BEREA, Ohio -- Baldwin Wallace University and the Department of Athletics have announced the 2026 Hall of Fame Class, honoring six individuals. The Class of 2026 will officially join the 392 current members of the Hall of Fame during an induction ceremony on Friday, October 9, at 7 p.m. in the Center for Innovation and Growth.
The class includes:
Kyle Chontos '15 - Baseball
Kim Gallavan '16 - Track & Field
Kevin Johnson '14 - Track & Field
Steve Murphy '96 - Baseball
Phillip (Phil) Sahley '95 - Football
Melanie Winters '16 - Track & Field
Kyle Chontos - Baseball - Class of '15
Kyle 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 - Track & Field - Class of '16
Kim 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 - Track & Field - Class of '14
Kevin 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 2013–2014 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 - Baseball - Class of '96
Steve Murphy '96 was a team captain and three-year letter-winner on the men's baseball team. He received the 1993 Outstanding Freshman Award and the 1994 Big Stick Award. He was a three-time All-OAC selection and a two-time NABC All-Mideast Region selection. Throughout his career, Murphy played in 134 total games and hit .344 (165 for 480) with 110 runs scored, 21 doubles, 3 triples, 1 home run, 63 runs batted in, and 14 stolen bases.
Phillip (Phil) Sahley - Football - Class of '95
Phil Sahley emerged as a leader on the Baldwin Wallace football teams of the early 1990s, helping the program compile a 36-5 record from 1991–1994, 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. His nomination emphasizes both his high-level play and his leadership-by-example within one of BW football's strongest eras.
Melanie Winters - Track & Field - Class of '16
Melanie Winters compiled one of the most decorated women's track and field careers in Baldwin Wallace history. A three-time national champion and ten-time All-American, Winters was a central figure on BW's 2016 indoor national championship and outdoor national runner-up teams. Her nomination credits her with more than eleven school records and highlights school-record or all-time-best performances across a wide range of events, including the hurdles, sprints, jumps, combined events, and relays—evidence of her extraordinary versatility and impact.
Induction Ceremony Details
- Date: Friday, October 9, 2026
- Location: Center for Innovation and Growth, 340 Front Street
- Cost: $50 per person
- Schedule:
- Check-in & Cocktails – 5:30 p.m.
- Dinner – 6:00 p.m.
- Induction Ceremony – 7:00 p.m.
- Registration: Register online here
