The Champions Foundation Announces 2026 Athens Athletic Hall of Fame Class

From championship sidelines to community leadership, Athens is honoring the athletes and mentors who helped shape its Sports legacy.

The Athens Athletic Hall of Fame recognizes individuals whose athletic achievements and community leadership have contributed to the region’s longstanding sports tradition. 
The Champions Foundation has announced the 2026 Athens Athletic Hall of Fame inductees:

The Honorable Stan Baker is a Clarke Central High School graduate. Baker was a multi-sport athlete and member of region championship teams in football and track during high school. He continued his athletic career at Davidson College as a football and track letterman and team captain. He later earned his law degree from the University of Georgia and now serves as Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia.

Vanna Cure — A standout basketball player at Clarke Central High School. Cure was a key contributor to multiple championship teams and earned All-Region honors. She continued her career at Independence Community College and Valdosta State University, where she graduated magna cum laude and earned her MBA.

Vincent Todd Nowell — A Cedar Shoals High School graduate, Nowell excelled in football and track. He was an All-Area honoree at the split end position. He continued his football career at Western Carolina University. There, he earned All-Southern Conference honors twice as a wide receiver and broke several Western Carolina receiving yards.

Robin Pledger — A standout multi-sport athlete at Athens Christian School, Pledger competed in four sports and was a member of four state championship teams. He earned All-State honors in football and led the state in interceptions his senior season. He went on to continue his football career at Liberty University.

Michelle Wilker — A standout athlete at Cedar Shoals High School, Wilker was a captain of a state finalist basketball team and a record-setting track and field athlete. She went on to attend Grambling State University, graduating summa cum laude. She later earned a master’s degree from the University of Notre Dame, graduating magna cum laude.

Alexis Yoculan Erickson — An outstanding soccer player at Athens Academy, Erickson was named Northeast Georgia Player of the Year. She scored 54 goals her senior season and led her team to the state championship match. She continued her career at Vanderbilt University on a soccer scholarship. Upon returning to UGA to complete her education, Alexis became a personal trainer and is the co-owner of Georgia Strength.

The 2026 AAHOF Community Service Award will be presented to Alicia Battle of the Goodwill of Northeast Georgia.

For local High School and University of Georgia students, especially aspiring student-athletes, this is more than a ceremony. It’s a reminder that athletic excellence can evolve into lifelong leadership.

Events begin with the annual Athens Athletic Hall of Fame Golf Tournament on May 26, 2026, at the University of Georgia Golf Course. Breakfast and registration will run from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.

The public Reception introducing the Class of 2026 will be held on June 7th at 1 p.m. at the University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education. Tickets are $25 before May 22nd and $35 after May 22nd. Tickets are available at www.AthensHallOfFame.com.

The formal Banquet and Induction Ceremony will follow on June 8th at 6 p.m., also at the UGA Center for Continuing Education. Banquet tickets are $75 before May 22nd and $85 after May 22nd. Tickets are available at www.AthensHallOfFame.com.

Students, teammates, and Bulldog fans are encouraged to attend and hear firsthand how discipline, teamwork, and resilience built careers that extend far beyond the field.

In a city where Saturdays mean something special, Athens continues to prove that its greatest victories aren’t just measured in trophies — but in impact.