We are just a few days away from the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the Kansas Star Casino, Saturday, July 25. We appreciate the coverage you have provided to date and invite you to join us Saturday to recognize the class of 13 (three posthumously).
As I have noted before, it is a larger than normal class (32 – with 12 of those recognized posthumously), with the purpose of catching up from a period of 12 years in the 1970s/80s where there were no selections. The news release can be found HERE or at the following link: https://www.kshof.org/post/kansas-sports-hall-of-fame-announces-record-no-of-inductees-in-2026largest-class-to-be-recognized
The Wichita Class includes:
- Bob Barratti – Wichita North/KSU track and cross country standout. 7-time State Champion/All-American
- Greg Brummett – Wichita Northwest/WSU pitcher; All-State/All-American/College World Series MVP
- Steve Crosby – Fort Hays State/NFL player & coach in football. All-American/2007 NFL Special Teams Coach of the Year
- Judy Dyer – Topeka/Texas Southern. NAIA hurdles champ, American record holder, Olympian.
- D’Angelo Evans – Wichita Collegiate/Nebraska/Emporia State football. All-time leading rusher in Kansas, MVP Big 12 title game
- Maurice Evans – Wichita Collegiate/WSU/Texas/NBA in basketball. All-State, State Champ, All-Missouri Valley, Greek League all-star, NBA 9 years.
- C.J. Hamilton – Silver Lake football coach. All-time winning coach in Kansas high school football history
- Mike Kennedy – 46-year Voice of Wichita State University sports. 2026 Kansas Sportscaster of the Year.
- Nathan Leeper – Protection H.S./Dodge City CC/KSU high jumper. State/juco/collegiate high jump champion. Olympian
- Ricky Ross – Wichita South/Kansas/Tulsa in basketball. All State/state champion/Parade & McDonald’s All-American
- Richard Metz# – Arkansas City golfer. 14 professional wins. 1938 U.S. Open Runner Up. Two-time Ryder Cup selection.
- Everrett Shelton# – Cunningham/Little River HS. Was a four-sport athlete in HS. Coached Wyoming to 1943 NCAA championship
- Nino Samuel# – Salina Central/Kansas/Marymount – Kansas HS career & season rebounding records. Twice Kansas HS Player of the Year
The schedule for the induction ceremony at Wichita/Mulvane on July 25 follows:
- 9 – 10 a.m.: Inductees available to media for interviews at Kansas Star Casino boardroom
- 10 – 10:30 a.m.: Inductee instructions and line up
- 10:30 – Noon: Induction Ceremony/Honoree Q&A
- Noon: Lunch and Reception
