2026 Banquet and Inductees

118 days to the event
68th Annual Induction BANQUET (Friday)
Fri, Apr 10
Oaklawn Event Center Ballroom
BANQUET: Friday, April 10, 2026 – Cocktail Reception 5:30 PM – Doors Open 6:00 PM – Ceremony – 6:30 PM, Oaklawn Event Center, Oaklawn, Hot Springs, AR Dress Code: Business or Semi-Formal
Buy Tickets
117 days to the event
Meet the Stars VIP RECEPTION (Thursday)
Thu, Apr 09
Mainline Sports Bar
Thursday, April 9th, 2026 5:30 – 7:30 pm Mainline Sports Bar 2705 Central Avenue Hot Springs, AR 71901 *Enter the restaurant through the casino or the doors from Central Avenue (American Pharoah Entrance) on the racing side Dress Code: Business Casual Banquet Ticket (Friday) sold separately
Buy Tickets

Introducing the 2026 ASHOF Inductees!

BROWN, NATHAN (DOB: August 19, 1986) – Football

Nathan Brown, a native of Russellville, has made a significant impact on the University of Central Arkansas (UCA) football program, both as a player and a coach. Currently serving as the head football coach, Brown has guided the Bears to four of the top six total offense seasons in school history, while also serving as the starting quarterback during the other two seasons. His influence extends to the passing game, having played or coached in seven of the top ten passing offensive seasons for the program.Throughout his tenure at UCA, Brown has contributed to three Southland Conference championships. He was instrumental as a player during the 2008 championship and continued his success as an assistant coach, helping secure titles in both 2012 and 2017. Brown’s postseason experience is equally impressive; he has played a role in all four of UCA’s NCAA postseason playoff victories—participating as a player in two Division II wins and as a coach in two FCS victories. Brown’s collegiate career was marked by outstanding achievements. A three-time All-American, he set state records by passing for 10,558 yards and 100 touchdowns—both benchmarks for collegiate quarterbacks in Arkansas. With Brown leading as the starting quarterback, the Bears compiled a remarkable 30-10 record. His individual accolades include being named the Southland Conference Offensive Player of the Year in 2007 and the Southland Conference Player of the Year in 2008, the same year he was also a finalist for the prestigious Walter Payton Award. Brown holds school records for the most touchdown passes in a single game (7) and the most yards of total offense in a game (490). Before UCA’s transition to Division I in 2006, Brown was honored as the Gulf South Conference Freshman of the Year in 2005. He became UCA's first player to earn an invitation to the Senior Bowl All-Star game in the NCAA Division I era, where he finished as the leading passer in the 2009 contest. That same year, he was also selected to participate in the East-West Shrine Game and invited to the Senior Bowl. Brown’s professional pursuits included free-agent signings with both the Jacksonville Jaguars and New Orleans Saints. In recognition of his remarkable career and contributions, Brown was inducted into the UCA Sports Hall of Fame in 2016.

CELLA, LOUIS (DOB: May 19, 1965) - Thoroughbred Racing

Louis A. Cella, is a prominent figure in the world of thoroughbred racing. A 1990 graduate of the University of Arkansas Law School, Cella was appointed President of the Oaklawn Jockey Club on December 20, 2017, succeeding his late father, Charles J. Cella. His appointment marked the continuation of a family legacy, as he became the third generation of his family to serve on the board of the Thoroughbred Racing Association (TRA). His grandfather, John G. Cella, previously served as president of the organization from 1959 to 1960, and his father held the same position in 1975 and 1976.In addition to his role at Oaklawn, Cella serves as a director of the Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau (T.R.P.B.) and was elected to The Jockey Club, an organization responsible for establishing recommended standards for the thoroughbred horse-racing industry. His influence extends further, as he joined the board of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 2018. Cella also contributes to industry oversight and research through his membership on the Equibase Management Committee and as Director of the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation. Cella’s dedication to the sport and the state was recognized with his induction into the Arkansas Tourism Hall of Fame in 2022. Additionally, he was named the 2020 Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Sportsman of the Year. During the Covid-19 pandemic He safely continued live racing while most of the country’s racing industry shut down. Cella was also named Arkansas Press Association 2019 Headliner of the Yeas. Since becoming President of Oaklawn, Cella has overseen a transformative $100 million expansion, representing one of the largest hospitality investments in Arkansas history. Completed in 2021, the expansion introduced a luxury hotel, a multipurpose event center, an expanded casino, a spa, additional dining venues, and on-site parking, further solidifying Oaklawn’s reputation as a premier destination for racing and hospitality in the region. Cella was named the 2025 Arkansas Alumni Association Johnson Fellow. In this role Cella visited classrooms and lecture halls, sharing his knowledge of hospitality, tourism, thoroughbred husbandry and racing, legal aspects of business and real estate. His contributions to Arkansas Tourism can be seen in his management of Oaklawn, one of the most prominent tourist attractions in the state, with more than 3 million visitors annually. In addition to the annual direct taxes of more than $40 million to the state, city and county, the creation of the Oaklawn Foundation in 2006, an independent foundation benefiting health and education programs in the community, has given more than $14 million since its inception.

COLLINS, ALEX (DOB: August 26th, 1994 – August 13, 2023 POST) – Football

Alex Collins signed with the University of Arkansas Razorbacks in 2013 and immediately made history, becoming the first freshman in Southeastern Conference (SEC) history to rush for 100 yards in each of his first three games. Collins concluded his freshman season with a total of 1,026 rushing yards, which earned him SEC Freshman of the Year honors as well as Freshman All-America recognition. Building on his early success, Collins rushed for 1,100 yards as a sophomore. His junior year in 2015 was his most outstanding season, serving as the Razorbacks' primary running back and accumulating 1,577 rushing yards—the most by any Arkansas player except Darren McFadden. That season, Collins broke a 46-year-old school record by scoring 20 rushing touchdowns and achieved 10 games with at least 100 rushing yards, tying the single-season school record. His efforts led to him being named a consensus second-team All-SEC selection. Collins joined an elite group with Darren McFadden and Herschel Walker as the only players in SEC history to rush for 1,000 yards in each of their first three collegiate seasons. Over his Arkansas career, Collins recorded 3,703 rushing yards and 17 games with at least 100 rushing yards, ranking second only to McFadden in school history. His 36 career touchdowns place him fourth all-time at Arkansas. Collins was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft. In 2020, Collins rejoined the Seattle Seahawks, signing to their practice squad and being elevated to the active roster for several games, including the team's wild card playoff appearance. He reverted to the practice squad after each game, and his contract expired at the end of the 2020 season. Collins re-signed with the Seahawks in February 2021. Alex Collins tragically died in a motorcycle accident on August 13, 2023.

COMPTON, VAN (DOB: July 9, 1944) – Coaching

Van Compton enters her 38th season as head coach of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Volleyball program in 2025, marking an extraordinary career spanning 45 seasons. Her overall coaching record stands at 659-592 (.527), with a 587-512 (.534) record specifically at Little Rock. Under Compton's leadership, the Trojans have captured four regular season Sun Belt Conference championships, five tournament championships, and have made six postseason appearances, including five NCAA Tournament berths. Notably, the team reached the NCAA Second Round in 2014. Compton's impact on collegiate volleyball is evident by her ranking as the 8th winningest active Division I coach in career wins and her status as the all-time winningest coach in Sun Belt Conference history. She concluded her tenure in the league with a remarkable 261-180 (.592) record in Sun Belt play following Little Rock’s transition to the Ohio Valley Conference in 2021. Since Little Rock joined the Sun Belt Conference in 1991, the Trojans, under Compton’s guidance, remain the only team to win three consecutive conference tournament titles. In 1996, Compton led the team to its first-ever Sun Belt Conference title and subsequent NCAA Tournament appearance. The following years saw continued success: in 1997, despite numerous injuries, the team won its first regular season title and a second consecutive tournament title, advancing again to the NCAA Tournament. In 1998, Little Rock made Sun Belt history with a third straight tournament title and another NCAA appearance. The success continued in 1999 with a shared regular season title, and in 2000, the program won both regular-season and tournament titles, advancing to the NCAA tournament in Gainesville, Florida. Throughout Compton’s tenure, University of Arkansas at Little Rock reached the conference tournament in 23 out of 25 seasons as a Sun Belt member. Her coaching excellence was recognized in 1993 when she was named Sun Belt Coach of the Year after leading the Trojans to a 24-12 record and a second-place finish in the conference.

DOOHAN, PETER (DOB: May 2, 1961 – July 21, 2017 POST) – Tennis

Peter Doohan stands out as a trailblazer in University of Arkansas tennis history, being the first player to earn All-American honors in four consecutive years. Doohan’s collegiate career was marked by extraordinary achievements, most notably when he partnered with Pat Serret to secure the NCAA doubles championship in 1982. The duo’s exceptional performance established them as one of only two UA doubles teams ever to attain the nation’s top ranking. Their success also included finishing as national doubles runners-up in 1981. Throughout his time at Arkansas, Doohan consistently demonstrated his prowess on the court. He was named an All-American in 1980, 1981, 1982, and 1983. His legacy is underscored by his top position on the UA career doubles winning percentage chart (.780) and his third-place ranking for career doubles victories with 96 wins. Doohan’s remarkable single-season doubles winning percentages—.857 (30-5) in 1980 and .840 (21-4) in 1981—remain among the best in school history, ranking as the third and fifth highest marks, respectively. His individual accomplishments also include Southwest Conference titles at No. 2 singles in 1981 and No. 3 singles in 1982, as well as No. 1 doubles conference crowns in both 1980 and 1983. Doohan’s collegiate tenure contributed to an impressive team record for the Razorbacks, who compiled a dual match record of 105-25 and made four consecutive appearances in the NCAA Tournament during his four years with the program. Following his stellar collegiate career, Doohan made a name for himself on the professional circuit. At Wimbledon in 1987, ranked 70th in the world, he achieved a career-defining victory by defeating Boris Becker, the two-time defending Wimbledon champion, in the third round. In doubles, Doohan reached the semi-finals at Wimbledon in 1984 and was a finalist at the Australian Open in 1987. In recognition of his contributions and achievements, Peter Doohan was inducted into the UA Sports Hall of Honor in 2004. After battling ALS, he passed away in 2017. He was posthumously inducted into the Southwest Conference Hall of Fame in 2018, further cementing his legacy in Arkansas and collegiate tennis history.

HANEY, JIM (DOB: August 16, 1946) – Basketball

Jim Haney distinguished himself as a collegiate basketball player at Arkansas College (now Lyon College) from 1965 to 1968. During his remarkable career, Haney earned First Team All-Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference (All-AIC) honors in three consecutive years: 1966, 1967, and 1968. Haney’s scoring prowess is reflected in the Arkansas College record books. He currently ranks fourth all-time in career points with a total of 1,892. Additionally, he holds the third and sixth spots for most points in a single season, recording 639 points during the 1967-68 season and 616 points in the 1966-67 season. Haney’s contributions and achievements have been recognized with his induction into the Arkansas College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1984 and the Batesville Area Athletic Hall of Fame in 1998. Beyond his collegiate career, Haney played in the National AAU Basketball Tournament in 1968 with Carder Buick, showcasing his talent at a national level. He also competed in the National Semi-Pro Baseball Tournament in Wichita, Kansas, representing the Batesville, Arkansas team. After his playing days, Haney transitioned into coaching, serving as head basketball coach at Salem, Jonesboro, and Highland, further impacting the sport through leadership and mentorship.

HARDMAN, LEE (DOB: November 14, 1949) – Coaching

Lee Hardman, a native of Stuttgart, Arkansas, made his mark as a standout defensive back at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) from 1968 to 1971. Following his collegiate playing career, Hardman transitioned into coaching, where he established an extraordinary legacy at Pine Bluff Dollarway High School. There, he oversaw one of the most dominant dynasties in Arkansas high school football history, leading the team to four state championships. During his final five seasons at Dollarway, Hardman's teams compiled an astonishing 63-1 record, highlighted by an impressive 51-game winning streak. In 1992, Hardman was approached by his alma mater, UAPB, to take over as head football coach. Although initially hesitant to leave Dollarway, he accepted the position and went on to lead the Golden Lions for 12 seasons. Under his leadership, UAPB achieved notable success, including back-to-back 8-3 records in the 1997 and 1998 seasons. Hardman concluded his collegiate coaching career at UAPB following the 2003 season, finishing with an overall record of 63 wins and 57 losses.

JAMES, JERRY “BUCK” (DOB: November 13, 1963) - Coaching

Jerry “Buck” James, boasts a distinguished career in high school football coaching. As a student-athlete, James was a four-year letterman at offensive tackle for the University of Arkansas – Monticello, competing from 1983 to 1987. Upon completing his collegiate career, James began his coaching journey at Monticello High School. James subsequently advanced to head coaching roles at Star City, Camden Fairview, and Bryant High Schools, amassing a remarkable record of success. Over the course of his career, he has secured 7 overall championship titles—one with Camden Fairview and five with Bryant. Notably, his Camden Fairview teams were state runners-up on three occasions. Combining his time at Star City and Camden Fairview, James led his teams to an outstanding record of 132-28. In addition to winning state titles, Currently, Coach James holds 14 Conference Coach of the Year awards and has guided his teams to 13 Conference Championships. His honors also include the Little Rock Touchdown Club Coach of the Year, three Hooten’s Coach of the Year awards, the Lowell Manning Award, the KATV/Red River Dodge Coach of the Year, the KATV/Coleman Dairy Coach of the Year, and the AAA Coach of the Year distinction. Demonstrating exceptional success at the highest level, Coach James has won a total of seven state championship titles, including five consecutive State Championships at the 7A classification—the highest division in the state. He has led his teams to nine State Championship appearances overall and achieved a remarkable 54-game in-state winning streak, underscoring his legacy as one of the most accomplished high school football coaches in Arkansas. Through the 2021 season, James’s overall head coaching record stands at an impressive 198-52, highlighted by a 68-9 mark in six years at Bryant. In recognition of his achievements, he was inducted into the University of Arkansas – Monticello Hall of Fame in 2015.In 2023, James transitioned from Bryant to take on the Head Football Coach position at Conway Public Schools. Continuing his legacy of success, he led Conway to the state semifinals in his first year at the helm. In 2024 James led the Conway to the third round of the Playoffs and currently James and his team are playing in the second round of the state playoffs.

LEAK, ERICA (DOB: November 29, 1982) – Basketball

Erica Leak, hailing from Wheatley, Arkansas, distinguished herself as an outstanding basketball player from an early age. In 2001, she garnered numerous accolades, including being named the Gatorade Player of the Year, earning Parade All-America honors, and receiving the Arkansas All-Star MVP award. That same year, her leadership and skill propelled Palestine-Wheatley to a state championship, cementing her status as one of the top high school athletes in the state. Leak was also selected to play on the 2000 USA U19 Qualifying Olympic Team, where she was coached by the legendary Geno Auriemma. Leak continued her basketball career at the collegiate level with Louisiana Tech, where she was recognized as the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Freshman of the Year. Throughout her four seasons, she played a pivotal role in the team's success, helping Louisiana Tech capture four consecutive WAC Championships and secure four NCAA Tournament appearances. Her professional journey began when she was selected as the 19th overall pick by the Washington Mystics in the 2005 WNBA Draft. Following a successful stint in the WNBA, Leak transitioned to coaching, first taking up positions at Forrest City and then at West Memphis. Her coaching abilities were highlighted in 2023 when she led West Memphis to its first state final since 2003, earning her the title of Arkansas High School Coach of the Year. In 2024, Leak advanced her coaching career by being appointed head basketball coach at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB).

LUKAS, D. WAYNE (DOB: September 2, 1935 – June 28, 2025 POST) – Thoroughbred Racing

D. Wayne Lukas is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished horse trainers in American racing history. Inducted into the U.S. Racing Hall of Fame, Lukas has established a legacy defined by remarkable achievements and industry milestones. Lukas began his career training quarter horses in California in 1968. Over the course of a decade, he trained 24 world champions, demonstrating his exceptional skills and earning significant recognition. In 1978, he transitioned to training thoroughbreds, a move that Lukas was the first trainer to surpass $100 million in purse earnings, a testament to his sustained success and impact on the industry. He topped the annual money-winning trainer list 14 times, reflecting his consistent excellence and dominance in horse racing. His breakthrough came in 1980 when he won the Preakness Stakes with Codex. Lukas’s horses have achieved notable victories in all three Triple Crown races: four Kentucky Derby wins, seven Preakness Stakes wins, and four Belmont Stakes wins. In 1995, he made history by sweeping all three Classics with two different horses—Thunder Gulch (Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes) and Timber Country (Preakness)—becoming the first trainer to accomplish this feat in a single season. By 2013, Lukas surpassed Sunny Jim Fitzsimmons with a record 14 Triple Crown race victories. Lukas has won a record 20 Breeders' Cup races and his fillies have captured the Kentucky Oaks four times. He has received five Eclipse Awards for his accomplishments, and his horses have garnered 25 year-end Eclipse Awards, including three Horse of the Year titles for Lady's Secret (1986), Criminal Type (1990), and Charismatic (1999). Honoring his contributions to the sport, Lukas was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1999 and the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame in 2007, making him the first individual to be inducted into both the Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse halls of fame. His career was further recognized in 2013 with the Eclipse Award of Merit for his achievements and the Golden Plate Award from the American Academy of Achievement in 1988.

WILLIAMS, DEANGELO (DOB: April 25, 1983) – Football

DeAngelo Williams began his football career at Wynne High School, where he quickly distinguished himself as a standout athlete. In his junior year in 2000, Williams was honored as a member of the Arkansas All-State team, showcasing his talent and potential on the field. During his senior year, he set a remarkable single season rushing record, amassing 2,204 yards and scoring 34 touchdowns, with an impressive average of 10.4 yards per carry. Williams’s leadership and performance were instrumental in guiding his team to the state 4A championship. In recognition of his outstanding achievements in 2001, Williams received several accolades. He was named the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Offensive Player of the Year and was selected for the Associated Press Arkansas Super Team. Nationally, he was ranked as the 25th best running back prospect and the second overall prospect in Arkansas. Williams also earned spots on the All-America and All-Region Teams by SuperPrep, affirming his status as one of the top high school football players in the country. Williams continued his football journey at Memphis University from 2002 to 2005. During his collegiate career, he set the Division I NCAA record for 100-yard rushing games, achieving this feat a total of 34 times. In 2004, his excellence on the field earned him selection to the Pro Football Weekly All-America Team. These accomplishments solidified Williams’s reputation as one of the premier running backs in college football. Williams was a First team All-American in 2005, a three time C-USA Offensive Player of the year (2003-2005), also the same years a First team All C-USA player. In 2005 Williams was also a finalist for the Doak Walker Award and came in seventh overall in the Heisman Trophy voting. That same year Williams was named the inaugural winner of the ARA Sportsmanship Award. Williams finished his collegiate career with 6,026 rushing yards and 55 touchdowns. Starting in 2012, Memphis named their “Most Valuable Player” award as the “DeAngelo Williams MVP Award” this is an award given out annually at their football banquets. In 2023 Williams was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, he was also selected to the M Club Hall of Fame in 2014 and He was an inaugural member of the C-Uss Hall of Fame in 2019 Williams entered the National Football League in 2006, when he was selected in the first round as the 27th overall pick by the Carolina Panthers. He played nine seasons with the Panthers, establishing himself as a key contributor to the team before retiring in 2015. Following his tenure with Carolina, Williams signed a two-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He played for Pittsburgh during the 2015 and 2016 seasons. In June 2018, DeAngelo Williams officially announced his retirement from professional football. In Williams 11-year NFL career he totaled 8,238 rushing yards, 2,165 receiving yards, and 71 total touchdowns. DeAngelo Williams, known for his football career, briefly pursued professional wrestling. He first appeared on Impact Wrestling in April 2017 and debuted at Slammiversary XV that July, teaming with Moose for a win in a widely praised match. Despite the acclaim, Williams retired from wrestling three days later but briefly returned to Impact Wrestling in 2018. In January 2024, he reappeared at TNA Hard to Kill as part of "The System," helping Moose secure the TNA World Championship. DeAngelo Williams, with support from the NFL, is recognized as a catalyst for initiating the league's breast cancer awareness program and the well-known tradition of players wearing pink accessories during games. Motivated by his personal connection to the cause, Williams actively collaborates with the Susan G. Komen organization and expresses his ongoing commitment by incorporating pink highlights into his dreadlocks as a visible symbol of his support in the fight against breast cancer. Demonstrating his dedication to raising awareness and providing tangible assistance, Williams sponsored 500 mammograms in October 2019 as a tribute to his mother.