HAMMOND, La. – Southeastern Louisiana University Athletics announced its 2026 Hall of Fame class Friday.
 
The class is comprised of Lacey Bockhaus (soccer), Don Griffin (football), Kevin Hughes (football), Gus Malespin (baseball), Simona Nedorostova Bruetting (tennis), Cedric Patton (football) and Chris Province (baseball).
 
In addition to the Hall of Fame class, the 1976 football team that finished 9-1-1 overall will also be recognized, along with the 2024-25 SLU Male and Female Athletes of the Year at this year's North Oaks Health Southeastern Athletics Hall of Fame Banquet, which is set for Sept. 11 in the War Memorial Student Union Ballroom. The class will also be recognized at halftime of the Southeastern football team's Sept. 12 home game versus North Alabama.
 
Bockhaus is the 11^th women's soccer student-athlete to earn a spot in the SLU Athletics Hall of Fame and the third Lion goalkeeper inducted, joining Allison Holladay (2004) and Hope Sabadash (2025). Bockhaus starred for SLU in net from 2008-12, setting a Southland Conference record with 40 shutouts, including a school-record 12 in a 2009 season that saw Bockhaus lead Southeastern to its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance – earning SLC Tournament MVP honors in the process.
 
Third in school history with 319 career saves, Bockaus was the 2010 Southland Conference Player of the Year. Her time in the green and gold saw her twice earn NSCAA All-Central Region honors twice, while also earning All-Southland and All-Louisiana accolades four times.
 
Griffin, Hughes and Patton run the number of football inductees to 73. Griffin threw for 2,193 yards and 17 touchdowns in the 1975 and 1976 seasons for the Lions. The 1976 Gulf South Conference Offensive Player of the Year, Griffin helped SLU to a 9-1-1 record as a senior.
 
Hughes was a three-time All-Southland Conference and 2010 All-Louisiana honoree as an offensive tackle for Southeastern, representing the Lions from 2007-10. Following his collegiate career, Hughes signed with the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent and played in three games in 2011. Hughes went on to practice squad stints with the San Diego Chargers (2012), Green Bay Packers (2013), Carolina Panthers (2014) and New England Patriots (2015).
 
Patton was a four-year starter at defensive back from 1978-81 for Southeastern. Patton accumulated 123 tackles and five interceptions during his time as a Lion.
 
Malespin and Province will be the 29^th and 30^th baseball representatives in the SLU Athletics Hall of Fame. A member of Southeastern's 1970's All-Decade Team, Malespin hit .375 in 1979 on the way to earning All-America honors, signing with the Boston Red Sox following the season.
 
Finishing his career with a .364 batting average, Malespin was a two-time ABCA All-Region choice and a first team All-Gulf South Conference selection. Prior to coming to Hammond, he was the 1976 American Legion National Player of the Year.
 
Province was a standout closer for the Lions from 2004-07. The 2006-07 Southeastern Male Athlete of the Year, he was a fourth-round draft pick by the Boston Red Sox. A member of the SLU 2000's All-Decade Team, Province had 14 career saves – including eight as a senior.
 
Nedorostova is the seventh SLU tennis player to be inducted in the Southeastern Athletics Hall of Fame. Starring for the Lions from 1995-98, Nedorostova posted a 65-12 singles record as a Lion. The 1997-98 Southeastern Female Athlete of Year, she was a three-time All-Louisiana choice, while also earning All-TAAC honors twice and All-Southland honors in 1998. She was ranked as high as No. 62 nationally during her time in Hammond.
 
The 2026 induction class will bring the total number of Southeastern Athletics Hall of Fame members to 179. Student-athletes must be at least seven years removed from their final season to be eligible for inclusion in the Southeastern Athletics Hall of Fame. Nominations can be sent to Associate Athletic Director for Communications Kemmler Chapple by e-mail (Kemmler.chapple@southeastern.edu) or by mail (SLU 10309, Hammond, LA 70402).
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Southeastern Athletics, follow @LionUpAthletics on X and Instagram or like /SLUathletics on Facebook.
 
CLEAR BAG POLICY
Southeastern Athletics has instituted a clear bag policy for all ticketed events. For more information on the clear bag policy, visit www.LionSports.net/clear.