NORFOLK, Va. – Norfolk State University Athletics has announced its 2026-27 Athletics Hall of Fame class, an eight-member group of former Spartan standouts representing eight sports and more than five decades of program history.
The Class of 2026-27 includes Arsenio Jay Culver (Men's Tennis, 2009-12), Anthony Hall (Men's Track & Field, 1969-73), Dianne Harris (Volleyball, 1992-95), Devin Hemmerich (Baseball, 2013-17), Dominic Luka (Men's Cross Country/Track & Field, 2005-09), David F. Mack (Wrestling, 1962-63), Tony J. Murphy (Men's Basketball, 2004-08) and Lena "LeKita" Wilson (Softball, 1994-99).
In addition, former baseball pitcher Antone Brooks and former men's basketball guard Richard "Pee Wee" Kirkland will be recognized with the Spartan Icon Award for their lasting contributions to the Norfolk State legacy.
The class will be formally enshrined at the Norfolk State Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Friday, January 29, 2027. The honorees will also be recognized at the \women's basketball game against Howard University on January 30, 2027.
"We are incredibly proud to recognize this distinguished class of inductees whose achievements and contributions have left a lasting impact on Norfolk State Athletics," said Vice President and Director of Athletics Dr. Melody Webb. "Their legacy of excellence reflects the rich history, proud traditions, and competitive spirit that define Spartan Athletics. This honor not only celebrates their individual accomplishments but also recognizes the enduring impact they have made on our institution and the generations of Spartans who follow."
The class includes a 1976 Olympian and two-time NCAA All-American, the first Spartan ever named to an all-classification baseball All-America team, a Sports Illustrated "Faces in the Crowd" honoree and multiple members of the MEAC 50th Anniversary All-Time Teams. Together, the inductees helped deliver conference championships in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) and the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), as well as the Spartans' 1973 NCAA Division II national title in men's track and field.
2026-27 Inductees
Arsenio Jay Culver — Men's Tennis (2009-12)
Arsenio Culver is one of the most accomplished men's tennis players in Norfolk State history. A three-time First Team All-MEAC selection and member of the MEAC 50th Anniversary All-Time Men's Tennis Team, he holds program career records for singles wins, doubles wins, overall victories and winning percentage, and never posted a losing record in singles or doubles. Culver ranks seventh in MEAC history in career victories and third in career doubles wins. Currently, Culver serves as a collegiate head coach and founder of Culver Courts LLC providing tennis opportunities for underserved youth.
Anthony Hall — Men's Track & Field (1969-73)
Anthony Hall is one of the most accomplished track and field athletes in Norfolk State history. A two-time NCAA All-American, four-time CIAA record holder and NCAA Division II record holder, he helped lead the Spartans to the 1973 NCAA Division II National Championship. A standout javelin thrower, Hall won bronze at the 1973 NCAA Division II Championships and represented the United States at the World University Games, the Pan American Games and the 1976 Olympic Games, ranking among the nation's top throwers throughout the 1970s.
Dianne Harris — Volleyball (1992-95)
Dianne Harris left a lasting mark on Norfolk State volleyball, establishing school records and earning multiple conference honors during her collegiate career. A 1992 CIAA All-Rookie Team member and two-time All-CIAA selection (1993, 1995), she finished with 607 kills, seventh in program history, and set school single-game, single-season and career records for both service aces and blocks. A Dean's List student who went on to a career in healthcare administration, Harris helped establish the Delta Epsilon Silver Star Endowment with a $25,000 gift supporting scholarships for future Norfolk State students.
Devin Hemmerich — Baseball (2013-17)
Devin Hemmerich delivered one of the most dominant seasons in Norfolk State baseball history, cementing his legacy as the program's premier pitcher of the Division I era. In 2017, he posted a 10-2 record with a 1.97 ERA and a school-record 118 strikeouts, leading the MEAC in wins, ERA, strikeouts and WHIP. The program's career leader in wins (24) and strikeouts (315), Hemmerich became the first Spartan to earn all-classification All-America honors, receiving third-team recognition from Collegiate Baseball News, Perfect Game and the ABCA. Hemmerich was named the 2017 MEAC Pitcher of the Year, he was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 26th round of the MLB Draft.
Dominic Luka — Men's Cross Country / Track & Field (2005-09)
Dominic Luka ranks among the most versatile student-athletes of Norfolk State's Division I era. A two-time MEAC individual cross country champion (2007, 2008) and four-time All-MEAC honoree, he was named to the MEAC 50th Anniversary All-Time Cross Country Team. On the track, Luka won eight MEAC individual and relay titles and was named Most Outstanding Performer of the 2008 MEAC Indoor Championships, helping the Spartans capture 11 conference team championships. He was named Norfolk State Male Athlete of the Year and received the Norfolk Sports Club's Joseph Echols Memorial Award in 2006-07.
David F. Mack — Wrestling (1962-63)
David Mack helped establish a foundation of excellence for Norfolk State wrestling, making history in 1962 as the program's first CIAA wrestling champion after capturing the 191-pound title. A respected team captain, Mack demonstrated leadership and helped pave the way for future generations of NSU wrestling student-athletes. His commitment to leadership and service extended well beyond his collegiate career. Mack served 28 years in the U.S. Army Reserve, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, while also dedicating his professional career to education and coaching.
Tony J. Murphy — Men's Basketball (2004-08)
Tony Murphy established himself as a standout scorer during his Norfolk State basketball career, amassing 1,815 points to finish seventh on the program's all-time scoring list. Named Norfolk State Basketball Rookie of the Year (2005), Murphy continued to distinguish himself on the court, earning All-MEAC Second Team (2006 and 2007) and All-MEAC First Team and All-MEAC Tournament honors in 2008. His basketball career extended beyond Norfolk State, including professional competition in Portugal's Proliga and selection in the NBA D-League Draft. Today, Murphy continues to make an impact on the game, mentoring and developing the next generation of basketball players through Impact Shooting Academy.
Lena "LeKita" Wilson — Softball (1994-99)
Lena Wilson was one of the most dominant hitters in Norfolk State softball history. In 1997, she batted .518 with a .993 slugging percentage, struck out just seven times in 141 at-bats and became the first Spartan to reach double-digit home runs in a season, a record that stood for 21 years. Named CIAA Player of the Year in 1997, she led Norfolk State to the CIAA Championship that same season and was featured in Sports Illustrated's "Faces in the Crowd." She ranks third in program history with 22 career home runs.
Spartan Icon Award Honorees
Antone Brooks — Baseball
Antone Brooks turned in one of the most effective pitching seasons in Norfolk State history in 1995, posting a 1.75 ERA that still ranks fourth in the program record book. The left-hander was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 11th round of the 1995 Major League Baseball Draft and went on to pitch six professional seasons (1995-1999, & 2001), reaching the Triple-A level before retiring in 2001.
Richard "Pee Wee" Kirkland — Men's Basketball
Richard "Pee Wee" Kirkland brought his electrifying style of play from Harlem to Norfolk State, becoming a driving force behind head coach Ernie Fears' fast-break offense alongside future Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Bob Dandridge. He helped deliver Norfolk State's first CIAA championship in 1968, earning CIAA Tournament MVP honors while shooting .676 from the field, the third-best single-season mark in program history. Selected by the Chicago Bulls in the 1969 NBA Draft, Kirkland has since mentored young athletes through his "School of Skillz" program and was inducted into the American Basketball Hall of Fame (2022) and New York City Basketball Hall of Fame (2026).
Induction Ceremony
The 2026-27 Norfolk State Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held on January 29, 2027, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott Hotel in downtown Norfolk, Va.
Ticket are on sale now at the following link. The class will also be honored during Alumni Night at the women's basketball game against Howard University on January 30.
For more information on the Norfolk State Athletics Hall of Fame, including nominations, visit nsuspartans.com.
Media Contact: Alysse Scripter, Assistant AD for Athletic Communications, akscripter@nsu.edu
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