The Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame has unveiled its 2026 class.
The seven-member class spans decades of excellence in athletics, from football legends and championship coaches to an Olympic gold medalist. Inductees include:
- Glen Collins – A first-team All-American defensive lineman at Mississippi State and a first-round draft pick of the Cincinnati Bengals in 1982, Collins enjoyed a five-year NFL career that included time with the San Francisco 49ers. The Jackson native was named an SEC Football Legend in 2013 and selected to Mississippi State’s All-Century Team in 2014.
- Louis Guy – An All-SEC performer at Ole Miss, Guy helped lead the Rebels to national and SEC championships in the early 1960s and went on to play professionally with the New York Giants and Oakland Raiders. Following his playing days, he built a successful career as a Jackson-area orthodontist and community leader.
- Michael Haddix – A two-time All-SEC running back at Mississippi State and the eighth overall pick in the 1983 NFL Draft, Haddix played eight seasons in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers. His career average of 6.0 yards per carry remains a Mississippi State record.
- Bobby Halford – The longtime William Carey University baseball coach has amassed more than 1,300 career wins, seventh-most in NAIA history, and guided his Crusaders to 19 conference titles, 26 national tournament appearances, and two NAIA World Series semifinal runs. He was named NAIA Coach of the Year in 2017.
- Ronnie Mayers – A swimming and diving coach and later athletic director at Delta State University, Mayers led his teams to 11 conference titles, 15 NCAA championship appearances, and produced 56 All-Americans. The Delta State aquatics facility proudly bears his name.
- Johnny Parker – A renowned strength and conditioning leader, Parker coached for 35 years at the college and professional levels, winning three Super Bowl rings with the New York Giants and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His innovative training methods influenced generations of coaches and athletes nationwide.
- Brittney Reese – One of the most decorated athletes in Mississippi history, Reese is a four-time Olympian and seven-time world champion in the long jump. The Gulfport native won Olympic gold in 2012 and silver medals in 2016 and 2021. A two-time NCAA champion at Ole Miss, she remains among the greatest long jumpers in world history.
“Each of these honorees has elevated Mississippi athletics on a national and even international stage,” Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame executive director Andrea Patterson said. “Their impact extends beyond their wins and records. They represent the perseverance, leadership, and integrity that define Mississippi sports.”
Inductees will be formally enshrined during a ceremony weekend scheduled for July 31 to August 1, 2026. Tickets to the event will go on sale in January 2026. A full list of Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame members can be found here.
