EMPORIA (KSNT) — Seven individuals and one team will be enshrined in Emporia State history forever.
Emporia State announced its 2026 ‘Hall of Honor’ inductees, to be inducted at noon on Oct. 23.
Below is the full list of inductees:
- Bob Fornelli – Baseball Player (1988-89), Coach (2004-18)
- Fornelli had a 599-266 record as the Hornets coach with 13 NCAA Tournament appearances, making him the winningest coach in ESU baseball history. In his 15 years at ESU, he led the team to five regular season conference titles, two MIAA Tournament titles, two World Series appearances and a national runner-up finish in 2009.
- Stephanie Goodwin – Softball Player (2012-15)
- Goodwin is a former MIAA Player of the Year and unanimous All-MIAA first-team selection. She also picked up three All-American honors in her time with the Lady Hornets. When she graduated, Goodwin was the MIAA career record holder in hits and doubles, ranking 12th all-time in Division II with 71 doubles. She was also the MIAA Freshman of the Year in 2012.
- Greg Kossover – Men’s Tennis Player (1981-85)
- Kossover won individual CSIC singles and doubles titles, while leading the Hornets to the CSIC team championship. He is also the namesake of ESU’s Kossover Family Tennis Center.
- Jurmaine Mitchell – Cross Country/ Track & Field Runner (1993-96)
- Mitchell won the MIAA cross country championship in 1994 and ’96, earning cross country All-American honors. He picked up indoor All-American honors in 1994 and ’95, with outdoor honors in 1995 and ’96.
- Mike Peterson – Baseball Player (1972-75)
- Peterson earned All-Great Plains Conference and NAIA All District honors his junior and senior years. He was named captain of the 1975 team, and went on to play professionally for the Sequin Toros upon graduation. He was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated on Aug. 9. 1971.
- Brent Wilson – Football Player (2012-15)
- Wilson was named the Ken B. Jones Award Winner, given to the MIAA’s top student-athlete, and finished fourth in voting for the Harlon Hill, the top Division II football player. He was a D2CCA All-American and conference Offensive Player of the Year in his senior season. He led the Hornets to an 11-3 record and Division II Quarterfinals in 2015, graduating ranked second in conference history in single season passing yards and total offense.
- Taylor Zordel – Softball Player (2012-15)
- Zordel earned MIAA Defensive Player of the Year honors her senior season, despite playing the final few games of the regular season and multiple conference tournament games with a broke bone in her glove hand. She was named a first-team All-MIAA shortstop three times, and earned second-team honors as a freshman. Zordel led the MIAA in assists, was second in runs and third in stolen bases.
- 1976 Baseball Team
- The 1976 ESU Baseball team finished third in the NAIA World Series with a 32-18 record. After a 7-4 win over Guilford, before entering the loser’s bracket with a 2-0 loss to Kentucky State. The Hornets would defeat St. Mary’s 9-5 before succumbing to the eventual national champions, Lewis, in the loser’s bracket championship, 2-1. Pitcher Ben Bounous and catcher Mike Shinn both earned All-American honors.
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