Honor the Heroes of the Game, Preserve Its History, Promote its Values & Celebrate Excellence Everywhere
The club meets each Monday from early September through mid-May. Members arrive beginning at 9:30 a.m. Lunch is served at approximately 11:00 a.m., the program begins at 12:00 p.m., and concludes at 1:00 p.m.
Under this program with the Pro Football Hall of Fame, each member of the club will be entitled to free museum admission for one year, Sept. 1-Aug. 31. Also, Malone University and Walsh University offer free admission to their athletic events with your membership card.
Luncheon Club meets each Monday at: Tozzi's on 12th (4210 12th Street NW) 330-477-7515
Memberships for the season remain just $40.00 and are on sale before and after the Monday programs.
Jim Lindesmith, Club Secretary at 330-452-6138 or R.J. Van Almen, [email protected] or 330-685-4605
Pro Football Hall of Fame Luncheon Club c/o Pro Football Hall of Fame 2121 George Halas Drive NW Canton, OH 44708
or
To enjoy your membership immediately, you may fill out your application at your first luncheon and give it to Jim Lindesmith, Club Secretary along with a check for $40.00 payable to the Hall of Fame Luncheon Club.
Enjoy your membership in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Luncheon Club.
September
October
November
December
January
February - May
One of the main reasons the Pro Football Hall of Fame is in Canton is because of the community spirit and support. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, many cities across the country expressed interest in having a Hall of Fame devoted to professional football. Canton was the only community that put together an impressive fund-raising drive. Nearly $400,000 was raised to have the Hall of Fame built.
In 1962, Hall of Fame Chairman, Earl Schreiber made a trip to Dayton, Ohio to pick up a jersey for the Hall of Fame. While there, he was asked to attend the Agonis Luncheon Club meeting. Impressed by the luncheon, Mr. Schreiber, upon his return to Canton asked a group of local businessmen to attend the next Agonis Luncheon Club meeting. Among those attending were: Hank Critchfield, Cy Burich, a Dayton writer, Lin Houston, Red Ryan, Joe Cross, Harry Van Almen, Wilbur Jacobs, Peach Thomas, and Bob Schreiber. They made the trip to learn about organizing a similar type of club in Canton, Ohio.
The first meeting of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Luncheon Club was held at Benders Restaurant in downtown Canton in 1963. Soon thereafter, the venue was switched to Lakeshore Restaurant. Membership grew quickly and after using Topp’s Chalet for a short time, the meetings moved to its current site at Tozzi's on 12th, just a few miles from the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame Luncheon Club, with a membership of more than 500 is considered to be the largest of its kind in the entire country. Meetings are held each Monday from mid-September through the middle of May. The national prominence of the Hall of Fame, coupled with the strong support of the Club, continues to produce a remarkable list of national speakers on a weekly basis.
A club that knows no strangers, members enjoy fellowship, good food, and interesting speakers. Couple that with the enthusiasm of the member audience and for sports fans, the Hall of Fame Luncheon Club is THE place to be on Mondays during the season.
When the Luncheon Club was formed, the bylaws stipulated that the purpose of the Club was to help support the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Originally, support was reflected by members serving as drivers during Hall of Fame Weekend. The Club’s next project focused on devoting a portion of the membership dues to paying for the Hall of Famers’ rings each year.
Currently, the Pro Football Hall of Fame Luncheon Club has a new cause to show support for the Hall of Fame. The Club will contribute $50,000 over a five-year period to the Pro Football Hall of Fame's national fundraising campaign. In addition, part of the proceeds from the weekly meal sales is used to sponsor the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s “Senior Day” (62 and older) at the museum.
Aside from showing support to the Hall of Fame, this sponsorship also attracts attention to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Luncheon Club through media coverage of this splendid event.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame Luncheon Club continues to contribute its support to the Hall of Fame museum while offering first-rate programs each and every week to its members.
Malone University and Walsh University offer free admission to all athletic events for Luncheon Club Members.
In addition, each member of the Luncheon Club receives an annual pass that will allow the individual unlimited free admission to the Pro Football Hall of Fame throughout the year.