ORANGEBURG, SC – Two of South Carolina State top donors will highlight the University's 2026 Hall of Fame Class set to be inducted August 28^th at Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center on the campus.

The annual event recognizes former student-athletes, coaches, administrators and supporters whose achievements and contributions have left a lasting impact on South Carolina State Athletics. Alumni, supporters and friends of Bulldog Athletics are encouraged to attend and celebrate this distinguished class of inductees. Individual tickets are $75 each, a table of 10 is $500. Advertisements and sponsorship opportunities are also available. Visit the SCSU athletic website (scsuathletics.com) for other details.

Dr. James (Jim) H. Salley, an Orangeburg native, and Dr. Charles (Chuck) Gadsden, a Charleston native who resides in Orangeburg, will be among fifteen (15) individuals inducted during a 6:45 p.m. Enshrinement Ceremony. The ceremony will be preceded by dinner and a cocktail hour, beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Salley, the Associate Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement for Africa University in Zimbabwe, and Gadsden a retired educator and CEO of the Gadsden Group, are members of SC State's Thomas E. Miller Society, which recognizes individuals, couples, corporations, foundations and organizations whose cumulative giving totals $100,000 or more. Salley is being inducted as a contributor/benefactor, while Gadsden is being enshrined for his baseball achievements.

Salley, an Orangeburg-Wilkinson High graduate and a 1973 SC State alumnus, spent fifteen years in the field of broadcasting. He was the longtime public address announcer for Bulldog football games and served as executive producer, host, and road manager of the school's football television show for fourteen years.

Gadsden was a standout baseball player for SC State in the early 70s. He earned three letters (1971-1973) as a first baseman for the Bulldogs, and also reaped All-State,  All-District Six and Most Valuable Player accolades.
Also being enshrined are eight football players, three posthumous; two men's basketball players, and one individual each in track and field, women's tennis, and men's golf.

Others to be honored in the 2026 Class are football standouts John Courtney (DL 1978-1982), Leonard Duncan (DB/KR 1973-1976), Charles Glaze (QB 1983-1986), Tyler McDonald (WR 2010-2013), Walter Mitchell (DL 1965-1969), Damien Moses (DL 1988-1992); Chris Ragland (RB 1976-1980), and Robert "Mickey" Sims (DL 1973-1976). Duncan, Moses, and Sims are being inducted posthumously.

Also, basketball players Bernard Bowman (G 1984-1988) and Ralph Miller (G 1982-1985); Maria Craciun (women's tennis 2010-2013), John Hinson (track & field 1978-1982), and Douglas Grier (golf 1974) who is also being enshrined posthumously.