Many of the artifacts had previously been stored at Prather Coliseum on the campus of Northwestern State University in Natchitoches.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, there were concerns that the proposed museum would be removed from the list of approved projects in 2005 by the Louisiana Bond Commission.

However, then-state representative Taylor Townsend informed Hall of Fame executive director Doug Ireland that the sports museum, unlike other similar proposals, had survived the vetting process.

Natchitoches Mayor Lee Posey said the museum is a "tremendous" boost to Natchitoches-area tourism.

[1] Then-Lieutenant Governor Jay Dardenne, whose office handles state tourism matters, was on hand for the grand opening.