Loyola Marymount University continues the celebration of its incredible athletics legacy by introducing our Athletics Hall of Fame Class for 2026 presented by University Credit Union. The LMU Athletics Hall of Fame Class will be inducted into the Hall of Fame the weekend of Feb. 7, 2026.
The inductees will be honored at a ceremony during the day before being recognized again at the men's basketball game that evening. Ticket information for the induction ceremony will be available soon.
2026 Hall of Fame Members
Rafa Baca (Men's Soccer), 2007-10
Jocelyn (Blankenship) Brown (Women's Soccer), 2012-15
Chris Donnels (Baseball), 1985-87
1987-88 Men's Basketball Team
Anonymous Donor
2026 Hall of Fame Members
Rafa Baca (Men's Soccer)
Rafa Baca became the first player in LMU history to be named to the Hermann Trophy Watch List and immediately established himself as a team leader from the moment he arrived on campus. Known for his exceptional body control, spatial awareness, and command of the field, he was selected team captain as both a sophomore and a junior. Baca was named the 2009 LMU Male Co-Athlete of the Year and earned First Team All-WCC honors in 2008 and 2009. He was also recognized as a 2009 Goal.com First Team All-American, a 2009 NSCAA Second Team All-Far West Region honoree, and a member of the 2007 All-WCC Second Team and All-Freshman Team. His 2008 season included Third Team NSCAA/adidas All-Region honors, and he spent the summer of 2009 competing with the LA Galaxy Under-20 team.
Jocelyn (Blankenship) Brown (Women's Soccer)
Jocelyn (Blankenship) Brown, helped lead the Lions to their first-ever NCAA Tournament victory—a 1-0 upset of Cal in 2014. Over her distinguished four-year career (2012–15), she recorded 14 goals and 22 assists, with her 50 career points ranking second all-time in program history. Her career assist total remains the LMU record. Blankenship concluded her time at LMU as a four-time All-West Coast Conference honoree, a three-time WCC All-Academic selection, and a two-time NSCAA All-West Region honoree.
Chris Donnels (Baseball)
Chris Donnels became the first player in program history to earn First Team All-Conference honors in all three of his seasons at LMU and is widely regarded as one of the greatest hitters to wear a Lions uniform. His name remains prominent throughout the LMU record book: he ranks fourth all-time in runs scored (183), ninth in hits (234), first in RBIs (225), first in doubles (72), first in home runs (45), first in total bases (490), and sixth in batting average (.367). Donnels earned Freshman All-American honors in 1985 after hitting .389 with eight home runs and 59 RBI. As a sophomore in 1986, he helped lead LMU to the College World Series while hitting 21 home runs and driving in 91 runs—both still single-season program records—earning Second Team All-American distinction. He added 16 home runs and 75 RBIs in 1987 on his way to Third Team All-American honors, and following that season, he was drafted in the first round by the New York Mets.
1987-88 Men's Basketball Team
The 1987–88 LMU men's basketball team finished with the best record in program history, going 28–4 overall and becoming the only team in school history to go undefeated in conference play with a 14–0 WCAC record. The Lions captured their first WCAC regular-season championship since the 1960s and secured the WCAC Tournament title with a 104–96 victory over Santa Clara. LMU advanced to the NCAA Tournament, where the program earned its first-ever win in the event with a 119–115 triumph over Wyoming—the same team that eliminated the Lions from the NIT two years prior. Competing in the West Sub-Regional in Salt Lake City, LMU advanced to face national power North Carolina in the second round. The team featured four First Team All-WCC honorees: Mike Yoest, Corey Gaines, Hank Gathers, and Bo Kimble.
Anonymous Donor
This anonymous donor is the largest single benefactor in LMU Athletics history, playing a transformative role in enhancing resources for both competitive teams and student-athletes across various programs. Their impact includes funding vital capital and operational projects such as the Gersten West Renovation, the men's basketball locker room, the athletic training room, the sports performance center, softball batting cages, and increased travel support for both the men's and women's basketball teams.
Hall of Fame Weekend – February 7, 2026
LMU Athletics looks forward to honoring the 2026 Hall of Fame Class during a special induction ceremony on Feb. 7 before recognizing the inductees at the men's basketball game that evening against San Diego.
Ticket details will be announced soon.
