FOREST, Va. — For the second time in as many years, the ODAC and its member schools kick off a new academic year with the announcement of the 2026 class of the ODAC Hall of Fame.
This year's second-ever class of conference stars features 36 of the best student-athletes, coaches, administrators, and contributors towards the league's rich history of excellence. The ODAC Hall of Fame now showcases 86 standouts following the inaugural class of 50 honorees in 2025-26 as the linchpin of the conference's 50th year anniversary celebration.
The inaugural class included representation from 13 schools plus three individuals from the conference at-large. The second class includes inductees from Shenandoah University for the first time and features 36 honorees from 14 schools. That includes three each from the ODAC's eight charter members – Bridgewater College, Eastern Mennonite University, Emory & Henry University (then College during its ODAC era), Hampden-Sydney College, University of Lynchburg, Randolph-Macon College, Roanoke College, and Washington and Lee University – and two apiece from Batten University, Guilford College, Hollins University, Randolph College, Shenandoah, and Sweet Briar College, each of which joined the conference at various points throughout the league's 50-year history.
“The announcement of our second Hall of Fame class is another chance to celebrate the people who have helped make the ODAC what it is today,” explained ODAC Commissioner Brad Bankston. “Each honoree has their own story, but they all made a lasting impact on our conference and helped set the standard for those who came after them. We’re proud to recognize what they accomplished and excited to celebrate the lasting mark they’ve made on the ODAC.”
Much like in the first class of honorees, the stories and highlight moments from the 2026 class are numerous. Not only does the list include national champions, league trophy-holders, and those with their names etched next to several records, but ODAC fans can learn about the exploits of people like Dr. Margaret Hutson from Emory & Henry, who not only was the coach that preceded Pat Summit at the University of Tennessee, but was the athletic trainer for all E&H sports while coaching the Wasps' women's volleyball team and the creator of E&H Athletic Training Education Program (ATEP).
The ODAC and its member schools will highlight the contributions of their ODAC Hall of Fame inductees throughout the year and tell the stories of high-profile individuals like Dr. Todd Olsen, who embarks on his final campaign after guiding Lynchburg's women's soccer program to 515 victories and the 2014 national title in his 33 seasons in the Hill City.
The first two classes of the ODAC Hall of Fame have been directly selected by the administrations of each represented institution. Method on the selection of the third edition and those that follow will be determined by the conference's administration at a later date early this season.
Listed below are the honorees from each school. Be sure to check out their entries in the ODAC Hall of Fame. Access to their full bios can be found in those entries.