USA Triathlon Announces 13th Hall of Fame Class and USA Triathlon Foundation “A Celebration of Sport” Gala in Milwaukee on Aug. 7
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by USA Triathlon
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - USA Triathlon today proudly announces the 13th induction class of the USA Triathlon Hall of Fame, honoring five individuals whose extraordinary achievements and lasting contributions have shaped the sport and inspired generations of athletes.
The USA Triathlon Hall of Fame Class XIII includes multisport legends Paul Martin, Ellen Hart, Kenny Souza, Colleen Cannon, and Graham Fraser — each recognized for their excellence in competition, trailblazing spirit, and dedication to the growth of triathlon in the United States and beyond.
"The Hall of Fame Committee is both pleased and inspired to announce our new class of inductees—representing some of the finest athletes, coaches, and contributors in the history of multisport," said Steve Sutherland, USA Triathlon Chair of the Hall of Fame Committee. "The selection process was especially challenging this year due to the exceptional quality of the nominees. With the induction of these remarkable individuals, we proudly honor their lasting contributions and the profound impact they have made on our sport."
The USA Triathlon Hall Fame serves to recognize, honor and commemorate those individuals and groups who have demonstrated excellence in every aspect of multisport — thereby inspiring others to elevate their own performance, participation and community involvement. Founded in 2008, it has recognized the best performances and contributions in the sport’s nearly 50-year history.
Inductees will be honored at the 2025 USA Triathlon Foundation Gala, presented by TicketSocket, scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 7 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, at Discovery World.
Held in conjunction with the 2025 USA Triathlon Olympic and Sprint Distance National Championships, the Foundation’s “Celebration of Sport” celebrates the achievements of the USA Triathlon Foundation, which has provided millions of dollars in grants to organizations and individuals in pursuit of its mission and three philanthropic priorities — Encourage youth participation; Inspire pathways to access and inclusion; and Ignite Olympic/Paralympic dreams — to create a healthier United States through the sport of triathlon.
"TicketSocket is excited to enter 2025 with a multi-year extension on its existing USAT Sponsorship and Registration Partnership Agreements," said Kai Blanche, President and Chief Financial Officer at TicketSocket. "TicketSocket continues to grow its relationships in the Race Registration community and it all starts with supporting the staff, athletes and foundations at the National and Federation level through USAT. We look forward to being a presenting sponsor for the 5th year in a row at this years Gala."
The evening will kick-off with a patio reception, followed by the award ceremony for the USA Triathlon Hall of Fame Class XII inductees. In addition, awards will be presented to the Heart of the Race Director and THE ALEXANDER, which is presented to a collegiate athlete who excels both on the course and in the classroom.
“We are thrilled to be returning to Discovery World in Milwaukee for the 2025 USA Triathlon Celebration of Sport Gala. This special evening will not only celebrate the remarkable achievements by the Foundation but also honor the extraordinary athletes and individuals who have achieved incredible athlete feats and contributed to our mission,” said USA Triathlon Chief Development Officer, Christi-Marie Butler. “Your presence and support at the Gala will help us continue to inspire youth participation, foster inclusion, and ignite the dreams of Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls. Let's come together to celebrate the sport we love and make a lasting impact on the future of triathlon.”
Special guests include U.S. Olympians Katie Zaferes, Andy Potts, Ryan Bolton, Paralympian Carson Clough, Hall of Fame member Mark Allen and USA Triathlon’s Scott Schnitzspahn, Alicia Kaye and Parker Spencer.
Individual tickets for the USA Triathlon Foundation Gala are $100. Discounted rates are available for groups of 10 or more. All individual and group tickets include access to both the reception and awards presentation.
To purchase tickets, click here. For information regarding sponsoring the event or learning more, email lindsay.welker@usatriathlon.org.
About the USA Triathlon Hall of Fame Class XIII #
Colleen Cannon
Colleen Cannon was one of the top professional triathletes of the 1980s, winning the 1984 Nice World Championship and multiple national titles. A former collegiate swimmer and track athlete at the University of Alabama, she combined athletic excellence with a passion for wellness. In 1991, she founded Women’s Quest, a retreat program that has empowered thousands of women through active living, body confidence, and nutrition education—extending her influence well beyond sport.
Graham Fraser
Graham Fraser has been a driving force in the expansion of triathlon in North America, producing races for over 30 years. He revitalized Ironman Canada in 1995 and went on to launch Ironman North America, creating events like Ironman Lake Placid and Ironman Arizona. Fraser also helped bring triathlon to mainstream audiences through television and later founded Suitcase Charlie Films. His impact extends to hockey as well, serving as the majority owner of the Penticton Vees and former chairman of the BCHL, bridging endurance sport, media, and youth development.
Ellen Hart
Ellen Hart began her triathlon career in 2006 and went on to become one of the most decorated age-group athletes in the sport. She has won 18 World Age Group titles across triathlon, duathlon, and aquathlon, and was named USA Triathlon Athlete of the Year twice. Hart dominated the 70.3 scene with six consecutive World Championships from 2008 to 2013 and qualified for the Ironman World Championships 11 years in a row, earning eight podiums. Her standout achievement came in 2015, when she won five World Championships in just 50 days.
Paul Martin
Paul Martin is a five-time USA Paratriathlon National Champion, four-time ITU World Champion, and a two-time Paralympic medalist in cycling. After losing his left leg in a 1992 car accident shortly after earning an engineering degree, he turned adversity into opportunity, becoming a dominant force in triathlon and Paralympic sport. Martin completed 10 Ironman races and set the Ironman world record for leg amputees in 2005, finishing in 10:09:17. He’s also the author of two memoirs, One Man’s Leg and Drinking from My Leg, which reflect his journey from foster care to world champion.
Kenny Souza
Kenny Souza was a pioneering figure in duathlon, winning eight USA National Duathlon Championships and the 1990 ITU Duathlon World Championship. Known for his charisma and competitive edge, he helped popularize the sport in the 1980s and ’90s and graced covers of Runner’s World and Competitor Magazine. After retiring in 1999, Souza remained active in endurance sports, racing events like the Race Across America and co-authoring a training book. He has continued to mentor athletes and contribute to multisport's growth both on and off the course.
About USA Triathlon #
USA Triathlon is proud to serve as the National Governing Body for triathlon, as well as duathlon, aquathlon, aquabike, winter triathlon, off-road triathlon, paratriathlon, and indoor and virtual multisport events in the United States. Founded in 1982, USA Triathlon sanctions more than 3,500 events and races and connects with and supports more than 300,000 unique active members each year, making it the largest multisport organization in the world. In addition to its work at the grassroots level with athletes, coaches, and race directors — as well as the USA Triathlon Foundation — USA Triathlon provides leadership and support to elite athletes competing at international events, including World Triathlon Championships, Pan American Games and the Olympic and Paralympic Games. USA Triathlon is a proud member of World Triathlon and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC).
About the USA Triathlon Foundation #
The USA Triathlon Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and the charitable arm of USA Triathlon. With its mission to transform lives through sport by providing opportunities to swim, bike and run, the Foundation serves to generate a greater impact on the multisport community through charitable giveback and grants that advance the Foundation’s three pillars: (1) Encourage youth participation; (2) Inspire pathways to access and inclusion; and (3) Ignite Olympic/Paralympic dreams. Since the Foundation was established in 2014, it has impacted the lives of thousands by providing grants to organizations and individuals in pursuit of its mission and pillars to create a healthier United States through triathlon. To learn more about the Foundation and get involved, please visit usatriathlonfoundation.org.
About TicketSocket #
TicketSocket provides event organizers and developers worldwide with a customizable white label ticketing, registration, and event management platform. Vendors and organizers enjoy total control of the experience created for their customers, with none of the time and costs traditionally associated with creating a custom solution. TicketSocket prioritizes organizations’ ownership of their own funds, data, brand, and functionality. The company’s proprietary plug-in framework, white-label tools, and open APIs pioneer a new level of interactivity and customization for event promoters, venues, developers, and other ticketing companies. TicketSocket currently provides services to thousands of customers worldwide, facilitating millions of transactions per year. Founded in 2012, the company is headquartered in Newport Beach, California, with additional offices in Asia, Europe, Australia and North America. For more information, visit www.ticketsocket.com.
