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The Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame on Monday released the names of 11 inductees into its 2026 class.
The 2026 inductees are:
- Nathan Brown, current head football coach and former quarterback at UCA who led the Bears to four of the program’s top six offensive seasons ever.
- Louis Cella, president of Oaklawn Jockey Club and prominent figure in the world of thoroughbred racing.
- Alex Collins, the late former Razorback great who became the first SEC freshman to rush for more than 100 yards in each of his first three games, played in the NFL for the Seahawks and Ravens.
- Van Compton, legendary 38-year head coach of the Little Rock Trojans volleyball.
- Peter Doohan, an Australian former Hog tennis great who, with Pat Serret, won the NCAA doubles title in 1982.
- DeAngelo Williams, a former Wynne running back who played college ball at Memphis and in the NFL for the Panthers and Steelers.
- Jim Haney, the three-time, all-AIC basketball player for Arkansas College (now Lyon) from 1965-68.
- Lee Hardman, standout defensive back at UAPB and successful coach at Dollarway High School and UAPB.
- Jerry “Buck” James, former football player at UAM and successful high school coach at Star City, Camden Fairview and Bryant.
- Erica Leak, current UAPB women’s basketball coach and highly decorated prep star at Forrest City and West Memphis who played college ball at Louisiana Tech and was taken 19th overall in the 2005 WNBA draft.
- D. Wayne Lukas, legendary horse trainer and Oaklawn mainstay who was inducted into the U.S. Racing Hall of Fame.
The VIP reception for the 2026 banquet is scheduled for Thursday, April 9, 2026, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Oaklawn Mainline Sports Bar. The banquet is set for Friday, April 10, 2026. Visit arksportshalloffame.com for tickets or more information.
