The 2026 Limestone County Sports Hall of Fame Induction ceremony will be held June 13 at the
Veterans Museum in Athens. The event will begin at 6:00 pm with dinner and the ceremony
beginning afterwards.

Tickets for the event can be purchased at the United Way of Athens-Limestone County. The
phone number for United Way is (256) 233-2323. Cost for the tickets is $40 per person.

The annual Martha Joe Leonard Memorial Golf Tournament will be held on June 11 at the
Canebrake Country Club. The four-man scramble format is hosted by the Limestone County
Sports Hall of Fame with proceeds going to funding college scholarships for local high school
students.

Tee time is scheduled for 1:00 pm with lunch being served prior to the tournament starting.
Cost to enter the event is $600 per team.

Anyone interested in participating in the tournament, should contact Barry DeVine (256) 777-
3810 or Jeff Hodges at (256) 497-6400.

The Limestone County Sports Hall of Fame Board of Directors is pleased to announce its class for the 2026 Hall of Fame. The six-person class is comprised of five former athletes and a long- time sports writer. The induction ceremony for this year’s class will be held June 13 at the Veterans Museum in Athens. The induction ceremony begins at 6:00 and tickets can be purchased at the United Way of Athens-Limestone County.

The 2026 inductees include the following:

Neil Chittam – The former Athens News-Courier sports editor, Chittam covered sports in Limestone County for over 25 years. He also umpired in the community for a number of years.

Channa Clay – A former All-State basketball star at West Limestone High School, Clay is the all-time leading scorer in the program’s history. She would later play for Mississippi State University.

Patrick Johnson – Johnson was a field goal specialist for the Athens High School football team. He would earn All-State honors before playing in the Southeastern Conference with the Vanderbilt Commodores.

Leon Lockett – A tremendous all-around player for the Elkmont High School basketball team, Lockett would average 28 points per game and 13 rebounds per game for the Red Devils during his senior year. He would sign a basketball scholarship with Wallace State (Hanceville) Community College.

Andrew Medley – Medley was a standout player for the Athens High School golf team. He won the individual 5A State Championship as a senior. He earned a golf scholarship to Auburn University playing four years for the Tigers. He would later turn professional, winning three tournaments on the Hooter’s Tour.

Rashaundra Shepard – Shepard earned several medals at the state level while competing for the Athens High School Track and Field team. She was also an outstanding tennis player for AHS. She participated in both sports while at student/athlete at Alabama A&M University.

Limestone County Sports Hall of Fame Board of Directors president Jeff Hodges says this year’s inductees are outstanding additions to the hall of fame. “We are excited again this year to induct six high quality individuals into the Limestone County Sports Hall of Fame,” said Hodges. “Five of these individuals were outstanding athletes in their respective sports who certainly left their mark on athletics in Limestone County. The sixth member spent a long professional journalism career reporting and promoting sports in Limestone County. They are all extremely worthy and will make excellent additions to the Hall of Fame.”

Download this press release

Thank you for visiting our website. The Limestone County Sports Hall of Fame was organized in 2003 to recognize deserving individuals who have excelled in their accomplishments in the field of sports. Our mission is to honor and promote Limestone County’s outstanding athletic performers who have contributed as an athlete, coach, administrator, or in a support role.

Each individual member’s contribution has been a source of pride in Limestone County’s sports history and each member has impacted many lives in our community.

This website was created with you in mind. The Limestone County Sports Hall of Fame Board of Directors considers it a privilege to recognize the men and women who have contributed to our sports history. Please navigate through this site and enjoy your visit.

For comments or information, please contact us by email.