The Sports Hall of Fame Opens Its Doors to the Class of 2026

The Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame announced its 2026 class on Monday, naming eleven inductees whose careers have left a lasting imprint on sports in the state and far beyond. Founded in 1958, the Hall was created to safeguard the stories of Arkansas athletes, coaches, and sports figures, preserving their legacies long after the final game has been played. For generations, induction has stood as one of the most meaningful honors available to anyone connected to Arkansas sports.

This year’s class brings together a striking mix of talent, leadership, and longevity. The inductees are Nathan Brown, Alex Collins, DeAngelo Williams, Louis A. Cella, D. Wayne Lukas, Peter Doohan, Jim Haney, Erika Leak, Van Compton, Lee Hardman, and Jerry Buck James. Their careers stretch across football, basketball, tennis, volleyball, thoroughbred racing, and coaching, creating a group that captures the breadth and character of Arkansas sports.

Football Standouts Lead the Class

Nathan Brown,  the head football coach and former star quarterback at the University of Central Arkansas, is one of the most prominent names in this year’s class. A Russellville native, Brown guided the Bears to four of the program’s six best offensive seasons and rewrote the state’s collegiate record book along the way. A three time All American, he finished his UCA career with 10,558 passing yards and 100 touchdowns and led the team to a 30 to 10 record as its starting quarterback.

Brown’s career was marked by a string of individual honors and record-setting performances. He was named Southland Conference Offensive Player of the Year in 2007 and followed that with the league’s overall Player of the Year award in 2008, the same season he became a finalist for the Walter Payton Award. He still holds University of Central Arkansas records for the most touchdown passes in a single game, with seven, and the most total offense in a game, with 490 yards.

Before UCA transitioned to Division I in 2006, Brown earned Gulf South Conference Freshman of the Year honors. He went on to become the first UCA player in the Division I era invited to the Senior Bowl, finishing as the game’s leading passer in 2009. That same year, he also took part in the East–West Shrine Game and later signed free agent contracts with the Jacksonville Jaguars and New Orleans Saints. In recognition of his remarkable career, Brown was inducted into the UCA Sports Hall of Fame in 2016.

Alex Collins, the Arkansas Razorbacks running back celebrated for his combination of power and finesse, is also part of the 2026 class. He made history as the first freshman in Southeastern Conference history to begin his career with three consecutive 100-yard games, finishing that season with 1,026 rushing yards and earning both SEC Freshman of the Year and Freshman All-America honors. Over three seasons in Fayetteville, Collins totaled 3,703 rushing yards and notched 17 games with at least 100 yards, trailing only Darren McFadden in program history. His 36 career touchdowns rank fourth all-time at Arkansas. Collins tragically died in a motorcycle accident on August 13, 2023.

DeAngelo Williams, another football standout with deep Arkansas roots, joins them in the 2026 class. At Wynne High School, Williams was named Arkansas Democrat Gazette Offensive Player of the Year and selected to the Associated Press Arkansas Super Team. He entered college as the nation’s twenty fifth ranked running back prospect and the second highest rated player in the state. He went on to earn All America and All Region recognition from SuperPrep before launching a successful football career and, later, a stint in professional wrestling. With support from the NFL, Williams also became a driving force behind the league’s breast cancer awareness efforts and the now familiar tradition of players wearing pink accessories during games.

Basketball Leaders and Legends

Jim Haney, a collegiate basketball figure, enters the Hall for his career at Arkansas College, now Lyon College, from 1965 to 1968. Haney earned First Team All Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference honors in 1966, 1967, and 1968, and his scoring achievements remain in the college record books.

Erika Leak also joins the class. She earned several top honors in her career, including Gatorade Player of the Year, Parade All America recognition, and the Arkansas All Star MVP award. Leak has continued her involvement in basketball as a coach after her playing career.

Icons of Thoroughbred Racing

Louis A. Cella, a third-generation leader in thoroughbred racing, has played a central role in shaping the sport for decades. He serves on the board of the Thoroughbred Racing Association and became president of the Oaklawn Jockey Club in 2017. In 2018, he was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. Cella was named the 2020 Arkansas Democrat Gazette Sportsman of the Year, and during the Covid 19 pandemic, he kept live racing events running while much of the national industry was shut down. His influence extends beyond racing, with lasting contributions to Arkansas tourism. As president of Oaklawn, he oversaw a one hundred million dollar expansion, one of the largest hospitality investments in state history. In recognition of his impact on tourism, he was inducted into the Arkansas Tourism Hall of Fame in 2022.

D. Wayne Lukas, also chosen from the world of thoroughbred racing, is regarded as one of the most accomplished horse trainers in American racing history. He is a member of the United States Racing Hall of Fame and has built a career defined by major milestones and national recognition.

Tennis, Volleyball, and Coaching Excellence

Peter Doohan, the Australian tennis standout who became one of the most decorated athletes in University of Central Arkansas history, is also among the 2026 inductees. Doohan was the first player at UCA to earn All America honors in four straight seasons. In 1982, he teamed with Pat Serret to win the NCAA doubles championship, a milestone that remains one of the program’s defining achievements.

Three inductees are being honored for their coaching excellence.

Van Compton, the longtime leader of the Little Rock Trojans volleyball program, enters the Hall after thirty eight years at the helm and a career that helped establish the program’s competitive identity.

Lee Hardman, a former defensive back at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and a highly successful coach at Dollarway High School and UAPB, also joins the class. Hardman’s Dollarway teams produced one of the most dominant stretches in Arkansas high school football, compiling a 63 to 1 record over his final five seasons, including a 51 game winning streak.

Jerry Buck James, a former University of Arkansas at Monticello player who became one of the state’s most accomplished high school coaches at Star City, Camden Fairview, and Bryant, rounds out the group.

Celebrating the Class of 2026

This year’s inductees are broadly regarded as deserving additions who strengthen the long standing legacy of the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame. The 2026 festivities will begin with a VIP reception on Thursday, April 9, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Oaklawn Mainline Sports Bar, with the full banquet to follow on Friday, April 10. The events are expected to offer a fitting celebration of the remarkable careers being honored.