PORTSMOUTH, Ohio -- Shawnee State Athletics has officially unveiled its 2026 Hall of Fame inductees. The class will be honored at the Shawnee State Hall of Fame Dinner on April 26, inside Waller Gymnasium at 5:00 p.m.

EJ Onu (Men's Basketball, 2017-21)
Onu, arguably the greatest athlete in the history of Shawnee State athletics, led Shawnee State men's basketball to its first-ever NAIA National Tournament bid during the 2019-20 season, however, the tournament was canceled the following day due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The following season, as a senior, Onu led Shawnee State to its first-ever Mid-South Conference Regular Season and Tournament Championships, as well as its second consecutive NAIA National Tournament berth, a run that ended with the 2021 NAIA national championship banner coming to Portsmouth. After graduating from Shawnee State, Onu has played in the G-League for the Texas Legends and Memphis Hustle, pro affiliates of the Dallas Mavericks and Memphis Grizzlies, respectively. Onu also won a pro championship in Germany in 2025.

Accolades and Accomplishments
- 2021 NAIA National Champion
- Two-time NAIA All-American
- Two-time First-Team All-MSC (Mid-South Conference)
- Three-time MSC Defensive Player of the Year
- Two-time NAIA National Player of the Week
- 2018 MSC Freshman of the Year
- Single game (13), single season (182) and career (529) leader in blocks at Shawnee State
- Graduated from Shawnee State University with a 3.0 GPA.

Brooke Smith (Women's Cross County, Track and Field, 2015-20)
A standout distance runner for Shawnee State, Smith built a decorated resume across cross country and track & field. In cross country, Smith earned 2019 NAIA All-American honors, was a two-time First-Team All-MSC selection, a two-time Second-Team All-MSC pick and captured Mid-South Conference Runner of the Year honors in both 2017 and 2019. On the track, she proved equally dominant, becoming a two-time NAIA All-American with a seventh-place finish in the 1,000 meters and a third-place finish in the mile in 2019, along with All-American honors in the outdoor 1,500 meters. A force at the conference level, Smith won Mid-South Conference championships in the 800, 1,500, 5,000, 10,000, and the 4×800 relay, totaling 10 Mid-South Conference titles overall and cementing a legacy as one of Shawnee State's most accomplished runners.

Accolades and Accomplishments
- 2019 NAIA All-American (Cross Country)
- Two-time First-Team All-MSC 
- Two-time Second-Team All-MSC 
- 2017 Mid-South Conference Runner of the Year 
- 2019 Mid-South Conference Runner of the Year 
- Two-time NAIA All-American (1,000, 7th, 2019, Mile, 3rd, 2019; 1,500 outdoor) (Track)
- Mid-South Conference Champion in 800, 1,500, 5,000, 10,000 and 4-by-800 9 
- 10-time Mid-South Conference Champion 

Alex Pohl (Women's Basketball, Volleyball, 2009-13)
A standout two-sport athlete at Shawnee State, Pohl made a lasting impact in both volleyball and women's basketball. On the volleyball court she was a three-time All-Mid-South Conference honoree, earning honorable mention recognition in 2010 and 2011 before being named First-Team All-MSC in 2012. Over her career, she totaled 714 kills on an impressive .288 attack percentage while recording 385 total blocks (191 solo, 194 assisted), holding the program's career blocks record for more than a decade. In women's basketball, Pohl was also a two-time All-MSC selection, receiving honorable mention honors in 2011-12 and Second-Team recognition in 2012-13. She finished her collegiate career with 1,248 points and 910 rebounds while shooting 56% from the field. A key rotation player on the 2009-10 squad that advanced to the NAIA National Championship game, Pohl went on to start each of her final three seasons, including the 2010-11 team that reached the NAIA Fab Four, further cementing her legacy as one of Shawnee State's most accomplished multi-sport athletes.

Accolades and Accomplishments
- Two-time Second-Team All-MSC (Basketball)
- 2011-12 All-MSC honorable mention
- 2012-13 Second-Team All-MSC
- 1,248 career points 
- 910 career rebounds 
- 2012 First-Team All-MSC (Volleyball)
- Two-time All-MSC Honorable Mention 
- 714 career kills (.288%) 
- 385 total blocks (191 solo, 194 assisted) 

Kirsti Yates (Softball, Volleyball, 2010-14)
As a two-sport athlete at Shawnee State, Yates excelled in both softball and volleyball, leaving a lasting mark on each program. In softball, Yates was a three-time All-Mid-South Conference selection, earning First-Team honors in 2011 and 2012 and Second-Team recognition in 2013, while also being named Mid-South Conference Freshman of the Year in 2011. Over her four-year career, she posted a .326 batting average with 25 home runs and 114 RBI, while recording a .963 fielding percentage as a shortstop in two of her four seasons. A model of durability and consistency, she played and started in 166 of a possible 167 games. In volleyball, Yates was a two-time First-Team All-MSC honoree in 2011 and 2012 and made an immediate impact as a freshman defensive specialist/libero on the 2010 team that advanced to the NAIA National Tournament. Across four seasons, she totaled 1,864 career digs -- third-most in program history -- and appeared in all 151 matches during her career, further cementing her legacy as one of Shawnee State's premier multi-sport athletes.

Accolades and Accomplishments
- Two-time First-Team All-MSC (Softball)
- 2013 Second-Team All-MSC 
- 2011 Mid-South Conference Freshman of the Year 
- .326 career batting average 
- 25 career home runs 
- 114 career RBI 
- .963 career fielding percentage 
- Two-time First-Team All-MSC (Volleyball)
- 1,864 career digs

Brian Ramey (Baseball, 2007-10)
A cornerstone of Shawnee State baseball, Ramey played a pivotal role in one of the most significant eras in program history. As a senior in 2010 he helped lead the Bears to their first-ever conference championship, with the team also finishing as the American Mideast Conference Tournament Runner-Up that season. Renowned for his durability and elite defense, he finished his career as the program's all-time leader in defensive chances (1,269), putouts (1,173), and double plays turned (94), while ranking second all-time in games played (196) and starts (191). Ramey was equally productive at the plate, compiling a .329 career batting average with 13 home runs, 35 doubles and 81 walks. He ranks fifth all-time in program history in both hits (198) and RBI (124), and sixth in total bases (274). Defensively, his .989 career fielding percentage stands as the best among all four-year players in program history and places him among just two players to post a fielding percentage above .980 while playing at least three seasons with a minimum of 50 defensive chances, solidifying his place among the most dependable and accomplished players in Shawnee State baseball history.

Accolades and Accomplishments
- All-time leader in career defensive chances (1,269), career putouts (1,173), double plays turned (94)
- Second all-time in career games played at Shawnee State (196) and starts (191)
- .329 career batting average
- 13 home runs
- 25 doubles
- 81 walks
- Fifth all-time in program history in hits (198) and RBI (124), sixth all-time in total bases (274)
- .989 career defensive fielding percentage

Butch Kotcamp (2026 Ralph Kavanaugh Award Winner)

A pillar of Shawnee State's operations for over three decades, Kotcamp dedicated 32 years of service to the university, including 22 years as Director of Facilities, Planning and Construction. Throughout his tenure, Butch consistently supported Shawnee State University athletics, not only through financial contributions, but through his tireless commitment to maintaining and improving the university's athletic facilities, ensuring resources were used effectively and efficiently. Perhaps most notably, Butch's legacy is closely tied to his partnership with Ralph Kavanaugh. Ralph, who served in numerous roles including Equipment Manager, Assistant Intramural Coordinator, Waller Gym Supervisor and Game Management Coordinator, was known for his persistence and passion for SSU athletics. Whenever Ralph needed repairs, maintenance or upgrades, he called Butch -- and Butch always delivered. Their relationship went beyond professional collaboration, as it was built on mutual respect, trust and a shared commitment to the betterment of the university. Together, they exemplified a quiet dedication to SSU athletics, always prioritizing the success of the programs over personal recognition.