WACO, Texas — The Texas Sports Hall of Fame in Waco has announced its 2026 Class of inductees, featuring numerous familiar names from a variety of sports.
The Class of 2026 inductees are:
The athletes will be officially inducted into the Hall of Fame at the 65th Annual Texas Sports Hall of Fame Induction Banquet on April 18, 2026.
The Texas Sports Hall of Fame, located on Baylor University’s campus, honors the history of sports in Texas, recognizing coaches, athletes and administrators who have “brought lasting fame and honor to Texas sports.”
The Class of 2026 features inductees across numerous sports, from football to basketball to Olympic skating, rodeo and more. The inductees are listed below.
The 1966 Texas Western Miners basketball team- The 1966 Texas Western Miners basketball team, coached by Don Haskins, made sports and civil rights history by winning the NCAA championship with the first all-Black starting lineup ever to play in the title game, the Hall of Fame said. Starters Bobby Joe Hill, David Lattin, Orsten Artis, Willie Worsley and Harry Flournoy led the team to a 72-65 victory over the heavily-favored, all-white Kentucky Wildcats. The Hall of Fame described the game as an “iconic contest that marked a turning point for integration in college athletics.”
Clint Dempsey- Clint Dempsey, of Nacogdoches, is widely regarded as one of the greatest American soccer players of all time, according to the Hall of Fame. Starting his career as a forward and midfielder for the New England Revolution, Dempsey went on to become the top scorer at Fulham in the English Premier League. He won an MLS Cup in 2016 with the Seattle Sounders, and is tied with Landon Donovan as the all-time leading scorer for the U.S. Men’s National Team.
Chad Hedrick- Chad Hedrick of Spring, Texas is considered one of the “most versatile and accomplished athletes in both inline and ice speed skating,” the Hall of Fame said, revolutionizing the sport with his “double push” technique. Hedrick won 50 world championships and 93 national titles as an inline skater before transitioning to ice skating, where he also set world records and won the World Allround title in 2004. Hedrick brought home multiple medals in both the 2006 and 2010 Winter Olympics. The Hall of Fame said Hedrick has continued to inspire young athletes through coaching, motivational speaking and philanthropy.
Charmayne James- Charmayne James of Amarillo is considered the most accomplished barrel racer in rodeo history, according to the Hall of Fame. She has won 11 Women’s Professional Rodeo Association world championships, the most ever won by a single person. Beginning her rodeo career at 14, James became the first barrel racer to earn $1 million and won seven National Finals Rodeo average titles, the Hall of Fame said. James and her horse Scamper have both also been inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame. Since her retirement, the Hall of Fame said James has continued to be an “enduring ambassador and icon for the sport.”
Zack Martin- Former Dallas offensive lineman Zack Martin was a “cornerstone” of the Cowboys’ offense for eleven seasons between 2014 and 2024, the Hall of Fame said, and is one of the most decorated guards in NFL history. Martin was drafted 16th overall in the 2014 NFL Draft, and earned nine Pro Bowl selections and was named a First Team All-Pro seven times over his career. Martin was also named to the NFL’s 2010s All-Decade Team. The Hall of Fame said Martin’s “leadership, durability and performance set a new standard for offensive linemen in Dallas” and secured his spot as one of the greatest players in Cowboys’ history.
Steve McMichael- Steve McMichael, also known by his nickname “Mongo”, played 15 seasons as a defensive tackle in the NFL. McMichael is most well known for his time with the Chicago Bears, though he also played for the New England Patriots and the Green Bay Packers. Born in Houston and playing for the University of Texas, McMichael set the school’s career tackles and sacks records while also earning unanimous First Team All-American honors. In the NFL, McMichael was a “stalwart” of the Bears legendary defense, starting in 191 consecutive games, earning two Pro Bowl selections, four All-Pro honors and winning Super Bowl XX with the team in 1986. After his NFL career, McMichael competed as a professional wrestler and coached indoor football. McMichael died in April 2025 after battling ALS.
Von Miller- Von Miller, of DeSoto, is a football linebacker known for his speed, power and “game-changing prowess”, the Hall of Fame described. Miller had a standout college career at Texas A&M, winning consensus All-American honors and the 2010 Butkus Award, before being drafted by the Denver Broncos in 2011. Miller earned over 120 sacks and earned eight Pro Bowl selections, three All-Pro honors and the Super Bowl 50 MVP award. He later won another Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams, and played for the Buffalo Bills. Miller currently plays for the Washington Commanders.
Gary Patterson- Gary Patterson served as the head football coach at Texas Christian University from 2000 to 2010, becoming the university’s all-time winningest coach with 181 wins over his tenure with the Horned Frogs. Patterson led TCU to six conference championships across four different leagues, a Big 12 title and 11 seasons with double-digit wins. Patterson also led the Horned Frogs to an undefeated 13-0 season in 2010, culminating in a 21-19 win over Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl. Over his career, the Hall of Fame said Patterson coached dozens of future NFL players, made “significant” academic progress for student athletes and earned national Coach of the Year honors.
Louis Santop- Louis Santop of Tyler, Texas was born in 1890 and was one of the earliest superstars of Negro League baseball, the Hall of Fame said. Santop, often known as “Big Bertha”, was also the league’s first legitimate home run slugger, according to the Hall of Fame. Santop primarily played catcher, but also filled in at first base, third base and outfield positions. Santop was known for his power and high batting averages, often hitting above .400 in the dead-ball era, as well as his showmanship. Santop starred for teams including the Fort Worth Wonders, Philadelphia Giants, New York Lincoln Giants, Brooklyn Royal Giants, Chicago American Giants and Hilldale Daisies, and caught for Negro League legends like Smokey Joe Williams, according to the Hall of Fame. Santop also served in World War I, and was a prominent figure in broadcasting and politics after his retirement. After his death in 1942, Santop was posthumously inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006.
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