Oregon’s Sports Luminaries Prepare to Celebrate Top Performers at 2026 Oregon Sports Awards
Annual event slated for November 10 at Patricia Reser Center for the Arts, includes new class of inductees to Oregon Sports Hall of Fame
Portland, Oregon (October 1, 2026) — Sport Oregon shines a light on the state’s legacy and premier athletes this fall at the highly anticipated Oregon Sports Awards, held Tuesday, November 10, at the Patricia Reser Center for the Arts in Beaverton. The premier annual sports celebration will honor a new class of inductees to the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame. In addition to the 2026 Hall of Fame honorees, the awards ceremony will honor top athletes from all stages of competition, recognizing outstanding achievements and contributions to the state’s rich sports legacy.
“The Oregon Sports Awards bring together all the key players in our sports community to commemorate the past, celebrate the present, and imagine the future of athletics in Oregon,” said Jim Etzel, CEO of Sport Oregon. “We’re excited to host not only the honorees, but all the people and organizations that are working to enhance our communities through sport.”
Oregon Sports Awards is the preeminent sports recognition event of the year, attracting athletes, teams, leagues, brands, businesses and fans from around the state. The event is stewarded by Sport Oregon for the third year in a row, with a title sponsorship Populous, a global design firm with a local Portland office and portfolio that includes Oregon State University’s Reser Stadium expansion, Hillsboro Hops Ballpark and the new Kaiser Permanente Performance Center designed for the Portland Thorns and Portland Fire.
The Oregon Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2026 inductees include:
Christine Sinclair, Soccer (4-time Olympian, Gold Medalist, Canadian National Team; NWSL Champion, Portland Thorns; NCAA National Champion, University of Portland)
Mariel Zagunis, Fencing (5-time Olympian; 2-time Gold Medalist; Valley Catholic High School)
Jacoby Ellsbury, Baseball (2-time World Series Champion, Boston Red Sox; Oregon State University; Madras High School)
Bob Gross, Basketball (1977 NBA Champion, Portland Trail Blazers)
1971 Linfield Baseball Team (NAIA National Champions)
Additionally, this year’s event will recognize top athletes and sportsperson of the year, including:
High School Athletes of the Year
Frances Reuland (Soccer, Lincoln High School)
LaMarcus Bell (Football, Lake Oswego High School)
Small College Athletes of the Year
Ally Hammond (Track & Field, Pacific University)
Jack Gladfelter (Cross Country and Track & Field, Corban University)
Division I College Athletes of the Year
Kiara Romero (Golf, University of Oregon)
Dax Whitney (Baseball, Oregon State University)
Professional Athletes of the Year
Sophia Wilson (Soccer, Portland Thorns)
Deni Avdija (Basketball, Portland Trail Blazers)
Sports Person of the Year
Nick Carlin-Voigt (Men’s Soccer Coach, University of Portland)
“Great sports moments don't just happen on the field or court—they happen in the shared spaces that connect athletes, fans and entire communities,” said Jeff Yrazabal, Senior Principal at Populous. “We’re honored to partner with Sport Oregon, celebrating the extraordinary Hall of Fame inductees and tomorrow's rising stars who continue to elevate Oregon's athletic legacy.”
The Oregon Sports Awards kick off at 6 p.m. on November 10 with a welcome reception featuring photo opportunities and a chance to cross paths with honorees. The ceremony itself begins at 7 p.m. For more information about this year’s event, including ticket information, visit eventbrite.
The Patricia Reser Center for the Arts is located at 12625 SW Crescent St. in downtown Beaverton.
About Sport Oregon
Sport Oregon is a non-profit that uses the power of sport to elevate Oregon’s economy, communities, and culture. We bring major sporting events to the state, creating new opportunities to spectate, participate, and celebrate the best of sport. We champion sports infrastructure, working alongside civic leaders to ensure Oregon’s facilities match the passion of its athletes and communities. From youth sports to world championships, we fuel sport in Oregon.
About The Oregon Sports Hall of Fame and Museum
The Oregon Sports Hall of Fame and Museum was founded in 1978 to recognize and appreciate Oregon’s rich athletic history. Our goal is to inspire participation in sport and foster awareness of the values and life-long rewards gained from participation. The organization is built on the premise that the lessons of sports have a tremendous impact on society.
About Populous
Populous is a global design firm that began with a singular focus — to draw people together around the things they love through experiences that capture all the senses and amplify the emotion shared in human moments. Over the last 40+ years, the firm has designed more than 3,500 projects worth over $60 billion across emerging and established markets. With nearly 1,700 employees in more than 40 offices on four continents, and regional centers in Kansas City, London and Brisbane, Populous designs destinations that bring people together and leave a lasting impact. For more information, visit www.populous.com.