Overview
The Greater Chattanooga Sports Hall of Fame has a very blue & gold tint for the 2026 class. Several former Chattanooga Mocs along with one present one earned merit into a coveted place in Scenic City lore.
 
Quick Breakdown

• The group being enshrined in the HOF from Chattanooga athletics includes:
  Tony Ball, Football (1977-80)
  Dana Reed (Mull), Softball (1999-02)
  Mark Wharton, current Vice Chancellor for Athletics
• There are two university alums joining them in Marie Crowe and Charlie Ayers. Crowe is entering for her meritorious work as a volleyball official in the area, while Ayers excelled in shooting sports.
• Mull is the daughter of current Mocs softball coach Frank Reed who coached her during her senior season. She is entering for her own coaching work as head coach of Gordon Lee High School in Chickamauga, Ga.
• Ball is one of the key cogs in a ferocious running game during his time at UTC. His 213 yards rushing at Western Carolina on Nov. 3, 1979 is the sixth-highest total by a Mocs back. His teams won three SoCon titles in the Mocs first three years in the league: 1977, 1978, 1979.
• Wharton took on leadership of the athletics department in the summer of 2017. During his tenure, his leadership has guided the department to unprecedented heights in the classroom as well as in fundraising and fan engagement. All the while, he also helped restore the championship culture. That led to the Cushman & Wakefield Athletics Director of the Year Award in 2023.
• Wharton just completed his work on the NCAA FCS Playoffs Selection Committee serving as Chair in the wildly successful 2025-26 finish.
• National Champion Herbert "Book" McCray '77 is already a member, but he is also being honored. A key member of the 1977 Men's Basketball NCAA DII titlists, McCray is receiving the Walt Lauter Male Lifetime Achievement Award.

 
Quotable
"It is quite humbling to be honest with you. Most of the time, this type of recognition comes as you look back on what's been accomplished. To have our work recognized in the midst of continuing to build on our amazing brand is very gratifying but also challenging. We need to continue to grow and navigate this time in college athletics at a high level. I am also grateful to be joined in this class by so many impressive Mocs alums. It will be a very special night for our athletics family" - Wharton
 
Resources – HOF Site | Wharton Bio | Ball Info | McCray Info
 
Banquet Information
March 9, 2026
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Chattanooga Convention Center
Tickets: Tickets cost $60 or $500 for a table of eight and be available Jan. 26-Feb. 25 through Eventbrite.
 
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