Springfield Area Sports Hall of Fame 2026 Induction Banquet
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The 2026 Springfield Area Sports Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony is just five weeks away - mark your calendars for Tuesday, September 29th at the Oasis Convention Center in Springfield ... and get your tickets now by visiting this website link: https://www.springfieldhof.org/banquet-ticket-sponsor-info
We'll take this opportunity to recognize individually the eight local sports legends (and an Era of Excellence honoree) that make up this great induction class in our Facebook posts over the coming days/weeks.
Starting with ...
Steve Hesser!
The former Glendale High School and Drury University basketball coaching legend had already established himself as a Hall of Famer with his work in the state of Oklahoma before moving into the SW Missouri coaching ranks at Glendale in the mid-1990s.
After a successful run of Falcons teams, Hesser was given the opportunity to take over the Drury Panthers basketball program in 2004 ... and all he did was retire as the winningest coach in the tradition-rich program's history, and bring home DU's first basketball national championship with the Panthers' memorable run to the title in Atlanta in 2013.
Hesser amassed a 354-145 record in 17 seasons with the Panthers, setting school marks for total victories and winning percentage (.709) will perennially leading the program to NCAA-II tourney berths and Great Lakes Valley Conference titles.
Hesser is joined in this SASHOF class by former Kickapoo/Nebraska/NFL football standout Steve Warren, long-time local media presence Scott Puryear, former soccer star Ann Cook, former Fair Grove and Missouri State/MLB baseball star Jason Hart, former MSU track coaching legend Richard Clark, former Hillcrest High baseball coaching standout Dave Davis, the late former Glendale/Missouri State baseball great Howard Bell and the Era of Excellence winners, the Missouri State baseball program under the 42-year guidance of legendary coach Keith Guttin.
Get your tickets now for the Sept. 29 banquet at the Oasis!
We'll take this opportunity to recognize individually the eight local sports legends (and an Era of Excellence honoree) that make up this great induction class in our Facebook posts over the coming days/weeks.
Starting with ...
Steve Hesser!
The former Glendale High School and Drury University basketball coaching legend had already established himself as a Hall of Famer with his work in the state of Oklahoma before moving into the SW Missouri coaching ranks at Glendale in the mid-1990s.
After a successful run of Falcons teams, Hesser was given the opportunity to take over the Drury Panthers basketball program in 2004 ... and all he did was retire as the winningest coach in the tradition-rich program's history, and bring home DU's first basketball national championship with the Panthers' memorable run to the title in Atlanta in 2013.
Hesser amassed a 354-145 record in 17 seasons with the Panthers, setting school marks for total victories and winning percentage (.709) will perennially leading the program to NCAA-II tourney berths and Great Lakes Valley Conference titles.
Hesser is joined in this SASHOF class by former Kickapoo/Nebraska/NFL football standout Steve Warren, long-time local media presence Scott Puryear, former soccer star Ann Cook, former Fair Grove and Missouri State/MLB baseball star Jason Hart, former MSU track coaching legend Richard Clark, former Hillcrest High baseball coaching standout Dave Davis, the late former Glendale/Missouri State baseball great Howard Bell and the Era of Excellence winners, the Missouri State baseball program under the 42-year guidance of legendary coach Keith Guttin.
Get your tickets now for the Sept. 29 banquet at the Oasis!
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Where is it happening?
Oasis Hotel & Conv. Center, Ascend Hotel Collection (2546 North Glenstone, Springfield, MO), United States
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
Host or PublisherSpringfield, Mo. Area Sports Hall of Fame
