Wheeling, W. Va. - Two weeks ago, the Wheeling University Athletic Department recognized the 2025 Class of the Wheeling Athletic Hall of Fame with their induction ceremony. On Monday, preparations began for the 2026 Wheeling Athletics Hall of Fame class with nominations running now through December 31st. Former Cardinal athletes, coaches, special contributors, and teams can be nominated by filling out the Wheeling Athletic Hall of Fame Nomination Form, and each nomination will be put under consideration by the Hall of Fame voting board.
Established in 1997, the mission of the Wheeling University Athletic Hall of Fame is to honor outstanding achievements and contributions by individuals and teams to the athletic program and to promote athletic leadership and personal excellence at Wheeling University. There are five different categories of nomination, with individuals being able to be inducted as athletes, coaches, special contributors, and Lifetime Achievement honorees, with the final category honoring teams with outstanding athletic achievement. The Hall of Fame was designed to create an awareness of the rich athletic traditions at the university, while also heightening the interest and image of the athletics program and the university. The Class of 2026 will be a special class, as the Athletic Department will be celebrating its 70th anniversary during their induction in the fall of 2026.
A Wheeling University athlete becomes eligible ten (10) years after their athletic eligibility has been exhausted, with athletes who exhausted their eligibility following the 2016 season or earlier being eligible. The athlete most have had exceptions athletic performance in one or more Wheeling University athletic programs over at least two (2) seasons, and the candidate must have also displayed good moral character and citizenship during their undergraduate and post-graduation years. A coach becomes eligible five (5) years after leaving the university and their teams must have made outstanding contributions to athletics at Wheeling University. Along with their coaching success, the candidate must be of outstanding character that exemplifies the athletics program and the university, with active coaches not eligible for nomination, except in special circumstances.
Nominations for special contributors go to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to athletics at Wheeling University over a significant number of years. Nominees for this distinction can go to faculty, staff, administrators, or friends of the athletic program who have made their mark on athletics while being of outstanding character. The Lifetime Achievement Nomination goes out to individuals who have made outstanding athletic, professional, or civic accomplishments after leaving Wheeling University. The contributions must be of significant importance and over a period of years, while the nominee must display solid moral character.
The final nomination category goes out to teams that have made significant contributions to the program's history. The team award was first established during the 2024 class of the Wheeling Athletics Hall of Fame, and honors teams that have made significant contributions to their respective programs history. Teams are eligible ten (10) years after the achievement and must have noteworthy accomplishments both collectively as a team and by it's individual players. For Olympic sports like Track & Field and Cross Country, nominations can be over a number of seasons, honoring legacy programs. All nominated parties will be put under consideration by the Board of Directors and the top nominees will be put to a vote to be approved for induction.
Following the nomination process, the Wheeling University Hall of Fame board will hold three separate meetings to vote on nominees for the 2026 Class of the Hall of Fame. The board is comprised of at least five members, including the Athletic Director, Assistant Athletic Director of Communications, Senior Woman Administrator, and other administration positions across campus. Inductees for the 2026 class of the Wheeling Athletic Hall of Fame will be chosen based on a majority vote, with each board member receiving voting rights. The 2026 Class will then be announced in the spring of 2026, with the formal induction ceremony being held as part of Homecoming & Family Weekend during the fall of 2026.
Nominations will run now through December 31st, and you can nominate a qualified individual by clicking HERE.
