YORK COUNTY, SC (January 13, 2026)— Eight new members will be inducted into the York County Sports Hall of Fame (YCSHOF) during the biennial banquet at the Rock Hill Sports and Event Center on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. Inductees were chosen by the York County Sports Hall of Fame Selection Committee which accepted and evaluated nominations.

 

“The 2026 York County Sports Hall of Fame induction class is another outstanding example of the excellence that has defined athletics in our county over the years,” said Chris Miller, Selection Committee Chair of the York County Sports Hall of Fame. “This year’s class includes three coaches who collectively bring more than 100 years of experience, along with five athletes who competed at the highest levels of football, boxing, and wrestling. Beyond their accomplishments, these inductees continue to serve our community by mentoring and coaching youth programs in the area, giving us yet another reason to be proud to call York County home.”

 

The public is invited to join the YCSOF to recognize and celebrate the eight inductees for their individual athletic achievements at the York County Sports Hall of Fame banquet on Wednesday, May 13, 2026 at 6 p.m. at the Rock Hill Sports & Event Center. 

Tickets are available to purchase for $50 at the link below. 

York County Sports Hall of Fame Banquet Ceremony Tickets, Wed, May 13, 2026 at 6:00 PM | Eventbrite

 

If you are interested in becoming an event sponsor, please contact Allison Cleveland at acleveland@visityorkcounty.com.

 

Class of 2026 York County Sports Hall of Fame Inductees:

 

  • Lamar Thompson, Rock Hill, SC

    • Two-sport athlete Rock Hill High School, competing in football and wrestling

    • Captain of the 1991 Rock Hill High School football team, winning back-to-back state wrestling titles (1990, 1991) before graduating and playing football at Newberry College.

    • First-ever NHSCA National Champion from South Carolina, 1991 Bearcat Pride Wrestling Award winner, High School All-American honors, 1991 Max Davis Male Athlete of the Year, and an inaugural member of the Rock Hill High School Wrestling Hall of Fame.

    • Is the current Director of the Upper Palmetto YMCAs (16 years), and serves York County as a part of a number of service organizations, boards, and festival committees every year.

  • Lamont Hall, Clover, SC

    • Multi-sport athlete at Clover High School from 1989 to 1993 (football, basketball, and baseball), earning MVP, All-Conference, and Region Player of the Year as a senior while becoming Clover’s all-time leading scorer in basketball.

    • Played tight end at Clemson, receiving All-ACC honors and the Joe Francis Leadership Award in 1997.

    • Played in the NFL with five different teams, appearing in 77 games and recording 19 receptions, 174 receiving yards, and 2 touchdowns.

 

  • Ko Simpson, Rock Hill, SC

    • Played on Rock Hill High Schools’ 2002 4A State Championship team. Represented Rock Hill at that year’s South Carolina Shrine Bowl game while being named All-State, All-Region, All-Area, and Co-Player of the Year.

    • Played safety for the University of South Carolina from 2004-2005, leading the SEC in interceptions as a freshman and becoming the first USC player to receive conference Freshman of the Year honors while being named to the All-SEC and the Football Writers Association of America All-American teams. 

    • Drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the 4th round of the 2006 NFL Draft, spent 3 seasons in Buffalo before being traded to the Lions and finished career with 174 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, and 3 interceptions. 

 

  • Calvin Hudgins, York County, SC

    • Coached Track & Field and Cross Country for over 30 years at York County Schools, including Clover (1988-1994), Rock Hill (1994-1997), and Northwestern (1997-2022).

    • Recognized as 2014 USTFCCCA Boys & Girls Cross Country National Coach of the Year, won four South Carolina Track & Field Coach of the Year awards, nine Rock Hill Herald All-Area Coach of the Year awards, and was inducted into the South Carolina Track & Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame (2006) and the Northwestern High School Hall of Fame (2023).

    • His teams won two Girls Track & Field State Championships (2003, 2004), two Boys Cross Country State Championships (2004, 2005), and two Girls Cross Country Individual State Championships (2001, 2007) while more than 40 of his athletes between 1993-2022 won Individual Track & Field State Championships.

 

  • Arthur ‘Buck’ Schwing, Rock Hill, SC

    • Buck has coached football and baseball for over 50 years in Rock Hill, with several of his players already enshrined in the York County Sports Hall of Fame. 

    • Served as a Regional Athletic Officer for SC American Legion Baseball and still represents American Legion Post 34 on the South Carolina American Legion Baseball Committee. 

    • Inducted into the South Carolina American Legion Baseball Hall of Fame (2023).

 

  • Gregg Marshall, Rock Hill, SC

    • Coached college basketball for 35 years, including 22 as a head coach at Winthrop and Wichita State Universities. 

    • His nine seasons at Winthrop lifted the program to six Big South Conference regular-season and tournament championships, a 2007 NCAA Tournament victory, and a 194-83 record overall. This earned him Mid-Major National Coach of the Year, four Big South Coach of the Year awards, and induction into the Big South Hall of Fame (2012), and Winthrop Hall of Fame (2013).

    • In 2014, after taking Wichita State to the NCAA Tournament Final Four, he was awarded almost every national coach award including the Naismith, AP, USBWA, and Sporting News Coach of the Year awards.

 

  • Shane Benfield, York, SC

    • Standout Football & Basketball Player for York Comprehensive High School, earning Honorable Mention All-Area Quarterback and Punter.

    • Benfield had a 25-5 amateur and a 20-2 professional record as a boxer, winning 6 Consecutive State Golden Gloves Championships, a CBA Light Heavyweight Title, and the Southeast Light Heavyweight Tournament. He was named South Carolina Fighter of the Year, South Carolina Boxing Coach of the Year, and was Inducted into the Carolina Boxing Hall of Fame (2016).

    • His only two professional boxing losses came on the brink of a world title opportunity, both against fighters who would go on to fight in World Boxing Organization Title Fights.

 

  • Mason Rudolph, Rock Hill, SC

    • At Northwestern High School, Rudolph led the Trojans to an undefeated record, a 4A State Title, and a #7 national ranking. He represented Northwestern in the Shrine Bowl Game, where SC won the game and he was named MVP. 

    • He played quarterback at Oklahoma State (2014-2017), becoming their winningest quarterback of all time with a 32-9 record as a starter and setting Big 12 records for touchdowns (43) and passing yards (4,904) in 2017. His college awards include the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm (2017), Sammy Baugh Award (2017), Multiple All-Americans, and Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year. 

    • Drafted 79th overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers (2018). He is in his 8th season in the NFL with 20 total starts, 5,200 passing yards, and 32 touchdowns. 

 

To learn more about the York County Sports Hall of Fame, visit https://www.visityorkcounty.com/hall-of-famers/.

 

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About Visit York County:

As the Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) for York County, South Carolina, Visit York County exists to raise the profile and boost the economy of York County through tourism and destination marketing while also contributing to the quality of life for residents. For additional information, visit www.VisitYorkCounty.com.