Dr. Story Musgrave, and 2014 Cumberland, R.I., Little League baseball manager David Belisle.
“Each August, Williamsport welcomes 16 teams and tens of thousands of fans from around the world to the Little League Baseball World Series,” Lance Van Auken, Executive Director of the World of Little League Museum, said. “But our area has much to offer year-around. We can’t wait to show off our Museum, the World Series Complex, and the greater Williamsport area, to our friends in ISHA.”
During the Evening of Champions Dinner on Thursday night, ISHA will honor Dr. Randon Jerris as its W.R. “Bill” Schroeder Distinguished Service Award winner. Presented periodically, the Schroeder Award is the highest honor presented by the International Sports Heritage Association and is given to individuals for meritorious service of lasting nature in the sports heritage industry and their communities. Jerris is the senior managing director of the United States Golf Association.
“Dr. Jerris has distinguished himself as a leader of the USGA museum and as a golf historian,” said ISHA President Marjorie Snyder. “His passion, dedication, and expertise transformed the USGA Museum and has positioned it as model to which we can all aspire. I can think of no one who is more deserving of this honor.”
Besides the educational sessions taking place, Conference attendees will get a chance to take batting practice at the world famous Lamade Stadium and take a cruise on the Hiawatha Riverboat.
Conference sponsors include Cambridge Seven Associates, Cortina Productions, Design and Production Incorporated, University Products, Axiell, The MediaPreserve, HealyKohler Design, Peter Hyde Design, At Last Communications, Sparta Pewter, and the Penn State All-Sports Museum.