This summer, 12 accomplished athletes, coaches and contributors will be inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2026, who have left a lasting impact on sports across the state.
This year’s inductees include John Brady, Sylvia Fowles, Joe Horn, Jonathan Lucroy, Todd McClure, Mike McConathy, Warren Morris, Dewain Strother, Pat Williams, Kathy Holloway, John James Marshall and Gil Lebeton. The induction celebration will happen over three days, June 25-27, at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in Natchitoches.
The inductees represent a wide range of Louisiana programs and teams, including Louisiana State University, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Louisiana Tech University, University of Louisiana at Monroe, Nicholls State University, Northwestern State University of Louisiana, Southeastern Louisiana University, McNeese State University, Tulane University, Grambling State University, University of New Orleans, New Orleans Pelicans and New Orleans Saints.
John Brady built a 25-year collegiate coaching career by leading the LSU Tigers men’s basketball team to the 2006 Final Four. He was the third men’s basketball coach to lead the Tigers to the Final Four. He coached for over 10 seasons at LSU, leading the Tigers to four National Collegiate Athletic Association tournaments and two National Invitation Tournament berths.
Sylvia Fowles, LSU women’s basketball center, won four Olympic gold medals with Team USA and helped LSU to four consecutive Final Fours appearances. Fowles was inducted into both the Women’s Basketball and Naismith Memorial Basketball halls of fame.
John Horn, Saints’ wide receiver for seven seasons, helped the Saints win the National Football Conference South title. He set franchise records, including single-season receiving yards (1,399 in 2024) and single-season receiving touchdowns (11 in 2004).
Jonathan Lucroy, a former ULL baseball player, made his mark in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Milwaukee Brewers, as well as playing in the 2013 and 2017 World Baseball Classics for Team USA.
Baton Rouge native Todd McClure played four seasons as LSU football’s center before embarking on a 14-year National Football League career with the Atlanta Falcons. He earned a spot in the Falcons’ Ring of Honor in 2022.
Mike McConathy is known for his long tenure as head coach of NSU men’s basketball. In his 23 seasons at NSU, he led the team to 330 wins and brought over $5 million to the university’s athletic budget.
An Alexandria native, Warren Morris is remembered for hitting a two-out 9th inning home run that won the 1996 College World Series for LSU baseball. After his time at LSU, he was drafted by the Texas Rangers but later traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Dewain Strother coached girls’ basketball at Florien High School for 40 years. Under his leadership, Florien took home six state championships in its 21 Final Four appearances.
A Monroe native, Pat Williams played 14 NFL seasons for the Buffalo Bills and Minnesota Vikings. He was also voted to the Pro Bowl for three consecutive years (2006-2008). Williams was ranked in the top 100 players in Bills and Vikings history.
Kathy Holloway, the Louisiana High School Coaches Association’s first female president, will be honored with the Dave Dixon Award. Holloway is a 2012 National High School Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame inductee.
John James Marshall is honored for his impact in sports media by being presented with the Distinguished Service Award in Sports Journalism. He began his career at 15 years old, covering American Legion baseball games for the Shreveport Times. He became the youngest to serve as the Louisiana Sports Writers Association President.
A longtime sportswriter, Gil LeBreton is being presented the Distinguished Service Award in Sports Journalism. His work covering Louisiana sports has helped tell the stories of athletes and teams across the state. He has written for the Times-Picayune, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the Baton Rouge Morning Advocate and other media organizations, covering large events such as the Olympic Games.
The welcome reception will be held on June 25. June 26 will bring a bowling bash, taste of tailgating and Rockin’ River Fest, and June 27 will host the Junior Training Camp, Round Table Lunch and Induction Ceremony.
