Key Takeaways
- • Ron Hines, former Southeast Missouri State University sports information director, elected posthumously to the Ohio Valley Conference Hall of Fame following his death on March 16, 2026; Hines served the institution for 29 years (1980–2009) and established an all-time Division I record by working 851 consecutive men's basketball games.
- • Lana Richmond, former Southeast Missouri softball coach, and Dennis Taylor, former UT Martin tennis coach, join Hines in the 2026 OVC Hall of Fame class, bringing total Hall of Fame membership to 103 since the organization's founding in 1977.
- • Hines produced 21 award-winning publications during his tenure, with four recognized as "Best in the Nation" by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), demonstrating measurable impact on institutional communications and brand visibility.
- • The OVC Hall of Fame honors individuals with minimum five-year tenure who provided "extensive and outstanding service" to the Conference; induction ceremony scheduled for May 28, 2026, in Franklin, Tennessee.
Summary
The Ohio Valley Conference announced on April 16, 2026, the election of three individuals to its Hall of Fame: Ron Hines (posthumously), Lana Richmond, and Dennis Taylor. Hines, who passed away on March 16, 2026, served Southeast Missouri State University as sports information director for 29 years before retiring in 2009. His election marks recognition of a career distinguished by both longevity and measurable institutional impact.
Hines compiled an exceptional professional record during his tenure. He worked 851 consecutive men's basketball games—an all-time Division I record for a sports information director. His communications output included 21 award-winning publications, four of which received "Best in the Nation" recognition from the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). Beyond publication oversight, Hines served dual roles as public address announcer for university events and color commentator for Redhawks football and men's basketball radio broadcasts.
Under Hines's stewardship, Southeast Missouri hosted multiple conference and national championships, including NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field National Championships in 1983, 1984, and 1988. His work contributed directly to elevating the institution's visibility and promotional capabilities within the conference and broader collegiate athletics landscape.
The induction of Richmond, Hines, and Taylor expands OVC Hall of Fame membership to 103 members since the Hall's establishment in 1977. The Hall recognizes coaches, administrators, faculty, and staff with minimum five-year OVC association and demonstrated exceptional service. The formal induction ceremony will take place May 28, 2026, at the annual OVC Honors Dinner in Franklin, Tennessee.
Hines compiled an exceptional professional record during his tenure. He worked 851 consecutive men's basketball games—an all-time Division I record for a sports information director. His communications output included 21 award-winning publications, four of which received "Best in the Nation" recognition from the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). Beyond publication oversight, Hines served dual roles as public address announcer for university events and color commentator for Redhawks football and men's basketball radio broadcasts.
Under Hines's stewardship, Southeast Missouri hosted multiple conference and national championships, including NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field National Championships in 1983, 1984, and 1988. His work contributed directly to elevating the institution's visibility and promotional capabilities within the conference and broader collegiate athletics landscape.
The induction of Richmond, Hines, and Taylor expands OVC Hall of Fame membership to 103 members since the Hall's establishment in 1977. The Hall recognizes coaches, administrators, faculty, and staff with minimum five-year OVC association and demonstrated exceptional service. The formal induction ceremony will take place May 28, 2026, at the annual OVC Honors Dinner in Franklin, Tennessee.
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