The Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame inducted its Class of 2026 on Saturday, July 11, 2026, in Nashville, celebrating eight individuals whose careers trace a wide sweep of the state’s athletic tradition from college fields to international competition.
Notable inductees represent multiple eras and levels
Among those honored were former University of Tennessee standout and two-time Olympic silver medalist Monica Abbott and former Vols and NFL tight end Jason Witten. The class also included former Middle Tennessee State men’s basketball coach Kermit Davis; former Vanderbilt athletic director and Tennessean of the Year recipient Candice Storey Lee; former NBA player Ron Mercer; and former University of Tennessee offensive lineman and NFL player Charles McRae.
The induction ceremony drew past teammates, colleagues and fans to Nashville and offered a moment to reflect on how Tennessee’s high school, collegiate and professional programs have produced talent across multiple decades and disciplines.
Who was inducted
- Monica Abbott — former University of Tennessee softball player; two-time Olympic silver medalist.
- Jason Witten — former University of Tennessee football player and National Football League tight end.
- Kermit Davis — former Middle Tennessee State University men’s basketball coach.
- Ron Mercer — former Goodpasture Christian graduate and NBA player.
- Charles McRae — former University of Tennessee football player and NFL offensive tackle.
- Candice Storey Lee — Vanderbilt University athletic director and Tennessean of the Year.
- Additional inductees and honorees were recognized as part of the Class of 2026 ceremony on July 11 in Nashville.
| Inductee | Primary affiliation | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Monica Abbott | University of Tennessee | Olympic / Collegiate |
| Jason Witten | University of Tennessee / NFL | Collegiate / Professional |
| Kermit Davis | Middle Tennessee State | Collegiate Coach |
| Ron Mercer | Goodpasture Christian (graduate) / NBA | High school / Professional |
| Charles McRae | University of Tennessee / NFL | Collegiate / Professional |
| Candice Storey Lee | Vanderbilt University | Administration |
Photographs from the event, captured by Mark Zaleski of The Tennessean, show inductees and guests on hand in Nashville. The mix of athletes, coaches and administrators underlines how the Hall of Fame recognizes contributions on and off the field.
Local impact and what it means
For Tennessee communities, the ceremony is more than an awards night: it connects present-day programs to the achievements of those who came before, provides role models for young athletes across the state and highlights the continuing pipeline from high school programs to college and professional ranks.
For fans, alumni and local sports programs, this class reaffirms Tennessee’s footprint in multiple sports disciplines — from softball and basketball to football and basketball at the professional level — and underscores the important role of coaches and administrators in sustaining competitive programs.
As the state honors this class, interest will return to how these legacies influence recruiting, youth participation and community sports investments across Tennessee.
— Reporting from Nashville.
