Hall of Fame, Class of 2025 Finalists

• Sport: Sled Hockey
• Paralympic Games Experience: Four-time Paralympian, Four-time Medalist (3 gold, 1 bronze)

Steve is a three-time Paralympic gold medalist and five-time world champion, recognized as one of the greatest goaltenders in the history of sled hockey. He made history in the 2010 Paralympic Games, becoming the only goalie to secure five shutouts in a single tournament. Holding all goalie records in sled hockey, both for Team USA and internationally, Steve boasts the most minutes played, the best save percentage, and the second-best goals-against average. His impact extends beyond his athletic career, as he remains deeply involved in coaching, developing a curriculum for sled hockey goalie-specific camps, and giving back to the sport by mentoring younger generations. Off the ice, Steve is a strong advocate for mental health, working to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health challenges in elite athletes. His dedication to the sport and to improving the lives of others makes him an exemplary figure in the world of adaptive sports. 

• Sport: Paralympic Track and Field
• Paralympic Games Experience: Five-time Paralympian, 20-time Medalist (13 gold, 3 silver, 4 bronze) 

Winning eight gold medals at the Barcelona 1992 Paralympic Games, Dodson is one of the most decorated athletes in Paralympic history, amassing 20 Paralympic medals, including 13 golds, over a career spanning 16 years and five Paralympic Games. He was a key member of four gold medal-winning relay teams in the 4x100m and 4x400m events at the 1988 and 1992 Games. His remarkable achievements in events such as the 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, and 5000m races set numerous records and solidified his place as one of the greatest athletes in Paralympic history. Dodson's leadership and advocacy for inclusion in sports have not only elevated his own athletic career but also advanced the visibility and opportunities for disabled athletes worldwide. His legacy continues to pave the way for future generations of Paralympic athletes. 

• Sport: Women’s Wheelchair Basketball, Paralympic Archery, Paralympic Track and Field   
• Paralympic Games Experience: Six-time Paralympian, Six-time Medalist (4 gold, 2 bronze)

Susan Hagel has competed in six Paralympic Games across three different sports, showcasing her remarkable versatility and commitment to excellence. She has earned numerous accolades, including the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) Triad Award in 1998. A 16-time All-Tournament Team selection, Susan has been a key player on 14 U.S. national teams across Paralympic, Stoke-Mandeville, Pan American, and Gold Cup competitions. Her contributions extend beyond her playing career as she serves on the NWBA Hall of Fame Committee, promoting sports opportunities for individuals with disabilities. As a role model for women and junior girls in the National Wheelchair Basketball Association, Susan's lasting impact on the sport is a testament to her dedication, having played longer than any other woman in the division. 

• Sport: Paralympic Track and Field, Wheelchair Basketball, Paralympic Swimming   
• Paralympic Games Experience: Four-time Paralympian, 10-time Medalist (5 gold, 4 silver, 1 bronze)

Sharon Rahn Hedrick made history as a Paralympian in both wheelchair basketball and track. A four-time Paralympian and 10-time Paralympic medalist, she captured gold in track and basketball across multiple Games, including victories in the 800m at the 1976 and 1980 Paralympics and gold in wheelchair basketball at the 1988 Games. She also secured two Olympic gold medals in the 800m demonstration event at the 1984 and 1988 Games. A six-time MVP for the University of Illinois wheelchair basketball team, she was named to the National Women’s Wheelchair Basketball All-Tournament Team 15 times. In 1977, she became the first female wheelchair competitor in the Boston Marathon. As the first wheelchair athlete to win an Olympic gold in track while setting a world record, her legacy extends beyond competition, paving the way for future generations in adaptive sports. 

• Sport: Paralympic Swimming   
• Paralympic Games Experience: Three-time Paralympian, 12-time Medalist (1 gold, 8 silver, 3 bronze)

Cortney Jordan is a 12-time Paralympic medalist, including a gold in the women’s S7 50m freestyle at the 2008 Games. Over a decade-long career (2006-2016) on the U.S. Paralympic swimming national team, she competed in three Paralympic Games and earned 26 World Para Swimming medals, including eight world titles. A collegiate swimmer at Cal Lutheran University, she made history in 2013 as the first Paralympic athlete nominated for the NCAA Woman of the Year award. Beyond her athletic success, Jordan has been a dedicated teacher, advocate, and ambassador for disabled sports, serving as an inspiration to many within and beyond the Paralympic community. 

• Sport: Wheelchair Tennis 
• Paralympic Games Experience: Two-time Paralympian, Gold Medalist

Parks is credited with founding the sport in 1976, transforming tennis into an inclusive game for athletes with physical impairments. Parks earned gold at the 1992 Barcelona Paralympics, demonstrating excellence as both a competitor and an innovator. He was the world No. 1 from 1980-1989. Parks was also the first President of the International Wheelchair Tennis Federation in 1988 and was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2010. He was the first wheelchair tennis player to be inducted. Parks has played a key role in gaining worldwide recognition for wheelchair tennis, fostering its inclusion in major tournaments and events.

• Sport: Paralympic Track & Field (Shot put, Javelin), Judo, Goalball, Wrestling 
• Paralympic Games Experience: Seven-time Paralympian, Ten-time medalist (five gold, two silver, three bronze)

Mastro is a seven-time Paralympian winning ten medals overall, including five gold. He was the first person ever to medal in four different Paralympic sports – judo, wrestling, track and field and goalball.* Mastro was the first blind athlete selected for a U.S. Olympic Team (Greco-Roman wrestling alternate, 1976) and received the Medal of Courage from the United States National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2008.  In 1995, he was the World Judo Champion for the Blind. For his performance, he was honored as the United States Olympic Committee Blind Athlete of the Year. The next year, he was honored as the flag bearer for the Paralympic Games Atlanta. He won freestyle wrestling gold medals in three Paralympic Games - in Toronto in 1976, in Holland in 1980 and in New York in 1984.

• Sport: Track & Field (100-meters, 200-meters, 400-meters, Long Jump, Pentathlon, Shot Put)
• Olympic & Paralympic Games Experience: One time Olympian, Two-time Paralympian – Six-time medalist (five gold, one silver) 

Runyan was the first visually impaired athlete to compete in an Olympic Games and is the only U.S. athlete to ever compete at both an Olympic and Paralympic Games.  She held the Women's T13 400m World Record for 29 years (recently broke at Paralympic Games Paris).  She is a six-time Paralympic Medalist, including five gold medals, three-time outdoor track and field national champion and three-time road 5k national champion.

• Sport: Paralympic Nordic Skiing (Cross-country Skiing, Biathlon)
• Paralympic Games Experience: Three-time Paralympian, Three-time medalist (one gold, two bronze)

Soule won a gold medal at the 2018 Paralympic Games in cross-country sprint in what was one of the most incredible comebacks in Paralympic Winter Games history. He shot 50 for 50 in biathlon competitions at Sochi 2014* and owns seven career world championships medals.  While performances in Sochi have yet to be properly rectified after Russian doping scandal, Soule is the likely winner of five medals from that Paralympic Winter Games in one of the most incredible, consistent performances day in and out of that event. 

• Sport: Basketball
• Athletes: Teresa Edwards, Ruthie Bolton-Holifield, Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie, Katrina McClain, Dawn Staley, Jennifer Azzi, Carla McGhee, Katy Steding, Rebecca Lobo, Venus Lacy, Nikki McCray, Tara VanDerveer (coach)  
• Olympic Experience: Olympic Games Atlanta 1996, gold (basketball)

The 1996 team went 60-0 (52-0 in pre-Olympic competition and 8-0 in the Games) and embarked on a three-month NCAA tour, winning by an average of 45.2 ppg as it traveled to campuses of the USA's top collegiate powers. During the tour, team members helped grow the game at a grassroots level never before seen in the history of basketball.  In the gold medal game vs. Brazil, played in front of 32,987 spectators, the squad led by as many as 31 points before claiming the gold medal with the 111-87 victory.  In that game, the U.S. shot a Team USA single-game Olympic record 66.2% from the field.   In 1996 Olympic play, the team outscored opponents by an average of 28.5 ppg (USA 102.4 ppg, OPP 73.8 ppg). The team trained and played together for nearly a year in preparation for the Olympic Games, taking leaves of absences from jobs and school in order to play on the team and are known as the most popular women’s team in U.S. history, drawing a record 202,556 fans during the Olympic Games for an average of 25,320 per game.

• Sport: Bobsled
• Athletes: Steven Holcomb, Justin Olsen, Steve Mesler, Curt Tomasevicz  
• Olympic Experience: Olympic Winter Games Vancouver 2010, gold (four-man bobsled) 

This team returned the U.S. to the top of the winter sports world by winning the coveted four-man Olympic gold medal in 2010. They were featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated, only the second time bobsled graced the cover (Feb. 1961). By breaking 50- and 62-year streaks in the world championships and Olympic Games, they did what American men simply don’t do - they won in bobsled.  This team battled through adversity, supporting Steven Holcomb overcoming his degenerative eye disease and personal challenges. With the passing of Steven Holcomb in 2017, immortalizing this specific team would cement his legacy.  This team was Team USA’s Team of the Year 2009 and 2010. The only team to ever win back-to-back Team USA Team of the Year honors until women’s hockey in 2017 and 2018.  

• Sport: Track & Field
• Athletes: Tianna Madison, Allyson Felix, Bianca Knight, Carmelita Jeter, R1 Alts – Jeneba Tarmoh, Lauryn Williams
• Olympic Experience: Olympic Games London 2012, gold (4x100)

Despite a dramatic baton drop in the 2008 Games, the team triumphed in 2012, setting a world record of 40.82 seconds. The performance showcased resilience, determination and unparalleled teamwork, securing their place as one of the greatest relay teams in Olympic history. Their victory, highlighting individual excellence and collective spirit, continues to inspire future generations of athletes.

• Sport: Women’s Wheelchair Basketball
• Athletes: Susan Katz, Christina Ripp, Renee Tyree, Janna Crawford, Carlee Hoffman, Stephanie Wheeler, Teresa Lannon, Jennifer Howitt, Jennifer Warkins, Emily Hoskins, Patricia “Patty” Cisneros, Jana Stump
• Paralympic Experience: Athens 2004 Paralympic Games, gold

The 2004 Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Team won the first gold medal for the program in 22 years. Christina (Ripp) Schwab and Stephanie Wheeler went on to coach the women’s wheelchair basketball team – Wheeler in 2016 and 2020, Schwab in 2024. Two members of the team (Schwab and Wheeler) are members of the National Wheelchair Basketball Association Hall of Fame. Six members went on to compete as members of the 2008 gold medal team, the first time the U.S. women’s wheelchair basketball team ever won back-to-back gold medals (Hoskins, Cisneros, Hoffman, Wheeler, Schwab, Warkins). The squad defeated Canada, who had won gold in the previous five Paralympic Games, in the semi-final round which was notched as their most difficult victory.

• Sport: SKUD 18 Class
• Athletes: Nicholas Salvatore Scandone , Maureen McKinnon Tucker  
• Paralympic Experience: Paralympic Games Beijing 2008, gold

Scandone was a collegiate national champion from the University of California - Irvine and later placed second at the Olympic Trials in the Men's 470 class.   Scandone was Rolex Yachtsmen of Year in 2005 after beating an 88-boat fleet of able-bodied and disabled sailors in the 2.4-meter open world championship regatta off the coast of Italy, additionally he was named Paralympic Athlete of Year in 2006.   McKinnon-Tucker became the first woman to represent the U.S. in sailing at the Paralympic Games and the first woman to win gold in the Paralympic Games.  McKinnon-Tucker campaigned in four Paralympic cycles (Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, London 2012 and Rio 2016) and has been named to the U.S. Sailing Team a total of eight times.  

• Sport: Wheelchair Rugby
• Athletes: Andy Cohn, Will Groulx, Scott Hogsett, Bryan Kirkland (captain), Norm Lyduch, Seth McBride, Jason Regier, Nick Springer, Chance Sumner, Joel Wilmoth, Mark Zupan
• Paralympic Experience: Paralympic Games Beijing 2008, gold

More information on the nominee: The 2008 team won gold, defeating Australia in the gold medal match 52-44. This gold medal marked the third time the U.S. wheelchair rugby team secured the top spot at the Paralympic Games. The team was completely undefeated through the tournament, proving their dominance in the sport by winning all three of their pool matches before moving on to the medal rounds. The U.S. faced defending gold medalists, Canada, early in the tournament, a rematch of the 2004 gold medal match, and demonstrated their dominance by defeating the Canadians. Each member of the team brought their unique strengths to the court, working together seamlessly. The collaborative nature of their play and their ability to adapt to opponents made them an unstoppable force throughout the competition. The U.S. men’s wheelchair rugby team was a trailblazer for adaptive sports, helping to elevate the visibility of wheelchair rugby on the global stage. Many members of the 2008 team were also featured in the 2005 documentary Murderball, which followed the U.S. and Canadian teams on their paths to the Paralympic Games Athens 2004.

• Sport: Rowing
• Olympic/Paralympic Games Experience:
• Olympic Games Montreal 1976, bronze (women’s eight)
• Olympic Games Moscow 1980, U.S. did not participate

DeFrantz won bronze at the 1976 Olympics in the first ever women’s eight. She was elected to the IOC membership in 1986, becoming both the first African American and first woman to serve on the committee. DeFrantz served as vice president of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee and was instrumental in its success. She was awarded the Olympic Order in 1980 for her work with the Olympic Movement. DeFrantz won the 2024 NCAA President’s Gerald R. Ford Award.

• Sport: Bobsled
• Olympic/Paralympic Games Experience:
• Olympic Winter Games St. Moritz 1928, gold (five-man bobsled) 
• Olympic Winter Games Lake Placid 1932, gold (four-man bobsled) 

William Fiske was a two-time Olympic gold medalist and U.S. flag bearer at the 1932 Olympic Games, making history as the youngest Winter Olympic champion at age 16—a record he held for 60 years. He set a track record at the famous Cresta Run in St. Moritz and was named captain of the U.S. bobsled team in 1932. Beyond his athletic achievements, Fiske displayed immense courage by joining the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in 1939, fighting in the Battle of Britain before being killed in action in 1940.

• Sport: Volleyball
• Olympic/Paralympic Games Experience:
• Olympic Games Moscow 1980, U.S. did not attend
• Olympic Games Los Angeles 1984, silver

Flo Hyman was a pioneering figure in volleyball and a key contributor to the growth of the sport in the United States. A three-time All-American at the University of Houston, she played during the early years of collegiate volleyball following Title IX. Hyman led the U.S. women’s Olympic team through the 1980 boycott and remained with the team to secure a silver medal at the 1984 Olympic Games, the first Olympic volleyball medal for the United States. After the Games, she continued her career professionally in Japan. In 1986, she tragically passed away at the age of 31. Her legacy extends beyond the court, as she played a significant role in advancing women's sports. In 1987, National Girls and Women in Sports Day was established in her honor, recognizing her athletic achievements and advocacy for gender equality in sports.

• Sport: Archery
• Olympic/Paralympic Games Experience:
• Olympic Games Montreal 1976, gold (individual)
• Olympic Games Moscow 1980, U.S. did not participate
• Olympic Games Los Angeles 1984, gold (individual)
• Olympic Games Seoul 1988, silver (team)

Darrell Pace is one of the most accomplished archers in U.S. history, winning individual Olympic gold medals at Montreal 1976 and Los Angeles 1984, along with a team silver at Seoul 1988. A six-time Pan American Games champion and 10-time world championship medalist, he set multiple world records and was named Athlete of the 20th Century by World Archery in 2011. Pace was a pioneer in advancing archery techniques and equipment, consistently pushing the sport forward. Beyond his competitive success, he has dedicated decades to coaching and volunteering, earning the prestigious Thompson Award in 2023 for his lifelong contributions to archery.

• Sport: Weightlifting
• Olympic/Paralympic Games Experience:
• Olympic Games London 1948, silver (heavyweight) 
• Olympic Games Helsinki 1952, gold (middle-heavyweight) 
• Olympic Games Rome 1960, bronze (heavyweight) 
• Olympic Games Tokyo 1964, bronze (heavyweight) 

Norb Schemansky was one of the most accomplished weightlifters in history, becoming the first to win medals in four Olympic Games—earning silver in 1948, gold in 1952, and bronze in 1960 and 1964. A three-time world champion and nine-time national champion, he set 24 world records during his career, becoming the oldest world-record holder in the sport at age 37. Schemansky trained independently in Michigan without financial backing and overcame a broken back to return to Olympic competition. A World War II veteran, he was inducted into the International Weightlifting Federation Hall of Fame in 1992 and is honored with a city park in Dearborn, Michigan.

• Sport: Fencing
• Olympic/Paralympic Games Experience:
• Olympic Games Montreal 1976, 7th (team saber), 13th (individual saber)
• Olympic Games Moscow 1980, U.S. did not compete
• Olympic Games Los Angeles 1984, bronze (individual saber), 6th (team saber)
• Olympic Games Barcelona 1992, 9th (team saber)
• Olympic Games Atlanta 1996, 9th (team saber), 37th (individual saber)

Peter Westbrook is a trailblazer in American fencing, earning a historic bronze medal in men’s saber at the 1984 Olympics and competing in six Olympic Games. A 13-time U.S. national champion, he dominated the sport domestically, winning eight consecutive titles from 1979 to 1986. In 1991, he founded the Peter Westbrook Foundation, which has introduced thousands of underprivileged youth to fencing and mentorship, producing multiple Olympic medalists. Inducted into the USA Fencing Hall of Fame in 1996, Westbrook’s legacy extends beyond competition, transforming the sport and inspiring future generations.

• Sport: Swimming
• Olympic/Paralympic Games Experience:
• Olympic Games Tokyo 1964, U.S. men's head coach 
• Olympic Games Montreal 1976, U.S. men's head coach 

As head coach of the 1964 and 1976 U.S. Olympic Men’s Swimming Teams, Counsilman led his athletes to win 9 out of 11 gold medals in 1964 and 12 out of 13 in 1976. He also guided Indiana University to six consecutive NCAA team titles and produced Olympic champions such as Mark Spitz and John Kinsella. He pioneered underwater filming of strokes and invented hypo-ventilation training. An author of The Complete Book of Swimming, he received the USOPC’s Outstanding Coach of the Year award, and at age 58, he became the oldest person to swim the English Channel at the time. His legacy includes the Doc Counsilman Science Award, named in his honor.

• Sport: Basketball
• Olympic/Paralympic Games Experience:
• Olympic Games Beijing 2008, gold
• Olympic Games London 2012, gold
• Olympic Games Rio 2016, gold

As head coach of the U.S. Men’s National Basketball Team, he won three consecutive Olympic gold medals and led the team to numerous international successes, including silver at the 1987 World University Games, bronze at the 1990 FIBA World Championship, and gold at the 2007 FIBA Americas Championship, 2010 FIBA World Championship, and 2014 FIBA World Cup. He also achieved five NCAA championships as head coach at Duke, with 13 Final Four appearances, the most by any coach in NCAA history. A three-time Naismith College Coach of the Year, he became the first Division I men's coach to reach 1,000 wins at one school in 2015. He coached "The Redeem Team" to Olympic gold in 2008, restoring the U.S. Men's Basketball dominance. A West Point graduate and former U.S. Army officer, his influence extends beyond college basketball, having coached numerous Olympic gold medalists.

• Sport: Wheelchair basketball
• Olympic/Paralympic Games Experience:
• Paralympic Games Barcelona 1992, silver, women's assistant coach*
• Paralympic Games Athens 2004, gold, women’s head coach
• Paralympic Games Beijing 2008, gold, women’s head coach
• Paralympic Games Rio 2016, gold, men’s head coach
• Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020, gold, men’s head coach

Lykins' remarkable coaching career has made him the most successful coach in wheelchair basketball history. He led the U.S. Paralympic Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Teams to back-to-back gold medals in 2004 and 2008 and then achieved similar success with the U.S. Paralympic Men’s Wheelchair Basketball Team, securing gold medals in 2016 and 2020. A key ambassador of the sport since the 1980s, Lykins has mentored future coaches like Robbie Taylor, who led Team USA to a third consecutive Paralympic gold in 2024. Known for building cohesive, resilient teams, his leadership goes beyond tactics, focusing on the personal growth and development of his athletes. His dedication and impact have elevated wheelchair basketball, leaving an indelible mark on the sport and the lives of countless athletes.

Phil Knight, the visionary founder of Nike, has been a transformative force in the world of track and field, revolutionizing sport through his unwavering support and innovation. From his early days selling running shoes out of his car to building one of the most iconic athletic brands in history, Knight has consistently championed athletes and their pursuit of excellence. His investments in cutting-edge footwear technology and his steadfast support of events like the Prefontaine Classic and Oregon’s Hayward Field have elevated the profile of American track and field on the global stage. Knight's enduring commitment to athletes and sport embodies the spirit of the Olympic and Paralympic Movement.

Wallechinsky is co-founder and president of the International Society of Olympic Historians and a widely cited source in the field. He authored The Complete Book of the Summer Olympics and The Complete Book of the Winter Olympics, along with best-selling works like The People’s Almanac. He has also served as a commentator for NBC’s Olympic Games coverage. Wallechinsky’s research and writing are essential sources for Olympic researchers, and his passion for the Olympic Movement drives him to challenge its leadership while celebrating its history.

John Williams' musical compositions for the 1984 Olympic Games (Olympic Fanfare) and the 1996 Olympic Games (Summon the Heroes) have become iconic and synonymous with the Games and the Olympic Movement. He has received the IOC Olympic Order (2003), 54 Academy Award nominations with 5 wins, 6 Emmy Award nominations with 3 wins, and 71 Grammy Award nominations with 26 wins. With a career spanning seven decades, Williams’ legendary scores for films like Jaws, E.T., Star Wars, and Indiana Jones have redefined film music. His compositions serve as a powerful unifying force, transcending nationality and sport, and exemplify the grace, power, and excellence of Olympic and Paralympic athletes.