DETROIT – The Michigan Sports Hall of Fame has inducted its 2025 Class at an event in the Sound Board at MotorCity Casino Hotel in Detroit.
- Chris Chelios
- Mark Dantonio
- David Dombrowski
- John Lowe (tentative)
- Jason Richardson Sr.
- Claressa Shields
- Rasheed Wallace
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Former Michigan State Spartans head football coach Mark Dantonio was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame, recognizing his impactful tenure at the university.
“It’s extremely humbling,” Dantonio said. “I always say it’s a program award. My players, my coaches, our staff, the administration — all of those people had something to do with this.”
Reflecting on his time at Michigan State, Dantonio highlighted his favorite memory: celebrating his 110th win with his players in the locker room at Northwestern.
“Every one of those players who helped us along the way from 2007 through 2019 are a part of that,” Dantonio said.
Dantonio also praised the current direction of the Spartan football program under new head coach Mel Tucker’s successor, coach Pat Fitzgerald.
“I think coach Fitzgerald will do an outstanding job,” Dantonio said. “He’s an old school guy. He knows the league, he knows the Midwest, he’s an excellent recruiter, and he brings a lot of energy.”
When asked if he had any advice for Fitzgerald, Dantonio encouraged him to “dream big.”
Dantonio said he slept well before the induction ceremony.
“This isn’t like a game, so I slept fine,” Dantonio said.
Former Detroit Tigers General Manager and President David Dombrowski was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame, celebrating his impactful 15-year tenure with the team.
“It’s exciting,” Dombrowski said. “I had a lot of great memories here over 15 years with the people I worked with. It’s a wonderful evening with a lot of emotion attached to it.”
Known for taking bold moves, Dombrowski discussed the difference in baseball strategies today.
“Every organization is somewhat different,” Dombrowski said. “Some take bigger swings, some take smaller ones. But it’s always important to try to make your club as good as you can and not be afraid to make moves if they help you win a championship.”
Reflecting on memorable trades, Dombrowski highlighted the acquisition of Miguel Cabrera as a pivotal moment.
“One of the best players in recent history that was a big-time period,” Dombrowski said.
He also mentioned the Max Scherzer trade and other key acquisitions that helped shape the franchise.
Asked about the looming expiration of the collective bargaining agreement, Dombrowski said that’s beyond his scope.
“I’m focused on trying to win in ’26 with our organization,” Dombrowski said. “Hopefully, they get something settled at the end of the year.”
Dombrowski, the current president of baseball operations for the Philadelphia Phillies, also shared how he and his team kept major trades secret.
“You emphasize it to your people, there’s usually nothing to be gained by others knowing what you’re doing,” Dombrowski said. “Sometimes that group is very small. It’s important to keep it quiet because if they don’t, they ruin it for everybody.”
Dombrowski recalled the satisfaction of pulling off a big trade quietly.
“You feel some self-accomplishment for the organization,” Dombrowski said.
When asked about seeing Detroit’s sports teams thriving across all four major leagues, Dombrowski expressed excitement.
“It’s great to see,” he said. “We were here for such a long time. It feels good for people to be experiencing that. It’s great for the community.”
Detroit Red Wings legend Chris Chelios was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame, honoring his remarkable career with the team.
“I’ve spent 20 years here. It’s a great honor,” Chelios said. “Two Stanley Cups, nothing but great memories. The Illich family, how they treated me, Kenny Holland — I found a home.”
Chelios reflected on some of his favorite moments, including championship parades and his popular Detroit chili bar.
“One of the greatest moments was when we won the Stanley Cup in 2002, and all the Tigers were up on the balcony with us, spraying everybody with champagne,” Chelios said.
Looking at Detroit’s current sports scene, Chelios praised the city’s resurgence.
“The Lions have struggled for so many years, but to see what the coach has done there — it’s great,” Chelios said. “Detroit and Chicago are two of the greatest sports cities in the country.”
Chelios also shared his admiration for Chicago sports teams, including the Bulls, Cubs, and White Sox, while acknowledging his love for both cities.
When asked about the Detroit Pistons and their general manager, Steve Eman, Chelios said, “I would never question what Steve Eman does. There’s not a harder working individual. It’s a process.”
Chelios expects the Pistons to make exciting moves at the trade deadline.
“If they make a few moves like Kenny Holland used to, it could be a good run for them,” Chelios said.
On the topic of the Chicago Bears’ stadium situation, Chelios was blunt.
“Absolute garbage,” Chelios said. “They’re the Chicago Bears. There’s got to be a deal to keep them in the city.”
Spartans basketball national champion Jason Richardson Sr. was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame, celebrating his impactful career with the team.
“It’s a great honor to be inducted,” Richardson said. “It shows that you did something in the sport, you did contribute to it. Just an amazing feeling.”
Reflecting on the 2000 championship team, Richardson recalled the bond and focus that led to their success.
“The guys came together, accomplishing a goal. We always stayed focused on winning the championship,” Richardson said. “That’s something I’ll cherish the rest of my life.”
Richardson also spoke proudly about his son, Jace, who followed in his footsteps at Michigan State and now plays professionally.
“It’s amazing. I’m just proud of him,” Richardson said. “It’s still surreal the path he’s gone to become an NBA player.”
Looking ahead to the current Michigan State basketball season, Richardson is optimistic.
“The sky’s the limit,” Richardson said. “It starts with coach Tom Izzo. They’ve got a great young core playing well.”
Richardson highlighted key players, including Jaxson Kohler, Carson Cooper, and Jeremy Fears.
“They just got a great team. They’re going to do some amazing things this year,” Richardson said.
Pistons NBA champion Rasheed Wallace was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame, celebrating his impactful career with the team.
“It’s awesome. It’s a privilege,” Wallace said. “I’m glad and thankful to be here. This is a very special moment to go with a special city.”
Wallace credited his attitude and playing style for connecting with Detroit’s blue-collar “Going to Work” spirit.
“That embodied the Detroit attitude about the hard hat working, blue collars,” Wallace said. “That’s what made us mesh together.”
On the current Pistons roster, Wallace praised the young players’ progress.
“So far so good. Just got to keep it up,” Wallace said. “It’s still a long way left in the season.”
Wallace noted the team’s defensive focus aligns with the Pistons’ traditional style.
“Coach tries to hang his hat on defense, and that’s the same thing we did,” Wallace said. “They do have a good defensive team.”
Reflecting on his time with the Pistons, Wallace shared fond memories of team bonding. “A lot of the road trips, offseason get-togethers, celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, and doing family-oriented things,” he said.
Wallace recalled his surprise at joining the Pistons mid-season. “I thought I was going to be in Atlanta for the rest of that season,” Wallace said. “When the GM told me about the move, I said, ‘No problem.’”
Wallace admitted he didn’t expect the team’s championship success right away.
“I didn’t think we would win it until probably game two of the Eastern Conference Finals,” Wallace said.
Wallace also discussed his famous guarantee during the playoffs. “Everybody had my back,” Wallace said. “I was the megaphone for everybody. I just said what they felt.”
Flint native and future boxing Hall of Famer Claressa Shields was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame, celebrating her remarkable amateur career.
“To be a Hall of Famer just off my amateur career alone and not even my professional career is super crazy to me,” Shields said. “I’m honored and happy.”
Shields, who won two Olympic gold medals and lost only once as an amateur, described her amateur career as nearly undefeated. “I did not lose to her,” Shields said.
Shields has built on that success with a strong professional career, frequently fighting in Michigan.
“I’m very loved and well supported,” Shields said. “I continue to sell arenas.”
Shields is preparing for a major fight on Feb. 22 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, where she will face Franchón Crews-Dezurn in a highly anticipated rematch.
“It’s going to be a fire fight,” Shields said. “All the belts will be on the line.”
Reflecting on her journey, Shields credited God’s timing for her success.
“I’m thankful for the $8 million, thankful for Celita Promotions, and ready to keep fighting,” Shields said.
Shields expressed pride in representing both Flint and Detroit, highlighting Detroit’s role as a vibrant sports hub.
“Detroit is right in the middle, where you can get to Chicago, New York, Atlanta,” Shields said. “It’s a fun, exciting sports hub.”
On being inducted into the Hall of Fame while still active, Shields said it feels different from winning a world title.
“I expect to win a world championship fight, but to be a Hall of Famer feels way different,” Shields said.
Looking ahead to her February fight, Shields promised a strong performance. “It may be my best performance,” Shields said. “Fran brings out a different type of fighter in me.”