Kansas Sports Hall of Fame Announces Record No. of Inductees in 2026

Largest class to be recognized; will be honored in three separate ceremonies this summer

Wichita, Kan. – American record-holders and collegiate All-Americans, a World Series champion, Negro Leagues legends, NFL players and coaches as well as college and high school champions and a world-renown portrait artist highlight the largest class ever to be inducted into the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame as announced today by the organization.

“The practice has been to honor 10-12 people each year, but we have a considerable backlog of outstanding nominees,” KSHOF chair Jeff Bollig said. “The hall of fame board of directors, which oversees the selection of honorees annually, thought it was important to rightfully recognize outstanding representatives of the Sunflower State who may have missed out when the selections were dormant for 10 years.”

As a result, the 32 individuals, including 12 posthumous honorees, have been selected to enter the KSHOF in 2026. The 32 selections will be honored at one of three events this summer:

• July 18 at Legends Field in Kansas City, Kan., seven Kansas baseball legends will be inducted in conjunction with a Kansas City Monarchs game.
• July 25 at the Kansas Star Casino near Wichita, sponsored by Kansas Star Casino. Retired Wichita Eagle columnist and KFH radio host Bob Lutz will interview the honorees.
• August 16 in the Huhtamaki Shield Club at Sporting Park Kansas City, Kan., sponsored by Sporting Kansas City. Nate Bukaty, Kansas City – based broadcaster and national voice of MLS soccer will interview the inductees.

Ticket information for the events can be found at the end of this release.

The baseball legends join three other Negro Major Leaguers (Bingo DeMoss, George Sweatt and Heavy Johnson) to be honored July 18 in Kansas City, Kan.:

• Chester “Chet” Brewer (January 14, 1907 – March 26, 1990) was an All-Star pitcher in Negro league baseball. Born in Leavenworth, Kan., he played 19 non-consecutive seasons of professional baseball at various levels between 1925 and 1953, most notably for the Kansas City Monarchs. From 1957 to 1974 he scouted for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was considered for induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006. He recorded more than 100 shutouts during his career.
• Edward Dwight Sr. (February 25, 1905 – November 27, 1975) was an outfielder and second baseman in the Negro leagues. He made Kansas City, Kan., his home. He was sometimes referred to as having speed comparable to “Cool Papa” Bell. Dwight led the Negro American League in stolen bases in 1923, walks in 1937 and was a starter in the 1936 East-West All-Star Game. Graduated from Sumner High School in Kansas City, Kan. (where he played football).

• George Giles (May 2, 1909 – March 3, 1992) was an All-Star Negro leagues first baseman (12 years) and manager. He started at the age of 17 and signed with the Kansas City Monarchs at the age of 18. The last known team he played for was the Satchel Paige All Stars of 1939. Born in Junction City, he grew up and made his summer home in Manhattan. Managed the Brooklyn Eagles of the Negro Major League in 1935. Giles’ grandson, Brian Giles, was a second baseman for the New York Mets of the National League in the early 1980s.

• Carroll Ray “Dink” Mothell (August 13, 1897 – April 24, 1980) born and raised in Topeka, Kan., played at least one game at every position during his 15 seasons as a player and manager in the Negro Leagues. He helped the Kansas City Monarchs win the World Series in 1924. Considered the greatest utility player in the history of the Negro leagues.
• Charles Wilber Rogan (July 28, 1893 – March 4, 1967) nicknamed “Bullet Joe”, was a pitcher, outfielder, second baseman and player-manager for the Kansas City Monarchs in the Negro baseball leagues from 1920 to 1938. Renowned as a two-way player who could both hit and pitch successfully, one statistical compilation shows Rogan winning more games than any other pitcher in Negro leagues history and ranking fourth highest in career batting average. Led the Monarchs to a World Series title in 1924. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1998

• Diego Segui (August 17, 1937 – July 24, 2025) was born in Holguin, Cuba and signed by Cincinnati in 1958. His first professional experience was with the Kansas City A’s in 1962. He would play his final season in 1977 with the Seattle Mariners. He completed his career by playing in the Mexican League until 1985. He would become a minor league coach in the San Francisco Giants organization. For his career, he was 92-111 in the majors and the 1970 ERA champion at 2.56. After completing his major league career, he established Kansas City, Kan., as his home where he raised his family. His son David Segui played professionally for the Baltimore Orioles, New York Mets, Montreal Expos, Seattle Mariners, Toronto Blue Jays., Texas Rangers, and Cleveland Indians.

• Frank Wickware (March 18, 1889 – November 2, 1967) was born in Girard, Kan., and later moved to Coffeyville, Kan. He was a Negro league standout from 1910-25 and was considered the fastest pitcher until the emergence of Satchel Paige. His go-to pitch was an outstanding curveball, which often had batters diving out of the way only to have the ball curve over the plate for a strike. He out-dueled fellow Kansan Walter Johnson 1-0 in a 1913 exhibition game at Schenectady, N.Y. Wickware was considered for the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006.

Those being inducted in Wichita, Saturday, July 25 include:

• Bob Barratti – Graduated from Wichita North High School. Was a seven-time Kansas state high school champion in track and two-time state cross country champion (1966-67). Had the fastest time in the nation in the 880-yard, mile and two-mile runs during his senior year. He broke Jim Ryun’s high school half mile record of 1:50.6. Was a member of Kansas State’s two-mile world record relay team.
• Greg Brummett – 1989 College World Series MVP. His record-tying three victories led the Shockers to their first national championship. Led the nation with 18 wins and had career totals of 43 wins in 59 starts, covering 424 innings (with 364 strikeouts). Played professionally and coached Cloud County Community College. He graduated from Wichita Northwest High School.
• Steve Crosby – Kansas high school football 8-Man Player of the Year at Pawnee Rock High School. Played as a freshman at Kansas State and finished at Fort Hays State. Honorable Mention NCAA Division II All-American. Had career totals of 2,780 yards and 27 touchdowns. Had a 33-year tenure in the NFL as a player (3 with N.Y. Giants), scout (4 years) and assistant coach (26). He coached under NFL legends Bill Belichick, Don Shula and Marty Schottenheimer. Was named NFL Special Teams Coach of the Year in 2007.
• Judy Dyer – Graduated from Topeka High and Texas Southern University. Qualified for the 1968 Olympics in the 80-meter hurdles. She advanced to the semifinal round of the Olympic Games where her fastest time of 10.5 seconds (American record) placed her in the top 15 fastest women in the world in 1968. NAIA Indoor Champion in the 60-yard dash and 80-meter hurdles. Was among the group of athletes on the first Texas Southern women’s track program and a member of the Texas Southern Athletic Hall of Fame.

• DeAngelo Evans – Holds the Kansas high school football record with 8,472 career rushing yards and until this year career touchdowns scored (131) while playing for Wichita Collegiate High School. 1996 Big XII Championship game MVP for Nebraska, rushing for 130 yards and three touchdowns. Finished career at Emporia State. He and fellow inductee Maurice Evans are cousins.
• Maurice Evans – Led Wichita Collegiate to the 1996 Kansas Class 3A state basketball title. Started his college career at Wichita State and finished at Texas. As a sophomore at WSU averaged 22.6 ppg., 4.5 rpg. He led Texas in scoring at 15.6 ppg. in his final season. Was an undrafted free agent, playing in the NBA nine years and internationally two years. Was a Greece League all-star in 2003. He and fellow inductee DeAngelo Evans are cousins.
• C.J. Hamilton – All-time winningest high school football coach in Kansas. During his 47-year tenure at Silver Lake, his alma mater, his record was 447-98. He led the Eagles to 39 league titles, 40 playoff appearances, 18 state championship game berths and eight state titles. Other than coaching two years collegiately on the staff at his alma mater Washburn in 1977-78, his entire career was spent at Silver Lake.

• Mike Kennedy – Retiring this year after 46 years as the “Voice of the Shockers.” He is a two-time Kansas Broadcaster of the Year. Also broadcast Chanute High School and Pittsburg State University prior to WSU. Graduated from Wichita Southeast High School and Wichita State. At one point in his career, he had broadcast 1,400 consecutive basketball games.

• Nathan Leeper – Two-time Kansas state high jump and one-time triple jump state champion at Protection High School. Competed for Dodge City Community College and Kansas State. NJCAA national indoor and outdoor national champion and 1998 NCAA Outdoor National Champion. 2000 US Olympic team member, finishing 11th. He was the top-ranked US high jumper in 2000 and 2001.

• Ricky Ross – Considered one of the all-time best, if not the best, high school basketball players from Wichita. Attended Wichita South and played collegiately at Kansas and Tulsa. Was a McDonald’s All-American, leading the Wichita City League in scoring as a senior at 32.1 ppg. (elected to the KSHOF in 2023 but has been unable to attend the ceremony until this year).

The Kansas City induction ceremony, Sunday, August 16 will recognize:

• Ray Bechard – Native of Grinnell, played basketball at Barton County Community College. and graduated from Fort Hays State. Coached volleyball at Lewis High School and then at Barton County for 13 years where he was national coach of the year two times. Coached at KU 27 seasons and was five-time Big 12 Coach of the Year and national coach of the year in 2015. His Jayhawk volleyball teams made 13 NCAA appearances, advancing to the semifinal round three times and to the championship semifinals in 2015. A member of the American Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

• Matt Besler – Widely recognized as one of the best defenders in MLS history. A five-time MLS All-Star and the 2012 MLS Defender of the Year. He anchored Sporting KC for 12 seasons and represented the USMNT in the 2014 World Cup. Played four seasons at Notre Dame, receiving All-American and Academic All-American honors as a senior. Led Blue Valley West to the Kansas 5A State Championship as a senior.
• Cliff Illig – Graduated from Shawnee Mission East High School and the University of Kansas. Brought professional major league soccer to the state as the principal owner of Sporting Kansas City. He has also been a top driving force to position Kansas City as a premier soccer city in North America, including landing the 2026 World Cup in KC. 2026 Kansas Citian of the Year and Co-Chair of KC2026 Board of Directors.
• John Martin – Graduated from Ottawa High School and the University of Kansas. His art can be viewed all over the world – known for his work with Kansas Athletics, Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals, and athletes Buck O’Neil, Tom Watson, Jack Nicklaus and the creation of KC Wolf. Outside of Kansas, he has done works for Major League Baseball, NCAA, Ryder Cup, Lee Trevino, Dean Smith, Bob Cousy, Stan Musial, Joe DiMaggio, Texas and Michigan athletics. He also created the distinct logo for West Virginia University.

• Dayton Moore – Sixth generation Kansan, born in Wichita and lived in Coldwater. Played baseball collegiately at Garden City Community College before finishing at George Mason University. Joined the Kansas City Royals in 2006 as general manager and president and transformed the franchise from a last-place team into the 2015 World Series champion. Started the C You in the Major Leagues Foundation in January 2014 as a donor-advised fund to support youth baseball, education, faith-based events, and families in crisis throughout the greater Kansas City area and beyond.

• Tracy Rietzke – A Smith Center native. NAIA All-America basketball player at Kansas Wesleyan. Led the nation in field goal percentage in 1976. Recorded 1,277 victories in 38 years as the volleyball coach at Kansas Wesleyan and Rockhurst University. He had an .818 winning percentage at Rockhurst; 2019 NCAA Division II National Coach of the Year. 206-45 record as women’s basketball coach at Rockhurst with five NAIA national tournament appearances. Earlier this year inducted into the American Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

• Cassie Wait Valentine – At Gardner-Edgerton High School was 2013 Kansas City Star Scholar-Athlete, Kansas Gatorade Volleyball Player of the Year and three-time Kansas State Class 6A pole vault champion. Three-year starter and 2016 Big 12 Libero of the Year at Kansas. Starting libero for the Kansas 2015 championship semifinals appearance, a first in program history. 2016 Big 12 Volleyball Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Honorable Mention All-American as a senior.

• Earl Watson – As a senior basketball standout at Kansas City Washington high school, he averaged 23.4 points, 8.3 assists and 14 rebounds per game. At UCLA was a four-year starter: most consecutive games as starter in the history of UCLA basketball; He played 13 seasons in the NBA with seven teams before becoming a coach in 2014. He was the head coach of the Phoenix Suns from 2016 to 2017. Is an analyst for the Big Ten Network.
• Larry Wilcox – Served as Benedictine head football coach from 1979 to 2020 (42 years) with a record of 305–153 (.666); Second most all-time wins in NAIA; 13th all-time in wins in college football; First in all-time wins among Kansas four-year colleges and universities; 14 NAIA playoffs, 3 final fours, 2 bowl games, 4-time AFCA Regional Coach of the Year. Athletic Director 24 years (1982-2006).

• Zach Roberson – Owns the all-time best record in Kansas high school wrestling at 153-0 with four state titles (1996-97-98-99) at Blue Valley Northwest High School. His four-year record at Iowa State was 106-35, including 82-20 his last three seasons. He was a three-time NCAA All-American and as a senior was the 1999 NCAA champion at 133 pounds.

The KSHOF will also induct five individuals posthumously:

• Terry English (September 19, 1950 – October 11, 2022) – Born in Kansas City, Mo., he attended Bishop Miege High School and Rockhurst University. He was the girls’ basketball coach at Miege and is widely regarded for building a basketball dynasty. Over 44 seasons (1975–2021), he achieved 910 wins, 22 state championships, and was named the 2020-21 MaxPreps National Coach of the Year. To be recognized in Kansas City.

• Derrick Jensen (April 27, 1956 – April 7, 2017) – Attended Osawatomie High School and the University of Texas at Arlington. Member of the NFL 30 years – eight as player (3rd-round draft choice of the Oakland Raiders in 1978), played in 106 games and started 22. Played in Super Bowl XV and Super Bowl XVIII. 22 years as scout for the Seattle Seahawks; At UT Arlington, was 2-time Southland Conference MVP, rushing for 3,346 yards, the first player in conference history to top 3,000 yards; 1973 Kansas state high school football champion. To be recognized in Kansas City.

• Richard Metz (May 29, 1908 – May 5, 1993) – Attended Arkansas City High School. Had 14 professional golf career victories. Best major finishes include eighth in the Masters in 1938 and 1949, third in PGA Championship in 1939, second in the U.S. Open in 1938. Recorded 17 top-10 finishes in majors during career. Won the Senior PGA Championship and the World Senior Championship match play in 1960. Named to U.S. Ryder Cup teams in both 1939 and 1941 but neither match was played due to World War II. To be recognized in Wichita.

• Nino Samuel (January 9, 1953 – June 17, 2020) – At Salina Central High School was the Kansas high school basketball rebound record holder for career (15.3) and season (19.3) rebound average (and still holds them); 2-time Kansas HS player of the year (1971, 1972); Parade HS All-American (1972); As a junior averaged 23.5 points per game and won 4A state championship; as a senior averaged 31.1 points. Played collegiately at Kansas and Marymount. To be recognized in Wichita.

• Everett Shelton – (May 12, 1898 – April 16, 1974) – Attended Cunningham and Little River high schools. Attended Phillips University in Enid, Okla., earning 12 letters in football, basketball and baseball. Had a 494-350 college coaching record. Was 850–437 as a head coach in all sports at all levels. Developed the weave offense at Phillips. Coached at Wyoming (1939-1959); eight conference championships and seven NCAA tournament appearances, including 1943 NCAA title. Member of Naismith HOF, College Basketball HOF, Wyoming Athletics Hall of Fame. To be recognized in Kansas City.

This year’s class brings the total number of Inductees to 379, with the first class in 1961 including such legends as Dr. James Naismith, Mike Ahearn, Glenn Cunningham, Walter Johnson and Jess Willard. The Hall was created by the Kansas State legislature in 1961 during the state’s Centennial Celebration. For more information, visit www.KSHOF.org.

Ticket information for the three events follow:

• To secure tickets for the July 18 induction of the Kansas Baseball Legends, July 18 at Legends Field in Kansas City, Kan., click HERE.
• To secure tickets for the July 25 induction in Wichita, Kan., at Kansas Star Casino, click HERE.
• To secure tickets for the August 16 induction in Kansas City, Kan., at Sporting Kansas City Park in Kansas City, Kan., click HERE