*from UNI Athletics press release
A world champion quarterback, All-Americans, a national champion, an institutional pioneer and legendary voices highlight the UNI Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame class of 2026.
The 2026 class, the 41st in the history of the university’s athletic department, will recognize individuals who competed for eight different sport programs for the Panthers, as well as an announcing duo with decades of experience bringing UNI sporting events to life.
This year’s class includes Super Bowl champion and NFL Most Valuable Player Kurt Warner, as well All-American swimmer Mark Crouch, national champion wrestler Jim Sanford, volleyball legend Ashten Stelken and women’s athletic trailblazer and three-sport athlete Kay (Whitaker) Wieck.
Standout women’s golfer Hannah Bermel will be honored as the Merlin Taylor Academic Award winner, while the Dr. Jitu Kothari Meritorious Service Award, for the first time ever, will be presented to co-recipients in iconic radio play-by-play broadcaster Gary Rima and public address announcer Bob Justis.
