A historic class
The Conference USA Hall of Fame announced its 2026 inductees, spotlighting two Marshall alumni whose careers left indelible marks on their respective sports.
Jon Elmore, a cornerstone of Marshall’s men’s basketball during the late 2010s, earned Conference USA Tournament MVP honors after guiding the team to a league championship in 2018. His name now appears near the top of multiple program record books.
Elmore finished his career with 2,638 points, ranking second in Marshall history, while dishing out 783 assists – the most ever for a Marshall guard. He also topped the program with 356 three‑pointers, a tally that places him second in Conference USA annals.
His excellence was acknowledged repeatedly, earning three First‑Team All‑Conference USA selections and cementing his status as a perennial all‑star in the league.
Softball supremacy
Rachel Folden emerged as a dominant force for Marshall softball, becoming the program’s only two‑time league Player of the Year in 2006 and 2008. Her .405 career average over those seasons still ties for fourth in Conference USA history.
Beyond her offensive prowess, Folden’s .811 slugging percentage ranks third in league history, while her 49 home runs and 127 walks place her among the top ten in several key categories. She also collected All‑Conference USA academic honors each season, underscoring a blend of athletic and scholarly excellence.
The induction of Elmore and Folden reflects a broader narrative of Marshall’s rise within Conference USA, a trajectory that began when the university entered the league and has continued through sustained competitive success across multiple sports.
Legacy and impact
Their enshrinement not only celebrates individual brilliance but also highlights the role of Marshall’s athletic programs in shaping the conference’s competitive landscape. Fans and alumni alike anticipate how these legends will inspire future generations of Herd athletes.