Michigan Athletics Hall of Honor

Class of 2026

Celebrating eight Wolverines whose achievements, leadership and lasting impact helped shape the tradition of Michigan Athletics.

Induction Ceremony Friday, Sept. 11

Location Crisler Center

Football Recognition Saturday, Sept. 12

Read Class Announcement View Ceremony Photos Hall of Honor Archive

2026 Michigan Athletics Hall of Honor induction class with Donald R. Shepherd Director of Athletics Warde Manuel — **2026 Induction Class (from left):** With Donald R. Shepherd Director of Athletics Warde Manuel -- John Beilein, Joe McFarland, Sierra Romero, Chris Sabo, Nikki Peters, Shana Welch, Bev Plocki and Kellen Russell

2026 Inductees

Meet the Class

Eight Wolverines join the Michigan Athletics Hall of Honor.

Men's Basketball

John Beilein

Head Coach, 2007-19

John Beilein transformed Michigan men's basketball into a national power during his 12 seasons in Ann Arbor, leading the Wolverines back to consistent Big Ten and national championship contention.

Career Highlights

Led Michigan to nine NCAA Tournament appearances and two NCAA championship game appearances (2013, 2018).
Won Big Ten regular-season championships in 2012 and 2014.
Guided Michigan to back-to-back Big Ten Tournament titles in 2017 and 2018.
Compiled a 278-150 record and left Michigan as the program's winningest coach.

John Beilein during the 2026 Hall of Honor recognition at Michigan Stadium.

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Wrestling

Joe McFarland

Student-Athlete, 1981-82, 1984-85; Head Coach, 1999-2018

Joe McFarland made a lasting impact on Michigan wrestling as both an elite student-athlete and a successful head coach.

Career Highlights

Four-time NCAA All-American and two-time NCAA finalist during his Michigan career.
Won the 1984 Big Ten championship and finished his career with a 166-24-4 record.
Led Michigan for 19 seasons as head coach and compiled a 214-105-6 record.
Guided the Wolverines to 11 top-10 NCAA finishes and three Big Ten dual titles.

Joe McFarland during the 2026 Hall of Honor recognition at Michigan Stadium.

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Women's Gymnastics

Nikki Peters

Student-Athlete, 1996-99

Nikki Peters was one of the most accomplished gymnasts of her era and helped Michigan establish itself among the nation's elite programs.

Career Highlights

Earned six career NCAA All-America honors across uneven bars, vault and floor exercise.
Helped Michigan finish as national runner-up at the 1999 NCAA Championships.
Won three Big Ten individual titles on uneven bars and shared the 1997 floor exercise crown.
Recorded nine career perfect 10s, including six during the 1997 season.

Nikki Peters during the 2026 Hall of Honor recognition at Michigan Stadium.

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Women's Gymnastics

Bev Plocki

Head Coach, 1990-2025

Bev Plocki built Michigan women's gymnastics into one of the nation's premier programs during a 36-year tenure highlighted by sustained conference success and the program's first NCAA championship.

Career Highlights

Led Michigan to the program's first NCAA championship in 2021.
Won 26 Big Ten championships during her tenure.
Guided Michigan to 26 NCAA Championship appearances and 10 NCAA Super Six berths.
Earned two National Coach of the Year awards and 11 Big Ten Coach of the Year honors.

Bev Plocki during the 2026 Hall of Honor recognition at Michigan Stadium.

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Softball

Sierra Romero

Student-Athlete, 2013-16

Sierra Romero established herself as one of the most decorated players in Michigan softball history and among the most productive players in NCAA history.

Career Highlights

Named the 2016 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year and Honda Award recipient.
Became the first four-time NFCA All-American in Michigan softball history.
Won three Big Ten Player of the Year awards and earned unanimous first-team All-Big Ten honors four times.
Finished her collegiate career as the NCAA record holder in career runs and grand slams.

Sierra Romero during the 2026 Hall of Honor recognition at Michigan Stadium.

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Wrestling

Kellen Russell

Student-Athlete, 2008-12

Kellen Russell ranks among the most accomplished wrestlers in Michigan history, combining national championships with unprecedented Big Ten success.

Career Highlights

Two-time NCAA champion at 141 pounds in 2011 and 2012.
Three-time NCAA All-American.
Became Michigan's first four-time Big Ten wrestling champion.
Finished his collegiate career with a 134-12 record and a .918 winning percentage.

Kellen Russell during the 2026 Hall of Honor recognition at Michigan Stadium.

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Baseball

Chris Sabo

Student-Athlete, 1981-83

Chris Sabo helped lead Michigan baseball to Big Ten and national prominence before going on to a decorated Major League Baseball career.

Career Highlights

Helped Michigan win Big Ten Tournament titles in 1981 and 1983 and reach the College World Series both seasons.
Earned All-America honors during his Michigan career.
Selected 30th overall by the Cincinnati Reds in the 1983 MLB Draft.
Won National League Rookie of the Year, a World Series championship and earned three MLB All-Star selections.

Chris Sabo during the 2026 Hall of Honor recognition at Michigan Stadium.

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Water Polo

Shana Welch

Student-Athlete, 2004-07

Shana Welch established herself as one of the most accomplished players in Michigan water polo history and remains one of the program's leading record holders.

Career Highlights

Three-time ACWPC All-America honoree.
Earned three consecutive CWPA Division MVP awards from 2005-07.
Four-time first-team All-CWPA selection.
Remains Michigan's career goals record holder with 297.

Shana Welch during the 2026 Hall of Honor recognition at Michigan Stadium.

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Michigan Athletics

Hall of Honor Resources

Learn more about the 2026 induction class and explore the history of Michigan Athletics Hall of Honor honorees.

2026 Class Announcement View Ceremony Photos Hall of Honor Archive

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Event: Men's Golf at Inverness Intercollegiate on Sep 13, 2026 at 8:00 AM

Upcoming Event: Women's Tennis at Kitty Harrison Invitational on Sep 13, 2026 at 9:00 AM

Upcoming Event: Women's Golf at Badger Invitational on Sep 13, 2026 at 9:00 AM CT

Upcoming Event: Women's Soccer at Illinois on Sep 13, 2026 at 1:00 PM CT

Upcoming Event: Men's Golf at Inverness Intercollegiate on Sep 14, 2026 at 8:00 AM

Upcoming Event: Women's Golf at Badger Invitational on Sep 14, 2026 at 9:00 AM CT

Upcoming Event: Men's Golf at Inverness Intercollegiate on Sep 15, 2026 at 8:00 AM

Upcoming Event: Women's Golf at Badger Invitational on Sep 15, 2026 at 9:00 AM CT

Results

Completed Event: Men's Tennis versus Big Ten on April 29, 2027

Completed Event: Volleyball at South Florida on September 12, 2026 , Win , 3, to, 0 , (26-24, 25-23, 25-20)

Completed Event: Football versus #11 Oklahoma on September 12, 2026 , Win , 17, to, 10

Completed Event: Women's Tennis at Kitty Harrison Invitational on September 12, 2026 , , non-scoring

Completed Event: Men's Soccer versus #5 Indiana on September 11, 2026 , Loss , 0, to, 1

Completed Event: Field Hockey versus California on September 11, 2026 , Loss , 0, to, 1

Completed Event: Volleyball versus #11 TCU on September 11, 2026 , Loss , 1, to, 3 , (19-25, 23-25, 25-17, 23-25)

Completed Event: Women's Tennis at Kitty Harrison Invitational on September 11, 2026 , , non-scoring

Meet the Class

John Beilein

Career Highlights

Joe McFarland

Career Highlights

Nikki Peters

Career Highlights

Bev Plocki

Career Highlights

Sierra Romero

Career Highlights

Kellen Russell

Career Highlights

Chris Sabo

Career Highlights

Shana Welch

Career Highlights

Hall of Honor Resources

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