Norfolk State University is preparing to honor eight Spartan greats whose contributions to the university’s athletic legacy span six decades.
The 2026-27 Athletics Hall of Fame class will recognize former Spartan standouts across multiple generations, while Antone Brooks and Richard “Pee Wee” Kirkland will receive the prestigious Spartan Icon Award.
The announcement celebrates the individuals who helped shape Norfolk State athletics and left a lasting mark on the university’s history.
Meet the 2026-27 Hall of Fame Class
The eight inductees represent a wide range of athletic achievements:
Arsenio Jay Culver — Men’s Tennis (2009-12): Three-time First Team All-MEAC selection who holds multiple program career records.
Anthony Hall — Men’s Track & Field (1969-73): Two-time NCAA All-American, 1976 Olympian and key contributor to Norfolk State’s 1973 NCAA Division II national championship.
Dianne Harris — Volleyball (1992-95): Two-time All-CIAA selection who established multiple school records.
Devin Hemmerich — Baseball (2013-17): 2017 MEAC Pitcher of the Year who finished his career as Norfolk State’s all-time leader in wins (24) and strikeouts (315).
Dominic Luka — Men’s Cross Country/Track & Field (2005-09): Two-time MEAC individual cross country champion who won eight conference individual and relay titles.
David F. Mack — Wrestling (1962-63): Norfolk State’s first CIAA wrestling champion, capturing the 191-pound title in 1962.
Tony J. Murphy — Men’s Basketball (2004-08): Scored 1,815 career points, ranking seventh in program history.
Lena “LeKita” Wilson — Softball (1994-99): 1997 CIAA Player of the Year who led the Spartans to a conference championship.
Spartan Icon Award recipients
Antone Brooks — Baseball
Brooks recorded a 1.75 ERA in 1995, the fourth-best mark in program history. The left-handed pitcher was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 11th round of the 1995 MLB Draft and played six professional seasons.
Richard “Pee Wee” Kirkland — Men’s Basketball
Kirkland helped Norfolk State capture its first CIAA championship in 1968, earning tournament MVP honors. He was selected by the Chicago Bulls in the 1969 NBA Draft and has continued mentoring young athletes.
Induction Ceremony
Event: Norfolk State Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Time: 7–9 p.m.
Location: Norfolk Waterside Marriott, Norfolk, Virginia
Additional recognition: The inductees will be honored during the women’s basketball game against Howard on January 30.
The class represents generations of excellence, from the early foundations of Spartan athletics to more recent conference and individual accomplishments.
