Author: Tamara Fisher

An organization that looks to preserve Philadelphia's sports history is still hoping for a place to call home. Since 2002, the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame Foundation has been dedicated to preserving and promoting the rich history of Philly sports.

"There is no central organization that honors the overall tremendous sports heritage of Philadelphia," said Ken Avallon, the group's president and founder.

The foundation will induct its third Hall of Fame class tonight in a sold-out ceremony at the Sheraton Society Hill. Among the honorees are the 1960 Eagles, baseball greats Del Ennis, Reggie Jackson, Roy Campanella, basketball Hall of Famers Hal Greer, Joe Fulks and Jack Ramsay, pool player Willie Mosconi and former Daily News columnist Ray Didinger. The group brings the hall's total to 52 individuals, as well as the Palestra and the 1954 La Salle basketball team.

Meanwhile, the foundation is continuing its efforts to find a permanent location to honor the Hall of Famers and display memorabilia.

"We have antiques from the Palestra, the Vet . . . items that we've had for over 100 years," Avallon said. And an interim site might be in the works, Avallon said. "After speaking with local organizations and universities, we may have a temporary museum presence in the next 3 to 6 months," he said.

Avallon admits their vision of a full-functioning museum might be a long race, but a short-term location would be a step in the right direction. There are a few established locations willing to house these pieces of history, he said.