The Missouri Sports Hall of Fame celebrated the successes of the landmark federal Title IX legislation that paved the way for girls to compete in sports, with its Women’s Sports Luncheon presented by the Bee Payne-Stewart Foundation.
Wilson Logistics Arena on the campus of the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds in Springfield.
04/16/26
The Class of 2026 featured:
Sharman Paine Bennett – Springfield Tennis Instructor
Erica Calhoun – Southeast High School & Missouri State Track & Field Standout
Brenda Campbell – Versailles High Schools Volleyball Coach & AD
Janet Edge – Skyline High School Scorekeeper
El Dorado Springs Volleyball 1996-2005 Era
Evangel University Women’s Basketball 2001-2011 Era
Marla Kannady Foreman – Cottey College Volleyball Coach
Cathy Lairmore – SPS Middle School Coach
Debbie Hickey – Missouri S&T Athletic Administrator
Stockton High School 1983 Girls Track & Field State Championship Team
Tammy Thomas – Joplin Area Golf
Additionally, the Hall of Fame recognized the Wynn Awards, which are named in honor of the late Dr. Mary Jo Wynn, the pioneer of women’s athletics at Missouri State University who was named a Missouri Sports Legend in 2014. They are: track standout Gail Peak Brown (Marshfield High School), soccer player Kelly Brueggemann Clift (Ozark High School), cross country & track state champion Janell Hackman Duncan (Licking High School), volleyball and basketball’s Karen Gordon (Bronaugh High School/Missouri Southern State University), three-sport standout Kelly May (Kickapoo High School/Tulsa University), volleyball and basketball’s Lauren Standlee Peterson (Thomas Jefferson School/Hendrix College), and volleyball & basketball standout Molly Creach Terry (Logan-Rogersville High School/Drury University).