The standard criteria of a nominee for the Sacramento Sports Hall of Fame is an athlete who has met the following criteria: 


1) Born or raised in the greater Sacramento area and attended a local high school. 

2) Distinguished themselves by earning superior accomplishments in their respective sport at multiple levels of competition during their careers.  Displaying this at both the amateur (high school, collegiate, Olympic) and professional level.   

3) Sustained success during their athletic careers displayed by cumulative statistics, awards and longevity in their respective sport. 

4) Representing themselves in a professional manner on and off the playing surface, and having a positive, ethical and moral code of conduct that exemplifies respectable behavior as well as being visible in the community; or having overcome a major life adversity.​​