2025 ATFHF Induction Banquet

30th ATFHF Induction Banquet Set for May 30

The Arkansas Track & Field Hall of Fame will induct its 30th class during a 6:30 p.m. banquet May 30 in the Silver City Ballroom of the Wyndham Riverfront Hotel in North Little Rock.

"We have an outstanding group representing the class of 2025,” said John Steward, president of the ATFHF. “Seven of the inductees are connected to Arkansas as track and field athletes,  coaches and officials. The experience of the inductees ranges from junior high to the professional ranks. Two have origins in the Little Rock area, one is still pursuing competition at the professional level, three are active coaches and two currently work with youth.”  

The class includes Buzz Andrews, a Hope High School and Ouachita Baptist University record-holder whose track and field coaching career has spanned 53 years; Charles (Chuck) Hemingway, who dominated cross country and the mile run during his junior and senior years at Little Rock Central and went on to the University of Arkansas as a distance runner; Sydney Conley, an All-America sprinter and jumper at Fayetteville High School and the University of Kansas; Robert Ricks, a standout at Little Rock Mills and the University of Central Arkansas, where he earned NAIA All-America honors from 1989-92; Chris Phillips, a state and Meet of Champs champion hurdler at Crossett, Golden West Invitational 400 hurdles champion and seven-time NCAA champion at the University of Arkansas; Stephanie Foreman Adams, the 2008 Gatorade Track and Field Athlete of the Year for Arkansas from Lake Hamilton and first Arkansas girl to break the 13-foot barrier in the pole vault who went on to win eight Sunbelt Conference pole vault titles for Arkansas State; and John Steward, the Vilonia girls coach since 2006 who has coached more than 35 individual state champions in track and cross country, with 17 athletes continuing their careers at the college level.

Andrews was a two-time Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference 400 hurdle champion for OBU. His 50+ years in coaching started as a graduate assistant at OBU and Henderson State University. After leaving his mark on Cabot with a state championship in cross country, he continued his success by coaching in Texas’ largest division with 12 state champions and two future Olympians. He currently coaches vaulters with Texas Express Track Club with continued success, including many USA Track and Field All Americans.

Hemingway set records in the Meet of Champs mile run as a junior (4:26.9) and senior (4:24) running for Clyde Hart and Clyde Horton and also won the state cross country title both years. As an Arkansas freshman, he ran on the four-mile relay team that won the Texas Relays. After a career in the military and law, he has worked as a counselor with veterans and others in need.

Conley, the daughter of 1992 Barcelona gold medalist triple jumper Mike Conley, was a two-sport athlete at FHS and once held the top long jump mark as the national indoor champion in 2012. Her 16 individual state championships coupled with five team titles bolstered her family’s track legacy. She long jumped 22-4 at Kansas and ran 11.24 in the 100 meters while earning All-America honors in 2014 and ‘15. She continues to compete professionally.

Ricks was a three-sport letterman at Little Rock Mills and set many sprint and jump records, including a 6-9 high jump mark that still stands. At UCA, he specialized in the 100, 200 and 4x100 relay. His personal bests are 10.59 and 21.45 in the 100 and 200, respectively. Using network connections through Phi Beta Sigma, he continues to work with underprivileged youth to promote diversity and change. 

Phillips, who teaches at Sylvan Hills, won the 110 and 300 hurdles in both the state meet and Meet of Champs at Crossett before taking the 400 hurdle title at the Golden West. He was a seven-time indoor and outdoor champion at Arkansas and an eight-time All-
American. Professionally, he finished fifth in the 110 hurdles at the IAAF World Athletic Championships in 2003 in Monaco, where he ran a career-best 13.27.

Adams held the Meet of Champs girls pole vault record of 13-6.25 for seven years and was the Sunbelt Conference record-holder indoors and outdoors. She was a two-time All-American at ASU and received the A-State Athletics Terry Gwin Award for leadership, citizenship, scholarship, and athletic performance. She was Arkansas State’s Female Athlete of the year in 2013 and was inducted into the Arkansas State University Sports Hall of Honor last year. She coaches track at Fayetteville High School.

Steward was a three-sport letterman at Lavaca High School and played football at Arkansas Tech. In his 32-year track coaching career, he has led teams to 19 conference titles, seven state runner-up finishes and one state championship. He was voted the 2021 Track Coach of the Year by the Arkansas High School Coaches Association, National Federation of State High School Associations and USA Track and Field and Cross Country for Arkansas. He is a track and field official at the high school and college levels.

Tickets for the banquet are $50 per person ($52 if purchased by credit card) or $400 for a table of eight. Tickets may be purchased at www.atfhof.org or by mail to Leon White, 34 Margeaux Dr., Little Rock, 72223, and must be received by May 26 to be guaranteed. Checks should be made payable to ATFHF. For ticket questions, email [email protected]. Tickets may be picked up at the ATFHF registration desk after 5 p.m. May 30. 

For more information about the banquet, contact Steward at (501) 351-4114.