News Summary
The University of Kentucky has announced the induction of six former Wildcats into its Athletics Hall of Fame, recognizing their outstanding contributions to the university’s sports legacy. The ceremony will take place during the Hall of Fame Weekend on September 12-13. This year’s inductees include notable figures from various sports, including softball, women’s basketball, baseball, and men’s basketball. Each inductee has made significant achievements in their respective sports and has left a lasting impact on UK athletics.
Lexington, Kentucky – The University of Kentucky has announced that six former Wildcats will be inducted into its Athletics Hall of Fame, honoring their significant contributions to the university’s sports legacy. The induction ceremony is set to take place on September 12-13 during the annual Hall of Fame Weekend.
This year’s inductees include:
- Abbey Cheek-Ramsey (Softball)
- Makayla Epps (Women’s Basketball)
- Doug Flynn (Baseball/Men’s Basketball/Broadcaster)
- Sonia Hahn (Women’s Tennis)
- Josh Hines-Allen (Football)
- Karl-Anthony Towns (Men’s Basketball)
Profiles of the Inductees
Abbey Cheek-Ramsey played for the UK softball team from 2016 to 2019 and made history as the first player to win the SEC Player of the Year award in 2019. In her remarkable collegiate career, Cheek-Ramsey achieved recognition as the 2019 National Fastpitch Coaches’ Association National Player of the Year and was a First Team Unanimous All-American. She holds impressive records at UK, ranking second in runs batted in (RBI) with 202, runs scored with 189, and home runs with 61. She also ranks third for total bases with 454.
Makayla Epps, who played from 2014 to 2017 for the UK women’s basketball team, earned first-team All-America honors during her tenure. She ranks sixth in UK history with a total of 1,790 points. On a notable occasion, Epps scored a career-high of 42 points in a single game, marking it as the tenth highest scoring performance in NCAA history at that time.
Doug Flynn showcased his athletic prowess in both baseball and basketball at UK during the 1970s. He went on to play Major League Baseball, contributing to the Cincinnati Reds’ World Series victories in 1975 and 1976. Flynn earned a Gold Glove award in 1980 and is well-known for his career as an Emmy Award-winning broadcaster in Kentucky baseball.
Sonia Hahn was a standout in women’s tennis, recognized as an All-American in both singles and doubles. She clinched the ITA National Indoor Singles championship and the SEC No. 1 singles title in 1987. After her playing career, Hahn served as a coach for 19 seasons at the University of Tennessee and currently holds the position of deputy director of athletics at California State University, Northridge.
Josh Hines-Allen made a mark in football at UK by being named the national defensive player of the year in 2018. He set the UK record for career sacks with 31.5 and earned a spot as a first-team All-American. Hines-Allen was picked seventh overall in the 2019 NFL Draft and has since appeared in the Pro Bowl twice while playing for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Karl-Anthony Towns was instrumental in helping the men’s basketball team achieve a remarkable 38-1 season in 2015, which led them to a Final Four appearance. Towns was the first overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft and has established himself as a notable player in the NBA over ten years, becoming a five-time All-Star with an impressive career average of 23.1 points per game.
Background of the Athletics Hall of Fame
The UK Athletics Hall of Fame was established in 2005 to honor those who have made significant contributions to the athletics program at the university. The inductees are selected by a committee that includes Hall of Famers, media members, and current coaches and administrators. This year’s inductees represent a diverse range of sports and achievements, reflecting the university’s strong athletic tradition.
The Hall of Fame Weekend not only celebrates the inductees but also serves as a time for former athletes, coaches, and fans to gather and honor the legacy of UK sports.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
University of Kentucky Settles Lawsuits with Professor
Additional Resources
- UK Athletics Announces Hall of Fame Class of 2025
- Wikipedia: University of Kentucky
- Kentucky Sports Article on Ex-Cats
- Google Search: University of Kentucky athletics
- Lexington African American Sports Hall of Fame 2025
- Google Scholar: Kentucky athletics
- High School Sports Article
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Athletics
- Kentucky Lantern on Journalism Hall of Fame
- Google News: Kentucky Hall of Fame
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON KY STAFF
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexingtonKY.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
