The National Soccer Hall of Fame’s facial recognition technology got some recognition of its own.

The American Alliance of Museums Media and Technology Network’s awarded the National Soccer Hall of Fame the Gold Muse Award for Research and Innovation for its “Facial Recognition Personalization Software” on Monday night. FC Dallas President Dan Hunt and Mark Ikeno, CEO of NEC Corporation of America, accepted the award at AAM's Media & Technology MUSE Awards in New Orleans, Louisiana.

"It’s an honor to have the National Soccer Hall of Fame recognized amongst some of the most influential and forward-thinking institutions in the industry, both domestic and international," National Soccer Hall of Fame Executive Director Djorn Buchholz said. "There are many partners who worked collaboratively to bring this first of its kind personalization system to life and we are thrilled to share this award with all of them."

"To be a part of the great institutions recognized is really special - not only to win our category, but because we were the only sports venue winner," Hunt said. "It’s a culmination of bringing our facial recognition software and doing something that nobody else has done in the entire world. Our partners at Cortina Productions and HealyKohler Design took what NEC can do, and made it forward-facing and integrated it to the museum experience. We’re proud to lead the way at the National Soccer Hall of Fame."

Powered by NEC and its NeoFace^® facial recognition software, National Soccer Hall of Fame guests experience a custom-tailored tour unlike anything they’ve experienced in a sports setting. NEC and the National Soccer Hall of Fame are the first to use facial recognition technology to individualize a guest’s experience in a sports and entertainment venue. 

During registration, visitors create a profile by selecting their favorite teams, position on the pitch and level of soccer fandom. The National Soccer Hall of Fame’s 15 interactive exhibits incorporate the facial recognition technology to recognize guests as they approach and tailor the content to the visitor’s taste. Through the interactives, visitors can build their dream US National Team, design their own MLS kits, create a scarf that can be printed on-site and test their soccer skills with gesture-based technology and virtual reality.