Sky Sox Owner Dave Elmore to be Inducted into PCL Hall of Fame
The Pacific Coast League announced today that Sky Sox owner Dave Elmore will be inducted into the PCL Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2014. Joining him in the class are former players Lou Almada, Dave Barbee, and Wally Hood. Elmore becomes just the 11th executive to be inducted into the PCL Hall of Fame which was founded in 1942 and is now comprised of 100 members with the induction of the Class of 2014.
One of the most respected owners in Minor League Baseball, Dave Elmore has been a major influence in the growth and advancement of the Pacific Coast League since he bought his first franchise in 1981 when it was operating in Honolulu, HI as the Hawaii Islanders. That team was later moved to Colorado Springs in 1988 and was renamed the Sky Sox where they have played ever since. He is also founder of the Elmore Sports Group, a sports and entertainment company started in 1969 and, at one point, comprised of seven Minor League Baseball and hockey teams, in addition to companies specializing in facility management, hospitality, special events and concessions. It is one of the largest ownership groups in Minor League Baseball, with over a million fans annually visiting their sports franchises. In 33 years of ownership, Elmore teams have made the playoffs 61 times and won 19 championships in five different professional leagues.
Elmore has been a member of the PCL Board of Directors since 1981 and has served on the league's Executive Committee from 1988 to present. He has also served on the Joint PBA Committee of Minor League Baseball and on the MiLB Board of Trustees. He is an avid supporter of the United States Olympic program and was inducted into the Colorado Springs Sports Hall of Fame in 2010 in recognition of his contributions to the city's sports history.
"We are truly blessed and honored to work for and learn from one of the best baseball men this game has ever produced at any level", said Sky Sox President and General Manager Tony Ensor. "His respect for the game, genuine care for the people and families who work for him, and his undying commitment that his teams make a significant difference in all our communities make him the best owner in baseball. We could not be more proud to work for this truly great man."