Former Arkansas wide receiver and kick returner Joe Adams and former women’s basketball coach Gary Blair were among seven University of Arkansas athletics icons who were selected for the Arkansas Sports Hall of Honor Class of 2022 it was announced Thursday.
Adams, who was named an All-American in 2011, played wide receiver and punt returner for the Razorbacks from 2008-11. He ran back four punts for touchdowns in 2011 and his 16.9 yards-per-return average was second in the country.
Blair coached Arkansas to five NCAA Tournaments appearances in his 10 seasons from 1993-2003. The Razorbacks made the Final Four in 1998 under Blair’s guidance when they were a No. 9 seed, which remains the lowest-seeded team to make it that far.
“We look forward to celebrating the tremendous accomplishments of these outstanding Razorbacks as part of the UA Sports Hall of Honor,” athletic director Hunter Yurachek said. “This year’s class includes NCAA and conference champions, a hall of fame coach and an administrator who helped form the foundation for varsity women’s sports at the University of Arkansas. These men and women reflect the very best our program has to offer.”
Other inductees include former pitcher Bill Bakewell (baseball), Ruth Cohoon (first women’s athletics director), high-jumper Ray Doakes (track and field), gymnast Katherine Grable, swingman Ron Huery (basketball), catcher Andy Skeels (baseball) and defensive lineman Dale White (football).
The induction ceremony will be held Friday, September 16, the night before Arkansas football hosts Missouri State at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.