On March 30th, the United States Collegiate Athletic Association Hall of Fame Committee announced a five-member class that will be inducted at the 2026 USCAA Convention on June 7th in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Among the inductees is Hampton resident Jim Heath. Heath, who served as the Apprentice School's sports information director for over 15 years, is currently the Director of Strategic and Broadcast Communications for the Hampton University athletic department. It will be his second Hall of Fame selection, after being chosen for the Apprentice School HoF in 2023.
According to his official bio on the Hampton University athletics website:
"A 1992 graduate of Christopher Newport University, Heath was a student Sports Information Director throughout his collegiate days. Upon graduation with an English degree, he worked for two years as the Sports Information Intern at Old Dominion University from 1991-93. At ODU, he worked with nine sports including the field hockey team that did not lose a game in his two years.
After ODU, he returned to CNU serving as its first Assistant Sports Information Director for two years before going full-time with The Daily Press in Newport News, Va. in 1995 where he worked until March of 2001.
He returned the Sports Information field at The Apprentice School, where he served as the Sports Information Director from 2000-2015 for six sports. Heath played a key role in the establishment of their first website, institute live statistics at home events and help start their social media presence on Facebook and Twitter. While there, seven teams in his tenure at the school won national championships in the USCAA.
He is an active member of the College Sports Information Directors of America and the Virginia Sports Information Directors Association, where he was a two-time term as President of VaSID. Heath has served as the Sports Information Director for the Atlantic Central Football Conference (2004-2010), the National Collegiate Wrestling Association (2002-2007) and as the Media Director for the Virginia Duals wrestling tournament (2004-present). He was named the recipient of the Bob Moskowitz Media Award by the Peninsula Sports Club in June of 2008. In September of 2023, he was inducted into the Apprentice School Hall of Fame and in August of 2025 he was named the Coastal Plain League Scorekeeper of the Year for his work with the Peninsula Pilots.
Heath earned his 25-year recognition award from CoSIDA in May of 2021 after finishing his 25th year in athletic communications."
In a statement posted on social media, Heath, a 1986 graduate of Bethel High, wrote, "I have been very blessed in this career to be a part of championship teams and receive rings for that. This next one is one that I will cherish even more. To go into a Hall of Fame for an association I have worked for over 20 years with and seen grow from 40 members and holding on by the grace of the good Lord to a thriving association is special. To also go in with a pair of coaches that I have the utmost respect for not only for their work on the field/court, but moreso off is amazing. June 7 can't get here fast enough."
The USCAA’s seventh annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies will take place on June 7th at 6:30 p.m. with a dinner and induction ceremony at the Winston-Salem Marriott.
“We are proud to honor the 2026 class of inductees,” said USCAA Chief Executive Officer, BJ Bertges. “The National Convention and Hall of Fame dinner are a highlight for me every year, and recognizing the accomplishments of our student-athletes, coaches, and administrators is especially meaningful. This ceremony celebrates not only their impact, but also the continued evolution of our Association. Their contributions serve as a powerful reminder of our mission and inspire us to keep creating opportunities for success at the highest level.”
Former student-athlete honorees this year are: Kaitlin Dormire (Cleary University), Matthew Little (Andrews University).
Other staff member honorees this year are: Jim Chester (Penn State Greater Allegheny) and Klint Pleasant (Rochester Christian University).
Comments
Post a Comment