On Friday, December 10th, the Board of Directors of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame announced that Gene Hallman will be the recipient of the 2022 Distinguished American Sportsman Award. Hallman, who serves as President and CEO of Bruno Event Team and the Executive Director of the Alabama Sports Foundation, will officially receive the award during the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony on May 7, 2022.

Keep reading for more details.

What is The Distinguished American Sportsman Award?

According to the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, the Distinguished American Sports award is, “an honor given to an individual (in- or out-of-state) who has made lifetime contributions to humanity and sports.” The special award was created (along with the Distinguished Alabama Sportsman award) by the Board of Directors of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 1986.

Previous recipients of the Distinguished American Sportsman award include:

Bob Hope, Entertainer (1988)
President George H.W. Bush (1992)
Roy Kramer, SEC Commissioner (2003)
Mike Slive, SEC Commissioner (2015)
Ron Froehlich, Honorary Life Chairman of The World Games (2015)

Meet Gene Hallman, 2022 Distinguished American Sportsman

The recipient of the 2022 Distinguished American Sportsman is none other than Gene Hallman, the CEO, President and Co-Founder of Bruno Event Team. Founded by Gene Hallman and Ronnie Bruno in 1995, Bruno Event Team has grown into one of the largest sports event management companies in the country with 80+ employees in nine office throughout the United States—and Bermuda! Bruno Event Team manages many notable sporting events, including:

Magic City Classic
Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama
US Women’s Open, US Senior Open and other golf tournaments on the PGA Tour
SEC Baseball Tournament
WBC Heavyweight Championship Title Fights
SEC Gymnastics Championship
SEC Women’s Golf Championship
SWAC Football Championship
Davis Cup
Fed Cup
The 1996 Olympic Soccer Tournament
And more!

In addition, Bruno Event Team is assisting with the management of The World Games, which will be held in Birmingham during the summer of 2022.

“I am incredibly humbled and appreciative of this award; it is easily the most significant recognition I’ve received in my business career. I consider the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame to be one of the finest hall of fames in the country. It is a true ‘who’s who’ of American sports, and to be associated with that is an incredible honor.
When I came to town 30 years ago, I didn’t know a single person. I wouldn’t have been able to achieve any success without the help of all the thousands of volunteers, sponsors, officials, employees, interns and other people I have worked with over those years. I am extremely appreciative of everyone that helped me feel at home in Birmingham.”
Gene Hallman, CEO, President and Co-Founder, Bruno Event Team

regions tradition — The first sporting event managed by Gene Hallman, the Regions Tradition, has raised more than $20M for Alabama charities as it approaches its 30th anniversary in 2022. Pictured here is Nick Saban at the 2021 Regions Tradition. Photo via Nathan Watson for Bham Now

In addition to his recognition by the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, Gene Hallman has received a number of professional awards throughout his career, including:

2020 – Top 40 Under 40 All-Stars: The Ultimate Top 40 Class by the Birmingham Business Journal
2016 – 205 Influential Executives by the Metro Birmingham Business
2016 – Recognized as one of Birmingham’s Most Influential Leaders by the Birmingham Business Journal
2015 – Client Spotlight by the Birmingham Business Journal
2014 – Recognized as one of Birmingham’s Most Influential Leaders by the Birmingham Business Journal
2013 – Recognized as one of Birmingham’s Most Influential Leaders by the Birmingham Business Journal
2011 – Inducted into Birmingham Golf Association Hall of Fame
2010 – Top 40 Under 40 Alumni Hall of Fame; Birmingham Business Journal
2005 – Community Leadership Award; City of Leeds
2004 – Men of Substance and Style; Birmingham Magazine
2003 – Alabama Man of the Year; March of Dimes
1999 – Top Ten Up and Coming Leaders for Birmingham Region; Birmingham News
1994-1999 – Top Twelve Most Influential Sports Leaders in Alabama; Birmingham Post-Herald
1999 – Vestavia Hills Rotary Club Celebrity Roast Honoree
1998 – Outstanding Community Sales & Marketing Award; Birmingham Sales and Marketing Execs
1997 – Best in Business Rising Star Award; Birmingham Business Journal
1996 – Alabama Marketer of the Year; America Marketing Association
1996 – Birmingham Man of the Year; Birmingham Business Journal
1995-1996 – Birmingham’s Top 10 Most Influential People; Birmingham Business Journal
1995 – Birmingham Person of the Year; Birmingham Magazine
1995 – Communicator of the Year; International Association of Business Communicators
1995 – Top 40 Under 40; Birmingham Business Journal

Gene Hallman will be formally recognized as the 2022 Distinguished American Sportsman along with the Class of 2022 inductees at the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony on May 7, 2022. Click here to learn more about the other inductees.