Kentucky will induct 2021 Hall of Fame class this weekend

This is a big weekend for University of Kentucky athletics. Not only will the football, basketball, and volleyball teams all be in action, the university will formally induct its 2021 Hall of Fame class. This year’s inductees are Bettie Lou Evans (women’s golf), Kendra Harrison (track & field), Nazr Mohammed (men’s basketball), Larry Warford (football), Bob Whelan (cross country/track & field), and Arin Gilliland Wright (women’s soccer).

The group will be joined by the 2020 class that could not be honored last year because of Covid precautions: Chanda Bell (softball), Sawyer Carroll (baseball), Ron Mercer (men’s basketball), AJ Reed (baseball), Danny Trevathan (football) and Wayne Turner (men’s basketball). The induction dinner and ceremony take place Thursday evening at the Central Bank Center. If tradition holds, the inductees will be introduced during Saturday’s football game vs. Tennessee. If I had to guess, I’d say we might see a triple Y of Nazr Mohammed, Ron Mercer, and Wayne Turner at Friday night’s exhibition vs. Miles College.

UK Athletics 2021 Hall of Fame Class

Bettie Lou Evans (Women’s Golf, 1979-2001)

Bettie Lou Evans was the head coach of women’s golf for 23 seasons from 1980-2001. Evans led the program to five NCAA Tournament appearances with a fifth-place finish in 1986. A coach of six first-team All-SEC selections, Evans also ran golf operations for 17 years after retirement.

Kendra Harrison (Track & Field, 2014-15)

Kendra Harrison was a member of the women’s track and field team from 2014-15. After being crowned an NCAA champion in the indoor 60m hurdles and outdoor 100m hurdles, Harrison now owns the world record for 100m hurdles (12.20 seconds). She won a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics in the event. Harrison helped lead the program to a second-place outdoor finish in the 2015 tournament.

Nazr Mohammed (Men’s Basketball, 1996-98)

Nazr Mohammed played in the NBA for 18 seasons before moving on to be a scout for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Before that, the five-man won two NCAA championships at Kentucky. Mohammed was the leading rebounder on the 1998 squad that won the title.

Larry Warford (Football, 2009-12)

Larry Warford was a Kentucky native that played offensive guard at Kentucky from 2009-12. After receiving All-America honors as a senior, Warford would play in the NFL for seven years for the Detroit Lions and New Orleans Saints.

Bob Whelan (Cross Country/Outdoor Track/Indoor Track, 1987-90)

Bob Whelan was a cross country and track athlete at Kentucky from 1987-90. During his career, Whelan won six SEC championships. In 1990, Whelan brought home the NCAA indoor championship in the mile. Whelan was an All-American every year from 1989-91.

Arin Gilliland Wright (Women’s Soccer, 2011-2014)

Arin Gilliland Wright played women’s soccer at Kentucky from 2011-14. An All-American in 2014, Gilliland Wright won SEC Defensive Player of the Year honors before being selected in the 2014 National Women’s Soccer League draft. Gilliland Wright still plays for the Chicago Stars.