Trevecca Athletics Hall of Fame welcomes largest induction class in history

By Maven McGregory

Sports Editor

Trevecca Nazarene University inducted its largest class of 10 individuals into its Athletics Hall of Fame on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, in Boone Convocation Center.

The inductees are Gary Van Atta, Steve Harris, Bob Amity, Ernie Reynolds, Byron Sanford, Ben Tyree, Crissie Cunha Lima, Chris Lowe, Calvin Da Cunha, and Sam Harris.

Established in 1993, the Hall of Fame recognizes coaches, athletes, and individuals who have made major contributions to Trevecca athletics.

Mark Elliott, Trevecca athletics director, said the university’s 125^th anniversary led the Hall of Fame committee to amend the charter to expand eligibility to recognize more individuals.

Each year, a 15 member committee selects each class of inductees with care and consideration.

“The members of the committee and I thought because it is the 125^th , it might be nice to amend the charter a little bit. For example, Ben Tyree, who previously would have been ineligible because he had not retired yet and had not been gone for five years. Does that really make sense for us not to put him in while people who are around, like his team, could celebrate that,” said Elliott

According to the Trevecca athletics Hall of Fame manual, coaches are now eligible five years after leaving Trevecca or after 15 years of service while actively coaching. The executive committee may vote to approve special considerations through a unanimous decision.

“We thought there are some people that really deserve this celebration, so we found a way where we could vote and allow that to happen,” said Elliott

Gary Van Atta coached women’s basketball from 2005 to 2016. His 2008 team finished 23-12 and is still the only team in Trevecca athletics history to reach a national championship game.

Steve Harris served Trevecca for 39 years as an administrator and coach. He helped oversee the university’s transition to NCAA Division II.

Bob Amity earned NAIA All-America honorable mention honors in baseball in 1982. He helped the Trojans win four conference championships and two all conference selections.

Ernie Reynolds coached softball from 2005 to 2008. He led the Trojans to a 196-43 record, won four consecutive conference championships, and earned the program’s first three NAIA national tournaments.

Byron Sanford finished his men’s basketball career with 1,379 points, 550 rebounds, 330 assists, 182 steals in 85 games during his time at Trevecca. He was named the 2016 Great Midwest Athletic Conference Player of the Year.

Ben Tyree became the first active Trojans head coach inducted into the Hall of Fame. The softball coach recorded a school-record 598 victories through 2026.

Crissie Cunha Lima  set three single-season volleyball records in 2002 of 619 kills, 106 service aces, and 155 sets played. She earned NAIA All-America honorable mention honors in 2003.

Chris Lowe set school baseball records for hits, runs and triples. He played 233 games and recorded 186 RBIs. As a freshman, he helped the 2006 team win 42 games and reach the NAIA Region XI championship game.

Calvin Da Cunha earned NAIA All-America honorable mention honors in men’s soccer as a freshman in 2005 and received all conference honors in three of four seasons. He later returned to Trevecca as an assistant coach and assisted the 2016 women’s team to the Great Midwest Atlantic Conference regular season championship.

Sam Harris coached men’s basketball for 25 seasons. He recorded a program-record 376 victories and led four teams to the NAIA national tournament.

During the ceremony, the inductees reflected on their experiences at Trevecca and received plaques honoring their achievements.

Elliott emphasized that each inductee’s accomplishments played a role in the success of Trevecca athletics.

“They all have added different things to, but they were noteworthy accomplishments. Therefore, we wanted to celebrate,” said Elliott

The ceremony reunited former athletes, coaches and families to celebrate the university’s athletic legacy, now with a total of 103 members in the Hall of Fame.