BEREA, Ohio -- The Baldwin Wallace University Department of Athletics is set to welcome six new members into the Baldwin Wallace Athletics Hall of Fame this week as the Class of 2026 will be officially inducted this Friday, October 9, at 7 p.m. at the Center for Innovation and Growth.
The 2026 Hall of Fame Class features six standout Yellow Jackets who made significant contributions to Baldwin Wallace athletics: Kyle Chontos '15 (Baseball), Kim Gallavan '16 (Track & Field), Kevin Johnson '15 (Track & Field), Steve Murphy '96 (Baseball), Philip (Phil) Sahley '95 (Football), and Melanie Winters '16 (Track & Field).
The six inductees will join the 392 current members of the Baldwin Wallace Athletics Hall of Fame during Friday's ceremony.
Kyle Chontos '15 – Baseball
Chontos completed one of the finest baseball careers in Baldwin Wallace history in 2015. A Division III All-American and Kenneth Steingass Award winner as BW's most outstanding senior male athlete, Chontos established career school records for games played, games started, at-bats, runs scored, hits, singles, doubles, RBI and putouts. Over 173 games, including 172 starts, he batted .343 with 226 hits, 56 doubles, 154 RBI and 42 stolen bases while helping lead the Yellow Jackets to two NCAA Division III tournament berths, a Mid-Atlantic Regional title and the program's first appearance in the Division III College World Series.
Kim Gallavan '16 – Track & Field
Gallavan authored a remarkable track and field career that included three NCAA Division III national championships and six All-American honors. A key member of BW's 2016 indoor national championship and outdoor national runner-up teams, Gallavan won national titles in the indoor shot put, indoor weight throw and outdoor shot put while also earning All-America recognition in additional events. She was named the USTFCCCA Women's Field Outstanding Performer at the NCAA Division III Indoor Championships, earned regional and conference field-athlete honors, and set BW records in the indoor weight throw, indoor shot put and outdoor hammer throw.
Kevin Johnson '15 – Track & Field
Johnson was one of the most dynamic two-sport student-athletes of his era, excelling in both track and field and football. On the track, he was the 2013-14 Kenneth Steingass Award winner, a two-time NCAA Division III national champion in the 100 and 200 meters, a multiple-time All-American, the 2014 USTFCCCA Division III Male Athlete of the Year and the OAC Outdoor Championship Meet Sprinter of the Year. He also held multiple school records, including marks in the 55-meter dash, 60-meter dash, indoor and outdoor 200 meters, 100 meters and the 4x100 relay. In football, Johnson added strong all-around production as both a receiver and return specialist while helping the Yellow Jackets compile a 28-12 record.
Steve Murphy '96 – Baseball
Murphy was a team captain and four-year letter-winner on the Baldwin Wallace baseball team. He received the 1993 Outstanding Freshman Award and the 1994 Big Stick Award while earning three All-OAC selections and two NABC All-Mideast Region honors. Throughout his career, Murphy played in 134 games and hit .344 (165-for-480) with 110 runs scored, 21 doubles, three triples, one home run, 63 RBI and 14 stolen bases.
Philip (Phil) Sahley '95 – Football
Sahley emerged as a leader on the Baldwin Wallace football teams of the early 1990s, helping the program compile a 36-5 record from 1991-94, including an OAC championship in 1991 and a tri-championship in 1994. A team captain and first-team All-OAC selection, Sahley earned the Paul Hoernemann Most Valuable Defensive Lineman Award and was recognized nationally through Associated Press Little All-American, Don Hansen Football Gazette All-American, NCAA Division III SID All-American and Schooner's Coaches Association All-American honors.
Melanie Winters '16 – Track & Field
Winters compiled one of the most decorated women's track and field careers in Baldwin Wallace history. A three-time national champion and 10-time All-American, Winters was a central figure on BW's 2016 indoor national championship and outdoor national runner-up teams. Her career included more than 11 school records, with school-record or all-time-best performances across a wide range of events, including the hurdles, sprints, jumps, combined events and relays, highlighting her extraordinary versatility and impact.
Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
The Class of 2026 will be formally inducted during a ceremony on Friday, October 9, at the Center for Innovation and Growth, 340 Front Street.
Those interested in attending Friday's celebration can register online here.
