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Hotelier Mr. John Q. Hammons Honored as 2002 Missouri Sports Legend by Missouri Sports Hall of Fame

SPRINGFIELD, Mo.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–March 13, 2002–John Q. Hammons Hotels, Inc. (AMEX:JQH) proudly announces that Mr. John Q. Hammons is the 2002 recipient of the esteemed Missouri Sports Legend Award, the highest level of recognition bestowed on an individual by the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.
Mr. Hammons, founder of the nation's leading independent builder, developer, owner and manager of upscale full-service hotels, resorts and suites, recently was honored at the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame's annual Enshrinement Ceremonies held in Springfield, Mo.
The Missouri Sports Legend Award was established in 1999 by the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame's Board of Trustees to recognize the elite of Missouri athletes, coaches, broadcasters and contributors. Mr. Hammons joins a stellar line up of Sports Legend Award recipients, which includes Stan Musial, Payne Stewart, Len Dawson, Jack Buck, Bob Broeg, Don Faurot and Norm Stewart.
The Missouri Sports Legend Award honors the elite in Missouri sports, and Mr. Hammons' continued positive impact on Missouri sports earns him a well-deserved place among the Sports Legends. Mr. Hammons is one of Missouri sports' biggest supporters, both through his substantial financial contributions and dedication as a fan, said Mr. Jerald Andrews, Missouri Sports Hall of Fame president and executive director.
In recognition of Mr. Hammons' significant contribution to Missouri Sports, his personal career is chronicled and preserved to serve as an inspiration to all who visit the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame facility in Springfield. In addition, a bronze bust fashioned by sculptor Harry Weber of Bowling Green, Mo., depicts Mr. Hammons' likeness and is displayed along the Legends Walk located on the grounds of the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. Mr. Hammons also is featured as the subject of a painting by sports artist Dayne Dudley of Tulsa, Okla., from which a limited edition print was published.

History of Mr. Hammons' Contribution to Sports

In addition to his extensive contributions to the U.S. hospitality industry over the last 40 years in his role as a leading hotelier, Mr. Hammons' contributions to sports in Missouri and around the country are numerous.

— In 1976, he provided the funding for the construction of the 10,000-seat Hammons Student Center on the campus of Southwest Missouri State University, which serves as home to the Bears and Lady Bears athletic teams.
— In 1989, Mr. Hammons developed Highland Springs Country Club in Springfield, one of the premier facilities in the Midwest and home to a Robert Trent Jones II golf course. Through the John Q. Hammons Foundation, Highland Springs Country Club serves as host to the annual Price Cutter Charity Championship on the PGA's BUY.COM TOUR. Over the tournament's 11-year history, it has given more than a million dollars to children's charities throughout the Ozarks.
— In 1990, he developed Verdae Greens Golf Club in Greenville, S.C., and in 1998, the Tiffany Greens Golf Club in Kansas City, Mo. Mr. Hammons is credited with keeping the PGA'S SENIOR TOUR in Kansas City, and the TD Waterhouse Championship presented by Bayer-Advantage is played at Tiffany Greens each year.
— In 1992, Mr. Hammons was inducted into the Missouri Basketball Hall of Fame.
— In 1994, he donated the land and building to house the existing Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in Springfield. Regarded as one of the elite Halls of Fame in the country, the facility features the John Q. Hammons Library.
— In 2000, Mr. Hammons was inducted into the Missouri Valley Conference Hall of Fame.
— Currently, Mr. Hammons is working to bring minor league baseball and hockey to Springfield.

About Missouri Sports Hall of Fame

The Missouri Sports Hall of Fame is operated as a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit organization. The facility is located in Springfield, Mo., and is comprised of more than 22,000 square feet of museum display space; a 117-seat auditorium; a library that houses memorabilia, photos and other items belonging to founder Mr. John Q. Hammons; and the Legends of Missouri Gifts & Collectibles Shop. The museum's purpose is to recognize Missouri sports legends and to inspire Missouri's sports future through a variety of displays, exhibits, interactive games and several sports functions and activities throughout the year. The Hall of Fame is open Monday – Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. For more information, contact the museum at 417/889-3100.

About John Q. Hammons Hotels, Inc.

Publicly traded on the American Stock Exchange (AMEX:JQH), Springfield, Mo.-based John Q. Hammons Hotels, Inc. is the nation's leading independent builder, developer, owner and manager of upscale full-service hotels, resorts and suites including: Embassy Suites, Renaissance, Marriott, Radisson, Crowne Plaza, Residence Inn, Homewood Suites, Holiday Inn and Hampton Inn & Suites brands. With 56 hotels strategically located near demand generators, such as state capitals, universities, airports, corporate headquarters or office parks in secondary and tertiary markets, John Q. Hammons Hotels' properties are dominant in their markets. The company's focus is capitalizing on positive operating fundamentals in the upscale, full-service sector, converting existing hotels to franchise brands and selling mature assets, while reinvesting the proceeds and reducing debt.
Although John Q. Hammons Hotels is not developing new hotels, Mr. Hammons has personally developed three projects that opened in 2001. John Q. Hammons Hotels manages all of the properties developed by Mr. Hammons' private company.

Posted by on February 11, 2006.

Categories: Openings

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