National Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
2026 National Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees and Ceremony
• When: Friday, November 13, 2026
• Where: Teutopolis Banquet Hall, 210 Pearl St., Teutopolis, IL
• Schedule: 6:00 social hour • 6:30 dinner • 7:00 induction ceremony
• Tickets: $12 – can be purchased in person at the Teutopolis KC Hall or on Eventbrite (plus
fees)
Professional Athlete
Chad Green — Effingham HS → Louisville (school-record 2.38 career ERA) →
drafted by Tigers 2013 → MLB debut with Yankees 2016, played through 2022, then
Blue Jays 2023–2025. 500+ career strikeouts; 2017 breakout (1.83 ERA, 103 K in 69
IP); AL Comeback Player of the Year finalist in 2024 after Tommy John surgery,
with 16 straight saves converted.
Former Student Athlete
Jeff Mihlbachler — St. Anthony HS, basketball & baseball 1973–77. Nearly 1,000
career points (pre-3-point era), All-State Honorable Mention 1977. Drafted in 25th
round by the Reds out of high school; led Pioneer League in strikeouts, 1978. Now a
Grand Ambassador for the Effingham Chamber of Commerce, 22-year Sunrise
Rotary member.
Coaching
Bob Horst — 37-year coaching career (Mt. Vernon, Flora, Newton). 23 years at
Newton: 18 playoff appearances, 166-79 overall record, undefeated 2005
season/Class 4A runner-up. Led Newton to its first-ever state track title in 2006.
Illinois HS Football Coaches Hall of Fame, 2001.
Kristi & Dan Paulson — EIU softball co-coaches, 279-95 overall over 8 years. At
Parkland CC: three NJCAA Region 24 titles, four straight MWAC titles. At EIU: two
straight OVC regular-season/tournament titles (2025, 2026), NCAA Tournament
appearances both years. Also founded Premier Fastpitch in 2011.
Media
Loren Tate — “Dean of Illinois Sports Reporters,” 70-year career, ~60 years
covering Illini athletics for the News-Gazette since 1966. Still writes weekly and
appears on 4+ radio shows on WDWS. USBWA Hall of Fame, 2021.
Millie Lange — 45+-years as a sportswriter, 29 years at Effingham Daily News
(sports editor 1981-2010), now with Premier Broadcasting. Covered nearly every
regional sport.
2026 National Hall of Fame Inductees and Ceremony
Randy Poole — 30+ years broadcasting, Flora Wolves football (34 yrs) and
basketball (15 yrs) voice on WNOI, plus 15 years as Sports Director.
Greg Sapp — 52+ years, longtime voice of the Effingham Hearts. Multiple honors
including 2018 IBCA Hall of Fame and 2024 National Athletic Hall of Fame
Director’s Award.
Officials
Andy Pullen — 59 years as IHSA-certified official (basketball, track, cross country), plus 22 years
in Junior College basketball (GRAC). IBCA Hall of Fame official, 2002.
Jim Wagner — 35-year IHSA official across basketball, baseball, softball, football; 15 years
officiating JC basketball, 12 Women’s Regionals, 1 National Tournament appearance.
Twelfth Man Award
Tom Clark — 50 years as PA announcer for Newton Eagles football; also active in Newton Rotary,
Jasper County Health Department Board, and Newton City Council Zoning Board.