Grand Valley State athletics will honor eight individuals that will be inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame as the Class of 2026. The event will be held on Friday, November 6 at the Raleigh J. Finkelstein Athletic Village Arena. A reception will begin at 5:45 p.m., followed by the ceremony that will begin at 7 p.m. The 2026 class will be the 40th class inducted into the athletics Hall of Fame.  
 
Ashley Botts (Beloit, Wis./Boylan Catholic), Soccer (2009-12)
Gianni Ferrero (Idstein, Germany/Pestalozzischule Idstein), Swimming (2013-16)
Sarah Hoffman (Saline, Mich./Saline), Women's Golf (2008-12)  
Brandon McFarland (Urbana, Ill./Urbana), Baseball (2004-05)
Alyssa Neumen, (Rockford, Mich./Rockford), Lacrosse (2012-15)
Joe Pollard (Livonia, Mich./Franklin), Football (1975-78)
Deanne Scanlon (Zanesville, Ohio/West Muskingum), Volleyball Coach (1995-2021)
Darien Thornton (Huber Heights, Ohio/Wayne), Track & Field (2012-16)

"We are inducting another incredible class that represents everything that is great about Grand Valley State and GVSU athletics," said Director of Athletics Keri Becker. "Not only do they enter the Hall of Fame with outstanding athletic credentials, they also come in as outstanding individuals and we are excited to have them join an incredible group Hall of Famers. This group exemplifies what it means to be a Laker with competitiveness, hard work, growth and development," added Becker.
 
This year's class will join the 202 members previously inducted into the Hall of Fame. The first GVSU Athletics Hall of Fame class was inducted in 1986 and plaques honoring all inductees are on display at the Raleigh J. Finkelstein Athletic Village Championship lobby.