The Jefferson County Sports Hall of Fame has announced its 2026 induction class, honoring a wide-ranging group of athletes, coaches and contributors whose achievements span multiple sports and levels, from high school to the professional ranks.
The 2026 Hall of Fame class features 20 inductees recognized for excellence in baseball, football, basketball, track and field, tennis, golf and bowling. Several inductees reached the professional level, while others made lasting impacts as collegiate standouts or community leaders in athletics.
Among the baseball honorees are Randy Curtis of the Philadelphia Phillies, Choo Freeman of the Colorado Rockies and Sedgwick McCollum, who starred at the University of Southern Mississippi. Don Thomas, a former University of Arkansas standout who later became a scout for the Atlanta Braves, is also included.
Football inductees include Reggie Wilkes of the Philadelphia Eagles, Frank Okam of the Houston Texans, Tyree Davis of the Canadian Football League, and Jimmy Culp of Southern Arkansas University. Bruce Maxwell, a former University of Arkansas football standout, will be honored in the Legends category.
Basketball standouts in the class include Jeff Webster of the Miami Heat, Robert Birden of the University of Arkansas, and Robert “Bob” McKenzie, also of Arkansas.
Track and field excellence is represented by Lisa Mays, a Pine Bluff High School All-American and record holder; Tracy Jones of Arkansas State University; Terri Banks of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff; J. Mayo “Ink” Williams of Brown University; and Randy Coleman of the University of Arkansas.
Additional inductees include Ray Pascale of Pine Bluff High School for tennis, Tommy Stobaugh for golf with 40 tournament championships, Lawrence Willis IV of Watson Chapel High School for bowling, and Buddy Owen of Northeast Louisiana University.
The Hall of Fame will also recognize several individuals in special categories. Ellis “Chief” Berry, Joe Ball and Harold Tilley headline the Greatest Coaches category, along with Frank Luchessi, who managed the Pine Bluff Judges and later coached at the Major League Baseball level with the Texas Rangers, Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies.
Lifetime Achievement Awards will be presented to Mike Drewett, longtime Pine Bluff Parks and Recreation director and former Chicago White Sox player; Winfred Smith of the Pine Bluff Braves semi-pro baseball program; and Pinchback Taylor Sr. for his contributions to youth sports and community development.
Eddie Bryan will receive the Jim Hill Lifetime Umpire Award for his work as a sports official and community leader.
The 1959 Pine Bluff Zebras baseball team, the city’s first state championship team, will be honored in the Greatest Teams category.
