Planned National Mascot Hall of Fame in Whiting, Indiana, Selects Al Spajer as its First Executive Director

City-of-Whiting-Mascot-Hall-of-Fame-01City of Whiting, Indiana, is pleased to announce the hiring of Al Spajer as the new Executive Director of the planned National Mascot Hall of Fame (NMHOF). The City is currently in the process of establishing and funding a new non-profit entity that will own and operate the NMHOF, and as Executive Director of this entity, Al will lead the process of designing, fundraising, staffing and opening the new mascot entertainment center in Whiting.

“We could not be more thrilled to welcome Al to the NMHOF team,” said Whiting Mayor Joe Stahura. “We are confident that Al will bring his trademark energy and passion to this project and help lead the NMHOF to a successful grand opening.”

Prior to joining the NMHOF team, Al was a senior manager for United States Steel Corporation at the Gary Works Complex, where he was the director of all employee relations responsibilities. While at U.S. Steel, Al also spearheaded many of the company’s sports-related sponsorship activities, including the stadium naming rights deal for U.S. Steel Yard, the home of the Gary SouthShore RailCats baseball team, and a presenting sponsorship of the Chicago Cubs Caravan visit to Northwest Indiana. Al also recently served as the 2014 Campaign Chair for the Lake Area United Way and plays amateur hockey on a team that fundraises on an annual basis for various agencies in Northwest Indiana.

“I’ve always been passionate about sports,” said Spajer, “and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity that the Mayor and City of Whiting have given me to lead the new NMHOF into its anticipated opening in Whiting. I’m excited to help add this project to the ever-growing list of successful development and revitalization projects that have put Whiting back on the map as a must-visit family destination in the Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana communities.”

The National Mascot Hall of Fame will be opening its doors in 2017 in Whiting, Indiana, a city that the Mascot Hall of Fame’s original founder and creative guru, David Raymond, has called “the silly, wacky city that could!” The 25,000 square-foot, multi-million dollar facility will be a state-of-the-art, interactive, family fun zone, with a wide range of exhibits, activities and events that celebrate mascot fun. Original and memorable mascot interactions and performances will entertain, teach and enthuse children and their families year-round.