Ashof Inductees — 2026 Alabama Sports Hall of Fame Class. (Pat Byington / Bham Now)

On Saturday night, the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame (ASHOF) inducted the Class of 2026.

Established in 1969, this is the 58th class inducted into the Alabama Hall of Fame. The eight newly elected members bring the total of inductees to 417.

“When you think of a Hall of Fame, It really comes down to two things. Number one, space. Our Space is amazing. We’ve got 33,000 square feet. We have over 6000-7000 items of memorabilia. Our space is second to none.

But the most important thing is the inductees. When you look top to bottom we have the finest list of inductees anywhere. I used to say, anywhere in the country, but really anywhere in the world. To have a Hall of Fame with this level of inductees is pretty remarkable.
Scott Myers, Executive Director ASHOF

Alabama Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2026

Below are short descriptions of this year’s inductees and photos of their displays and memorabilia.

JEFF BRANTLEY – BASEBALL — Born in Florence, Brantley grew up in Hoover, Alabama. As a pitcher, he led the Mississippi State Bulldogs to the 1985 College World Series. He is tied for the most career pitching wins in SEC history with 45 wins.

Highlights:

Played in the 1989 MLB World Series for the San Francisco Giants.
Led the National League in saves in 1996 and was named the NL Rolaids Relief Man Award winner
Played with the St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies, and Texas Rangers in his 14-year MLB career.

He has worked with the Cincinnati Reds radio and television broadcast teams since 2006.

JASON CAMPBELL – FOOTBALL — A three-year starting quarterback at Auburn University, Campbell led Auburn to an undefeated season, the SEC Championship, and the Sugar Bowl. He was named MVP of both those games. His 2004 team was recently recognized as national champions.

Highlights:

Played five seasons with the Washington Redskins
Also played with the Oakland Raiders, Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, and Cincinnati Bengals
Passed for over 16,000 yards and 87 touchdowns in ten seasons in the NFL.

JOHN COPELAND – FOOTBALL — Born in Lanett, Alabama, Copeland played for University of Alabama between 1991-1992. In his senior year, Copeland helped lead his team to a national championship victory and was also named a consensus All-American.

Other highlights:

Drafted fifth overall by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 1993 NFL Draft.
Named to the All-Rookie Team following his first year in Cincinnati.
Spent his entire eight-year career with the Bengals and finished his career with 24 sacks, nine forced fumbles, three interceptions, and one touchdown.

KIM EVANS – GOLF – COACHING — Born in Decatur, AL. Evans played golf at Auburn University from 1977-1981. She was named Auburn’s women’s head golf coach in 1994 and remained at the helm for 21 years.

Highlights:

Led Auburn to eight SEC championship titles and coached seven SEC Players of the Year.
During her stint, Auburn made 14 NCAA Tournament appearances and finished among the Top 10 NCAA programs seven times.
Five-time SEC Coach of the Year
In 2002, she won the Golf Coaches Association National Coach of the Year Award,
Inducted into the National Golf Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2008.

EVAN MATHIS – FOOTBALL — Birmingham native Mathis started his first three seasons at the University of Alabama as an offensive tackle, before transitioning to left guard his senior season. As a senior, he was named First-Team All-SEC.

Highlights:

Selected by the Carolina Panthers in 2005 NFL Draft.
During his 12-year NFL career he played for the Carolina Panthers, Miami Dolphins, Cincinnati Bengals, Philadelphia Eagles, Denver Broncos, and the Arizona Cardinals
Named First-Team All-Pro in 2013 and was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2013 and 2014
A member of the Denver Broncos’ Super Bowl 50 championship team in 2016.

RAY ODUMS – BASKETBALL – FOOTBALL — Birmingham native, Odums from 1970-1973, Odums played both basketball and football at the University of Alabama. He was named Third Team All-SEC following the 1972-73 basketball season. Odums was a member of the first all-black starting basketball lineup in SEC history on December 28, 1973 against the University of Louisville.

Highlights:

Won the 1973-74 SEC regular season championship.
Became Alabama’s all-time assist leader.
Odums played ten seasons in the Canadian Football League with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Saskatchewan Roughriders, and Calgary Stampeders
Three-time CFL All-Star.

LORRAINE “LES” STUEDEMAN – SOFTBALL – COACHING — Born in Tuscaloosa, Stuedeman was named the first softball coach at the University of Alabama-Huntsville.

Inductee Display — Les Studeman, 2026 ASHOF Inductee. (Pat Byington / Bham Now)

Highlights:

In 30 seasons, she guided UAH to 1,297 wins, nine conference titles, and has appeared in 26 NCAA Tournaments.
Named 10-time Gulf South Conference Coach of the Year
Won the Gulf South Conference Coach of the Decade Award in 2010 and 2020.

TOMMY TUBERVILLE – FOOTBALL – COACHING — A native of Arkansas, Tuberville is known for his successful tenure as head coach of Auburn University. In 2004, Tuberville led the Tigers to an undefeated season and a Sugar Bowl victory over Virginia Tech.

Highlights:

Led the Tigers to six consecutive Iron Bowl wins
Five SEC Western division titles.

2004 team was recently recognized as national champions
At Miami, he was part of three national championship teams—1987, 1989, and 1991.
Retired as one of the ‘Top 50 Most Winning Coaches of All Time’ with an overall record of 159-99.

Additional ASHOF honorees:

Rece Davis – Distinguished American Sportsman

Mike Turk – Starr-Sullivan Achievement Award

Jon Johnson – Mel Allen Media Award

Davis sums up the importance and meaning of the induction for him and his fellow honorees

Rece Davis, Muscle Shoals native and UA grad.

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