Heidelberg University Athletics will welcome seven new members into its Athletic Hall of Fame as part of the 2026 induction class. The induction ceremony is scheduled for the evening of Sept. 26, 2026.
The inductees:
Bob Youngblood '70, Career Distinction and Dedication: Wrestled at Heidelberg before embarking on a long career as an educator and coach in Northeast Ohio ... Encouraged generations of Northeast Ohio students to attend Heidelberg ... Later returned to his alma mater and served the University in both Alumni Engagement and Admission ... His decades of service and advocacy strengthened Heidelberg Athletics and the University's connection with alumni and prospective students throughout the region.
Aaron Hay '02, Cross Country/Track & Field: Helped Heidelberg's cross country team qualify for the NCAA Championships in 1998 and 1999 ... Earned All-Region honors in 1998 and 2000 and All-Ohio recognition in 2000 and 2001 ... Named OAC Runner of the Year in both 2000 and 2001 ... Four-time First Team All-OAC selection in cross country ... Won OAC championships in the outdoor 5,000-meter run in 2001 and 10,000-meter run in 2002 ... Also earned All-OAC honors in both events.
Morgan Magers Hurd '10, Volleyball: AVCA All-American in 2008 and 2009, earning Second Team honors as a senior ... Two-time AVCA All-Region selection ... Three-time All-OAC honoree, including First Team selections in 2008 and 2009 ... CoSIDA Academic All-American and Academic All-District honoree ... Three-time Academic All-OAC selection ... Finished her career with 5,639 assists, nearly 1,900 more than any other player in program history at the time ... Also ranked among Heidelberg's career leaders in sets played and digs.
Julius Higginbotham '10, Track & Field: Two-time All-American in the long jump, earning indoor and outdoor honors in 2010 ... NCAA national qualifier in the long jump and 55-meter dash ... Named OAC Most Outstanding Track Athlete in 2009 and OAC Most Outstanding Field Athlete in 2008 and 2009 ... Won 11 OAC individual or relay championships during his career ... Captured conference titles in the long jump, 55-meter dash, 100-meter dash, 4x100-meter relay and 4x200-meter relay ... Set Heidelberg records in the indoor 55-meter dash and outdoor 4x100-meter relay.
Andy Lowe '11, Baseball: Three-time ABCA All-American, earning Second Team honors in 2010 and Third Team recognition in 2009 and 2011 ... Named the 2010 ABCA Regional Pitcher of the Year ... Three-time ABCA All-Region selection ... Two-time OAC Pitcher of the Year ... Three-time All-OAC selection ... Two-time CoSIDA Academic All-District honoree and a 2010 Academic All-OAC selection ... Set Heidelberg career records for saves and appearances and finished among the program leaders in wins, strikeouts, ERA, innings pitched, strikeouts per nine innings and WHIP.
Nicholas Sanchez '11, Wrestling: Three-time NCAA National Qualifier, advancing to the national championships in 2006, 2007 and 2008 ... Compiled 107 career victories, ranking third in program history at the conclusion of his career ... Helped establish Heidelberg wrestling among the top programs in the Ohio Athletic Conference during one of the most successful eras in program history.
Bessie Artino Guy '12, Softball: NCAA Statistical Champion in 2012 with 1.49 RBI per game ... Two-time NFCA All-Region selection ... Two-time All-OAC and Academic All-OAC honoree ... Finished her career among Heidelberg's leaders in RBI, batting average, doubles and home runs ... Set the program's single-season RBI record with 52 ... Later returned to Heidelberg as a graduate assistant coach and was a member of the OAC Coaching Staff of the Year in 2015 while helping the Student Princes advance to the NCAA Super Regionals.
For information about the Heidelberg University Athletic Hall of Fame or to nominate a deserving candidate for future consideration, visit the Hall of Fame page at BergAthletics.com.