MEAC Unveils 2026 Hall of Fame Induction Class

The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) has officially announced its 2026 Hall of Fame Class, honoring five extraordinary individuals whose careers have made a lasting impact on the conference and its member institutions. The inductees will be celebrated during the 2026 MEAC Basketball Tournament, held March 11–14 in Norfolk, Virginia.

MEAC Commissioner Sonja Stills shared her congratulations, noting, “The MEAC Hall of Fame is a testament to excellence, leadership, and service. Each of our 2026 inductees represents the very best of our conference’s history and values, and their achievements will continue to inspire future generations of MEAC student-athletes.”

Established in 1981, the MEAC Hall of Fame recognizes former student-athletes, coaches, administrators, and influential contributors who have shaped the conference since its founding in 1970. This year’s selections were chosen by an eight-member committee of MEAC administrators and representatives.

The 2026 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held Thursday, March 12 at the Norfolk Marriott Waterside Hotel. Tickets are now available—$65 for individual seats or $500 for a table of eight. Souvenir program advertising opportunities are also open, with full-page color ads priced at $500 and black-and-white ads at $300.

2026 Hall of Fame Inductees

Sandra Booker, Bethune-Cookman University
Sandra Booker, the longest-serving Senior Woman Administrator in MEAC history, spent more than two decades elevating the student-athlete experience at Bethune-Cookman and across the conference. From guiding the Wildcats to multiple All-Sports Awards, to helping steer MEAC operations during the COVID-19 pandemic, to championing women’s sports and Title IX initiatives, Booker’s influence is felt conference-wide.
A versatile leader, she also coached women’s basketball—earning 2003 MEAC Coach of the Year—and softball, becoming the only B-CU women’s coach to defeat Florida A&M in both sports.

Dr. Riccardo Jones, North Carolina Central University
A dominant force in MEAC tennis from 1972–75, Jones held the No. 1 singles position throughout his career and captured three straight MEAC individual championships. Paired with three No. 1 doubles titles and four team championships, his on-court accomplishments remain unmatched. Jones excelled academically as well, earning Academic All-America honors while majoring in both chemistry and biology—exemplifying NCCU’s ideal student-athlete.

Khalil Rmidi Kinini, University of Maryland Eastern Shore
One of the most accomplished distance runners in MEAC history, Kinini rewrote the record books during his time at UMES. He became the program’s first NCAA Cross Country Championship qualifier in 2016 and an NCAA Outdoor Championship competitor in the steeplechase. A six-time MEAC Outstanding Performer and 2017 MEAC Male Student-Athlete of the Year, Kinini still holds UMES records in the steeplechase, 10,000m, mile, and 3,000m. His achievements elevated both UMES and the MEAC on the national stage.

Kendall Langford, Hampton University
A powerhouse defensive end for Hampton from 2004–07, Kendall Langford built a legacy of dominance with 236 career tackles, 56 tackles for loss, and 23 sacks. A three-time First Team All-MEAC selection and AP All-American, Langford turned his collegiate success into a decade-long NFL career with the Dolphins, Rams, Colts, and Texans. His combination of strength, consistency, and playmaking cemented his place among the MEAC’s greatest defensive talents.

Tywain McKee, Coppin State University
One of Coppin State’s all-time greats, Tywain McKee starred from 2006–09, averaging 17 points per game and leading the Eagles to the 2008 MEAC Tournament Championship. His Tournament Most Outstanding Player performance—highlighted by a tournament-record 93 points—remains legendary. A three-time First Team All-MEAC selection and the 2009 MEAC Player of the Year, McKee ranks among the conference’s all-time leaders in scoring, free throws, and steals. His success continued professionally with championship-winning stints across multiple countries.

About the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference

Entering its 55th year of intercollegiate competition, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference is home to eight distinguished historically Black institutions: Coppin State, Delaware State, Howard, Maryland Eastern Shore, Morgan State, Norfolk State, North Carolina Central, and South Carolina State. Headquartered in Norfolk, Va., the MEAC champions academic and athletic excellence across its membership.
Learn more at MEACSports.com.