Huntsville-Madison County Athletic Hall of Fame Reveals 2026 Class

The Huntsville-Madison County Athletic Hall of Fame has officially announced its induction class for 2026, comprising twelve distinguished athletes and contributors to sports. This year’s banquet will take place on April 13, 2026, at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Alabama, where the inductees will be honored for their remarkable achievements on and off the field.

Among the notable inductees is James Willis, a former linebacker for the Auburn Tigers and a graduate of J.O. Johnson High School. Willis enjoyed a successful seven-season career in the NFL before transitioning to coaching. Also recognized is Donnie Humphrey, another J.O. Johnson and Auburn alum, who was part of the Tigers’ 1983 SEC championship team. Humphrey was drafted by the Green Bay Packers and tragically passed away in 2014.

The class includes a diverse array of talent, such as Bechtel, a Grissom High School alum who made history as the first Olympian from Penn State, representing Nigeria at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Bechtel now competes in Masters track and holds two world records.

Another significant honoree is Benson, who had a 23-year career as a sports writer for the Huntsville Times, focusing primarily on Alabama A&M University and the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH). His contributions to local sports journalism have left a lasting impact on the community.

The inductees also include Cummings, who holds the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) state record for assists from her time at Butler High School. She achieved three consecutive state titles during her illustrious basketball career.

Another standout is Gordon, a J.O. Johnson graduate recently inducted into the Grambling State Hall of Fame. As the all-time leading receiver for the program, he was named an All-Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) selection before embarking on a professional career in the USFL and Canadian League.

The class also honors Hammonds, an All-American baseball player at Stanford and a first-round draft pick by the Baltimore Orioles. Hammonds played in the major leagues for 13 years, earning one All-Star selection and representing the U.S. Olympic team in 1992.

Jones, who spent twelve seasons as head football coach at Alabama A&M, is also set to be honored. With an overall record of 83-57, he is the second-winningest coach in the program’s history and won a Super Bowl with Washington after a successful collegiate career at Wichita State.

Among the other inductees is a remarkable softball player who excelled in the Gulf South Conference, achieving three-time All-American status and being recognized as the Player of the Decade by the Gulf South Conference.

The class also includes a talented bowler from Alabama A&M, recognized as a three-time All-America bowler and named SWAC Bowler of the Year in 2007.

The Huntsville-Madison County Athletic Hall of Fame continues to celebrate the extraordinary contributions of these athletes, ensuring their legacies inspire future generations. The upcoming banquet promises to be a memorable occasion, honoring the vibrant sports culture of the region.