The Texas Sports Hall of Fame has announced its Class of 2026, honoring nine legendary individuals and teams whose achievements have shaped sports history in Texas, the nation, and the world. The inductees will be celebrated during the 65th Annual Texas Sports Hall of Fame Induction Banquet, presented by Texas Farm Bureau Insurance, on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at the BASE at Extraco Events Center in Waco.
Selected by a statewide committee of Texas Sports Hall of Fame members, former inductees, and sports leaders, the Class of 2026 represents excellence across basketball, football, soccer, Olympic competition, rodeo, and baseball.
Induction Banquet Information
The 2026 Texas Sports Hall of Fame Induction Banquet will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2026, in Waco, Texas.
Purchase tickets and sponsorship packages online: https://tickets.tshof.org/
Texas Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2026
1966 Texas Western Miners Basketball Team
The 1966 Texas Western Miners, coached by Don Haskins, forever changed the landscape of college athletics and American history. On March 19, 1966, Texas Western defeated the heavily favored, all-white Kentucky Wildcats 72–65 to win the NCAA Championship, becoming the first team to start an all-Black lineup in a national title game.
The five starters—Bobby Joe Hill, David Lattin, Orsten Artis, Willie Worsley, and Harry Flournoy—not only delivered a championship but also helped accelerate integration in college sports. Their courage, talent, and perseverance remain a powerful symbol of progress and equality, making the Miners one of the most influential teams in sports history.
Clint Dempsey – Soccer
Born March 9, 1983, in Nacogdoches, Texas, Clint Dempsey is widely regarded as one of the greatest American soccer players of all time. A dynamic forward and midfielder, Dempsey began his professional career with the New England Revolution before achieving international prominence with Fulham in the English Premier League, where he became the club’s all-time leading scorer and helped lead them to a historic UEFA Europa League final.
Dempsey later played for Tottenham Hotspur and returned to Major League Soccer with the Seattle Sounders, helping secure an MLS Cup in 2016. Internationally, he is tied with Landon Donovan as the all-time leading scorer for the U.S. Men’s National Team with 57 goals and was the first American to score in three World Cups (2006, 2010, 2014). He retired in 2018, leaving an enduring legacy as a pioneer for American soccer.
Chad Hedrick – Olympic Speed Skating
Born April 17, 1977, in Spring, Texas, Chad Hedrick is one of the most versatile and accomplished speed skaters in history. Before transitioning to ice, Hedrick dominated inline skating, earning 50 world championships and 93 national titles, and revolutionized the sport with his innovative “double push” technique.
After switching to ice speed skating in the early 2000s, Hedrick quickly rose to the elite level, winning the World Allround Championship in 2004. At the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, he captured gold (5000m), silver (10,000m), and bronze (1500m), then added two more medals at the 2010 Winter Olympics, becoming only the second Americanto win five Olympic medals in long-track speed skating. Beyond competition, Hedrick continues to inspire athletes through coaching, motivational speaking, and philanthropy.
Charmayne James – Rodeo
Born June 23, 1970, in Amarillo, Texas, and raised in Clayton, New Mexico, Charmayne James is widely regarded as the greatest barrel racer in rodeo history. Beginning her dominance at just 14 years old alongside her legendary horse Scamper, James won an unprecedented 11 Women’s Professional Rodeo Association world championships, including 10 consecutive titles from 1984–1993, and a final championship in 2002.
She became the first barrel racer to earn more than $1 million, captured seven National Finals Rodeo average titles, and delivered one of rodeo’s most iconic moments with her famous bridleless run at the NFR. Both James and Scamper are members of the ProRodeo Hall of Fame, cementing her legacy as a trailblazer and ambassador for the sport.