December 18, 2025
CHESTERFIELD, VA — Chesterfield County has announced the 2026 Chesterfield Sports Hall of Fame class, celebrating athletes, coaches, and community leaders whose achievements have shaped the region’s sports landscape.
New this year, two additional awards will be given out—the Rudi Johnson Community Impact Award and the Play Chesterfield Scholar Athlete of the Year Award.
The inaugural Rudi Johnson Community Impact Award, named in honor of the late Thomas Dale High School and Cincinnati Bengals standout, recognizes an individual whose decades of service have made a lasting impact on youth sports.
The inaugural Play Chesterfield Scholar Athlete of the Year Award, presented by 804 Travel, recognizes two Chesterfield County Public Schools student athletes, out of 22 finalists, who excel on the field, in the classroom, and in their communities.
Together, these recipients reflect Chesterfield’s past, present and future in sports.
The 2026 Sports Hall of Fame Banquet, presented by Virginia Credit Union, will be held Friday, April 17, at 5:30 p.m., at the Stonebridge Recreation Center. Tickets are available at www.chesterfieldsportshof.com.
2026 Sports Hall of Fame Inductees
LaRee Sugg (golf) – A Matoaca High School graduate, Sugg was a standout UCLA golfer and the third African American woman on the LPGA Tour. She currently serves as the Deputy Director of Athletics at the University of Richmond.
Morgan Moses (football) – A Meadowbrook High School standout, Moses was a University of Virginia offensive lineman who was chosen by Washington in the third round of the 2014 NFL Draft. A veteran of four different NFL franchises, he is also the founder of the Morgan Moses Foundation.
Stan Morgan (cross country) – A Midlothian High School coach whose distance running program earned 14 state championships and 37 regional titles, Morgan is a strong supporter of the running community and Pocahontas State Park trails.
Will Bates (men’s soccer) – A two-time state champion at Thomas Dale High School, Bates was a University of Virginia soccer standout, who played on the U.S. Under-18 National Team and was drafted by the Seattle Sounders of the MLS in 2013.
Rudi Johnson Community Impact Award
Sherman Litton – A leader in youth sports and community development for more than four decades, Litton served as president of the Beulah Athletic Association, helping to expand opportunities for young athletes. He spent over 30 years on the Chesterfield Basketball League board and has been deeply involved with Meadowbrook High School, supporting school activities and fostering community spirit. In addition to his local sports impact, Litton also served more than five years on the Chesterfield County Planning Commission. Through his dedication, Litton has made a lasting impact on youth sports, education, and civic life in Chesterfield County.
Play Chesterfield Scholar Athletes
The inaugural Play Chesterfield Scholar Athlete finalists, announced on Dec. 11 by Chesterfield County Public Schools in partnership with Chesterfield Sports, Visitation and Entertainment, are comprised of 22 high school student athletes who exemplify excellence in athletics, academics, and community service. Two of the finalists will be named 2026 Scholar Athletes of the Year, presented by 804 Travel, with their names added to the Chesterfield Sports Hall of Fame Wall—symbolizing the connection between Chesterfield’s storied past and its next generation of leaders.
“Honoring our Play Chesterfield Scholar Athletes alongside the Sports Hall of Fame and Rudi Johnson Community Impact Award winners showcases the next generation of excellence,” said John M. Murray, superintendent of Chesterfield County Public Schools. “This celebration recognizes students who are thriving both academically and athletically, while connecting them to the broader legacy of Chesterfield sports. Seeing these groups together inspires our young athletes to lead, serve, and carry that legacy forward.”
A Legacy That Endures
Each inductee will have their name permanently added to the Sports Hall of Fame Wall located at River City Sportsplex, joining future inductees and Scholar Athletes in a space that celebrates Chesterfield’s past, present, and future sports icons.
“The Hall of Fame Class of 2026 and the Rudi Johnson Community Impact Award represent the rich legacy and ongoing influence of Chesterfield sports,” said J.C. Poma, executive director of the county’s Sports, Visitation and Entertainment Department. “Our Hall of Famers have shaped generations through their dedication and leadership, and the Rudi Johnson Award underscores the lasting commitment to youth athletics and community engagement. Honoring these recipients alongside our next generation of leaders allows us to celebrate the full story of sports in Chesterfield—from the milestones of the past to the leaders of today.”
For more information on the Chesterfield Sports Hall of Fame banquet presented by Virginia Credit Union and to buy tickets, visit www.chesterfieldsportshof.com. To find out more about the Play Chesterfield Scholar Athlete Program presented by 804 Travel, please visit www.PlayChesterfield.com.
# # #