The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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12 THE WOLVERINE ❱ SEPTEMBER 2026 ❱ INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS U-M ANNOUNCES 2026 HALL OF HONOR INDUCTEES U-M athletics announced its eight-member 2026 Hall of Honor class on Aug. 3: John Beilein (men's basketball), Joe McFarland (wrestling), Nikki Peters (women's gymnastics), Bev Plocki (women's gymnastics), Sierra Romero (softball), Kellen Russell (wrestling), Chris Sabo (baseball) and Shana Welch (water polo). Beilein coached U-M men's basketball during 12 seasons from 2007-19, compiling a 278-150 record while guiding the team to nine NCAA Tournament appearances, two Final Fours and championship game appearances in 2013 and 2018. He developed nine NBA Draft picks, including seven first-round selections. McFarland coached U-M wrestling for 19 years, achieving three Big Ten dual titles and an NCAA runner-up finish in 2005. As a wres- tler himself, he earned four NCAA All-America honors and won the 1988 World Cup championship in freestyle wrestling. Russell, also a wrestling star, was a two-time NCAA champion in 2011-12 and held a 134-12 career record while twice being named Michigan Male Athlete of the Year. The women's gymnastics representation showcases the historic program excellence, with Peters earning six All-America honors and contributing to a national runner-up finish in 1999, which was led by Plocki. Plocki's 36-year coaching tenure included the program's first national title in 2021 and 26 Big Ten championships, the most by any coach in league history. Romero, U-M softball's most deco- rated player, was the 2016 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year and holds NCAA records for career runs (302) and grand slams (11). Sabo earned All-America honors in 1984, set a freshman home run re- cord that stood for 37 years, and went on to enjoy a nine-year MLB career that included 116 home runs, three All-Star selections and a 1990 World Series championship with the Cincin- nati Reds. Welch is the second water polo player inducted into U-M's Hall of Honor, hold- ing the program record with 297 career goals and earning three straight CWPA Division MVP awards (2005-07), the 2004 CWPA Rookie of the Year honor and All-America laurels. The Hall of Honor induction cere- mony will be held Sept. 11, the night before the football team's game ver- sus Oklahoma, with honorees recog- nized during that contest. Established in 1978, the Hall of Honor celebrates individuals who have made significant contributions to Wolverine athletics. JIM ABBOTT RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS JIMMY V AWARD FOR PERSEVERANCE Baseball alum Jim Abbott was honored with the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance on July 15. Abbott is the first Wolverine to receive this honor and just the second baseball player in the award's 20-year history, along with Liam Hendricks. The Jimmy V Award celebrates members of the sporting world who have overcome obstacles and adversity. Abbott's selection came af- ter his unique journey through the baseball ranks. He was born with- out a right hand and trailblazed his path through professional sports. During his three seasons at Michigan, Abbott compiled a 26-8 re- cord with 186 strikeouts and a 3.03 ERA in 234.1 innings pitched. His 26 wins rank fifth in program history, while his strikeout total ranks 10th. After his second season, he earned third-team All-America honors from Baseball America and the American Baseball Coaches Association. Abbott remains the only baseball player to win the James E. Sul- livan Award. He also captured the Golden Spikes Award in 1987, one of college baseball's highest honors. He was inducted into the U-M Hall of Honor in 2004 and the College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007, with his No. 31 jersey retired in 2009. In his 10-year MLB career, Abbott pitched 1,674 innings across 263 games, recording 888 strikeouts. He threw a no-hitter for the New York Yankees on Sept. 4, 1993, which marked the most memorable moment of his professional career. — Anthony Broome MAIZE AND BLUE NOTEBOOK Former men's basketball coach John Beilein is among the eight members of the 2026 Hall of Honor class. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL