To qualify as a Sports Legend, the person must have an affiliation as a high school graduate or last high school of record, coach, staff, athletic director, or administrator from the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD). The following criteria have been established to identify as a Sports Legends for inclusion in the Sports Legends of Cleveland History Book:

• Sports Team or Individual (City/Senate Champion)
• Sports Team or Individual (City/Senate Runner-up)
• Sports Team or Individual (District Champion)
• Sports Team or Individual (District Runner-up)
• Sports Team or Individual (Regional Champion)
• Sports Team or Individual (Regional Runner-up)
• Sports Team or Individual (State Champion)
• Sports Team or Individual (State Runner-up)
• Collegiate Athlete
• Professional Athlete
• International Athlete

Alumni Association Involvement

• Each Alumni Association can select a maximum of three Sports Legends to be inducted (i.e., athletes, coaches, or administrators)
• Each Alumni Association should make efforts to select a female athlete for induction (if possible)
• Each Alumni Association to submit photos (if available) and a bio for each Inductee