Star-studded class of 9 to be inducted into Virginia Sports Hall of Fame during Henrico ceremony

One of the biggest sports celebrations in Virginia is headed to Henrico County next spring.

The Virginia Sports Hall of Fame will host its 53rd Induction Ceremony and related public events at the Hilton Richmond Hotel & Spa/Short Pump on Saturday, April 25, welcoming some of the state's most accomplished names in athletics, coaching and administration, and sports storytelling to the county for a full day of festivities.

Hall of Fame officials announced the Class of 2026 Dec. 10, and VSHOF Executive Director Bruce Rader called it one of the most prestigious groups ever assembled by the organization. It includes national champions, Olympic gold medalists, NBA and NFL stars, and transformational leaders whose impact has shaped sports across Virginia and the nation.

Among the inductees are:

• Grant Hill, one of his generation's top basketball players, who starred at South Lakes High School in Reston before winning two NCAA titles at Duke University and becoming a seven-time all-star in the NBA;

• Michael Vick, who rose to stardom as a quarterback at Virginia Tech and later in the NFL;

• Tony Bennett, who as head coach led the University of Virginia to its first men's basketball national championship in 2019;

• Marcellus "Boo" Williams, a nationally renowned youth basketball coach and founder of the Boo Williams Sportsplex, who has shaped the development of generations of boys’ and girls’ players.

• Bobby Ukrop, a former standout basketball player at the University of Richmond who helped found Sports Backers and contributed to the development of The Diamond and statewide water safety programs among many other leadership and philanthropic efforts.

Other inductees are:

• Wally Walker, who helped elevate UVA basketball in the 1970s and later starred in the NBA for eight years, winning two titles, before becoming president of the Seattle SuperSonics;

• Kristi Toliver, one of the state’s most decorated female basketball players and winner of the 2009 ACC Player of the Year and national championship with the University of Maryland, prior to a WNBA career during which she won two titles;

• Terry Driscoll, a former first-round NBA draft pick and later the longtime athletics director at William & Mary, where teams won 114 conference championships during his 22-year tenure;

• Roland Lazenby, an award-winning author of more than 60 sports books who is widely regarded as an authority on basketball, with renowned biographies on Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.

“From championship performers to visionary leaders and storytellers, this group embodies the Hall’s core values of recognition, impact and integrity,” Rader said.

The Henrico Sports & Entertainment Authority is partnering with the Hall to host this year’s induction weekend.

Public events will begin Saturday morning with a “Breakfast with Champions” conversational program and autograph session, followed by the Hall of Fame Reception and Induction ceremony that evening — all taking place in Henrico.

Tickets and sponsorship packages, expected to sell out, are available online at
https://vasportshof.com/2026-induction-weekend-event-info/

Additional details about the induction weekend, including programming updates and sponsorship opportunities, will be announced in the coming months.

The Virginia Sports Hall of Fame was established in 1972, continues its mission to honor Virginia’s sports excellence while inspiring fans through engaging events—none more significant this year than the upcoming celebration in Henrico.