Site icon Chatham Journal Newspaper

Celebrating excellence: Meet the class of 2026 Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame

Winston-Salem, NC – Wake Forest Athletics and the Winston-Salem community proudly unveiled the Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame 2026 induction class.

This year’s class includes 2006 National Football Coach of the Year Jim Grobe, men’s basketball All-American Jeff Teague, women’s basketball legends Dearica Hamby and Lisa Stockton, field hockey great Anna Kozniuk, All-ACC football performer Brandon Chubb, former men’s soccer professional James Riley and North Carolina pioneer Gilbert McGregor.

Collectively, the Class of 2026 has attained numerous accomplishments throughout their time in Winston-Salem, combining for 401 wins, eight All-American honors, nine All-ACC selections and two ACC championships.

“It’s an honor to welcome this remarkable group into the Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame,” Dr. Peter Brubaker, Faculty Athletics Representative & Chair, Hall of Fame Committee said. “Their careers were defined by talent, determination, and leadership —and they each played a role in shaping the legacy of Wake Forest Athletics. I’m proud of our Selection Committee’s work and look forward to celebrating the achievements of these eight outstanding individuals whose impact continues to be felt throughout our campus and beyond.”

“Congratulations to the 2026 Hall of Fame inductees, whose extraordinary accomplishments have helped define Wake Forest Athletics and set a standard of excellence for all future Demon Deacons,” said Vice President & Director of Athletics John Currie. “This group represents the best of what it means to be a part of the Wake Forest community — resilient competitors, servant leaders, and proud ambassadors of our University. As we prepare to celebrate their legacies, we reflect on the spirit they’ve brought to Deacon Nation and the inspiration they continue to provide across generations.”

Stay tuned to GoDeacs.com for more information about the official date for enshrinement for this Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame class.

2026 Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame Inductees 

Jim Grobe, Football

Jeff Teague, Men’s Basketball

Dearica Hamby, Women’s Basketball

Lisa Stockton, Women’s Basketball

Anna Kozniuk, Field Hockey

Brandon Chubb, Football

James Riley, Men’s Soccer

Gilbert McGregor, Men’s Basketball

Co-authored an engaging memoir titled The Blind Truth alongside Tucker Mitchell

Rests as the first African-American, North Carolina native to sign with a Big Four men’s basketball program

Competed for the Demon Deacons men’s basketball team from 1968-71

Ranks eighth in career rebounds (850) throughout program history

Averaged 10.6 per game in 80 appearances across his three-year career

Stands sixth in career double-doubles (34)

One of just five players in school history to average a double-double for an entire season twice, as he accomplished the feat in 1969-70 (12.5 PPG and 10.6 RPG) and 1968-69 (12.6 PPG and 12.0 RPG)

Member of the 1,000-point club with 1,039

Averaged 13.0 points per game for his career

Led the team in rebounding all three seasons and posted the highest field goal percentage in his final two seasons at .509 and .531 in 1969-70 and 1970-71, respectively

Holds two of the 20-best season rebounding averages in program history with 12.0 (1968-69) and 10.6 (1969-70)

Finished his career with three 20-rebound performances, tied for fourth-most in school history

One of seven players in Demon Deacon history to post a 20/20 game

Became the ninth all-time Wake Forest player to be drafted into the National Basketball Association (NBA)

Selected by the Cincinnati Royals (now the Sacramento Kings) as the 89th pick of the 1971 draft

Worked as a sportscaster for the Charlotte Hornets and then-New Orleans Hornets (now known as the New Orleans Pelicans) on Cox Sports Television

Also served as an analyst for ACC basketball telecasts with Jefferson Pilot/Raycom Sports

Exit mobile version