07/16/2026
THE GRAND RAPIDS SPORTS HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2026
Mark Keeler, Drew Neitzel, Sekou Smith, Stacy Snider, Amber Warners and the Kentwood Hockey & Skating Association Team to be Inducted this Fall
GRAND RAPIDS – The 2026 elected class for the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame has demonstrated sports excellence at the highest levels, and includes an impactful record-setting high school basketball coach, a former Mr. Basketball and collegiate standout, an NBA writer and broadcaster, a golfer who was dominant at multiple levels of the game, the winningest active coach in collegiate volleyball and a group of hockey enthusiasts who changed the face of the sport in West Michigan.
The honorees will be inducted in ceremonies at Van Andel Arena on Monday, Sept. 14. Ticket availability will be announced at a later date.
The new members of the Hall of Fame will include:
• Mark Keeler coached 38 basketball seasons at Tri-unity Christian, including the first varsity team at the school, and retired in 2025 after 721 wins, the third most in state history. His teams won seven state championships, reached 16 semifinals, and won 20 regional, 27 district and 23 conference titles. He was the National Federation of High School Sports Coach of the Year in 2013.
• Drew Neitzel starred in basketball at Wyoming Park where he was named 2004 Mr. Basketball and a Parade All-American. He finished his high school career among the MHSAA all-time leaders in career points (No. 5 - 2,462) and assists (No. 2 - 692), and at Michigan State he earned All-American, Academic All-American and First Team All-Big Ten honors and was Team Captain and MVP in 2007 and 2008.
• Sekou Smith, a writer, television analyst and podcast host who covered the NBA for almost two decades will be inducted posthumously as the Warren Reynolds Lifetime Achievement Award winner. He was a Grand Rapids Central High graduate who also went to Grand Rapids Community College. He started his career in newspapers in Atlanta and Indianapolis, was a senior analyst for NBA Digital and hosted the Hang Time Podcast. He died in January of 2021. He was 48.
• Stacy Snider dominated in high school golf at Grandville, including twice being named the Miss Golf, won the Michigan Women’s Amateur and was twice an All-Big Ten selection at Michigan State. She is the only women to have ever won the unique Michigan Tournament of Champions, and she played briefly on the LPGA Tour and coached college golf at Ohio State, Western Michigan and Davenport University.
• Amber Warners will be in her 26th year as a head women’s collegiate volleyball coach this fall, including 25 years at Calvin University. She has a 705-120 record for a winning percentage of .855, first among active NCAA Division III coaches. Her teams have won three national titles, and multiple conference tournaments and titles. She also coached softball for eight years at Calvin.
• The Kentwood Hockey and Skating Association will be inducted in the team category for its creation of a landmark hockey facility. With efforts from Kentwood hockey, skating parents, the city, private businesses, the school district, and many volunteers, the Kentwood Ice Arena broke ground in 1984. It did not involve or seek city or school district funding and led to the development of additional local arenas.
“It’s another incredible class that demonstrates achievement as athletes at the highest levels but also recognizes community involvement, coaching and media impact,” said Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame Chairman Mark Kimball in announcing the class. “The Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame is excited to recognize and honor them.”
The Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame honors prominent West Michigan athletes and those who have contributed to sports on a local, state, or national level, and presents annual events in support of local youth organizations and charities. Plaques and video displays commemorate the members at Van Andel Arena. Currently the Hall of Fame has enshrined 182 individuals and 17 teams.
The newly elected members have been invited, and the public is welcome to play in the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame Golf Classic, a scramble event on Monday, Aug. 17 at Thousand Oaks Golf Club. The event helps support youth sports through the Grand Rapids Public Schools Foundation. Sign up and learn more at www.grshof.com.
