Arkansas Sports Legends to be Honored in 2026

Arkansas is set to celebrate some of its top athletes and coaches in 2026. The Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame will welcome 11 new members. These inductees come from different sports like baseball, basketball, football, and volleyball. There are also two big names from horse racing joining the list. The event will take place on April 10, 2026, at the Oaklawn Event Center in Hot Springs. The inductees include a Cy Young Award winner, a top University of Arkansas running back, and a horse trainer with many Triple Crown victories. Nathan Brown is one of the inductees. He played and coached football at the University of Central Arkansas. As a player, he set state records for passing yards and touchdowns. As a coach, he led his team to conference titles. Louis Cella is another inductee. He is the president of the Oaklawn Jockey Club. He has overseen a major expansion of the club, including a luxury hotel and a new event center. Alex Collins, a former University of Arkansas running back, is also being honored. He had a successful college career and played in the NFL. Sadly, he passed away in a motorcycle accident in 2023. Van Compton, a volleyball coach, has had a long and successful career. She has led her team to many championships and tournament wins. Peter Doohan, an Australian tennis player, made a big impact at the University of Arkansas. He won an NCAA doubles championship and had a notable professional career. He passed away in 2017. Jim Haney is known for his basketball skills at Arkansas College. He holds several school records for points scored. Lee Hardman and Buck James are both respected high school football coaches. Hardman led his team to four state championships. James has won seven state titles and many conference awards. Dallas Keuchel is a former University of Arkansas pitcher who won a Cy Young Award. He played for several MLB teams and was part of a championship team. Erica Leak is a former basketball player and coach. She played in the WNBA and has coached high school and college teams. D. Wayne Lukas is a legendary horse trainer. He won many Triple Crown races and was a regular at Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort. He passed away in 2025. These inductees have made significant contributions to sports in Arkansas. Their achievements will be celebrated and remembered for years to come.