OVERLAND PARK, Kan. - The College Baseball Foundation (CBF) has announced the 2026 class of the College Baseball Hall of Fame, and former Arizona baseball player David Stegman is one of 21 individuals selected for induction into the College Baseball Hall of Fame.
The 2026 class is comprised of 16 former players, two former coaches, two former umpires, and one administrator/contributor, all who were deemed to have made an extraordinary impact on college baseball.
Stegman competed for the Wildcats from 1973-76 and stands as one of the most prolific players in the history of the program. A three-time All-American, at the conclusion of his career with Arizona, Stegman ranked first in program history in games played (222), runs (287), hits (321), total bases (487), walks (202), doubles (72), and consecutive games played (155). He currently ranks first in runs and doubles, second in hits, extra-base hits (110), and total bases, third in walks and stolen bases (86), fourth in RBI (198), sixth in games played, seventh in triples (20), stolen base percentage (.835), and batting average (.390), eighth in at-bats (823), ninth in consecutive games played, and 10th in on-base percentage (.481).
Stegman was drafted three times – once out of high school and twice after his junior season – but elected to return to Arizona each time before completing his collegiate career in 1976.
Stegman's senior season in 1976 was one of the most remarkable in program history, as he was named a First Team All-American and the team's Most Valuable Player after hitting .425 with 111 hits, 91 runs, 30 doubles, seven home runs, 64 RBI, and 26 stolen bases, while leading Arizona to an overall record of 56-17 and the program's first ever National Championship. He still holds the single season program record for games played (73), runs, and hits, while ranking tied for first in doubles, fifth in stolen base percentage (.897), and tied for seventh in extra-base hits (40) and batting average.
Stegman was named to the 1976 College World Series All-Tournament Team and, in the Championship Game against Eastern Michigan, he went 3-for-4 with three RBI to help lead the Wildcats to a 7-1 victory.
Following his senior campaign, Stegman was drafted by the Detroit Tigers with the second overall pick of the 1976 MLB Draft. Stegman made his MLB debut in September 1978, and went on to play six seasons in the majors for the Tigers, New York Yankees, and Chicago White Sox.
Stegman was inducted into the University of Arizona Athletics Hall of Fame in 1981 and remains one of the most decorated players in program history.
"On behalf of the College Baseball Foundation Board of Trustees, we are honored to welcome these 21 extraordinary individuals into the College Baseball Hall of Fame," Chairman of the Board of Trustees Craig Ramsey said. "The Class of 2026 represents excellence across every level of our game—from legendary players and championship coaches to dedicated umpires and lifelong contributors whose impact extends far beyond the field. Their achievements helped shape the history of college baseball, and their stories will inspire future generations of student-athletes, coaches and fans. We are proud to recognize their contributions and look forward to celebrating each of them at the Night of Champions as we continue building a permanent home that preserves and honors the rich heritage of college baseball."
The 19th induction class will be honored at the 2027 Night of Champions presented by Prairiefire on February 11, 2027, in Overland Park, Kansas, the home of the College Baseball Hall of Fame.
"We are so excited to announce the 2026 Hall of Fame Class as we continue the buildout for what will become their permanent 'home' in Overland Park, Kansas at the College Baseball Hall of Fame," CEO/Executive Director of the CBF and College Baseball Hall of Fame Tom Jacobs said. "This is another stellar class that represents the absolute best of college baseball. We look forward to celebrating and honoring their accomplishments on February 11, 2027, at the Night of Champions, when they will officially be inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame. We hope you will join us for their special evening!"
The full list of the 2026 College Baseball Hall of Fame Class can be found below:
Players
1. *Earl Bass, Pitcher, University of South Carolina, 1972-75
2. Barry Bonds, Outfielder, Arizona State University, 1983-85
3. Jeff Brantley, Pitcher, Mississippi State University, 1982-85
4. Dave Clark, Outfielder, Jackson State University, 1981-83
5. *Bruce Gardner, Pitcher, University of Southern California, 1958-60
6. Marquis Grissom, Outfielder/Pitcher, Florida A&M University, 1987-88
7. Bobby Jones, Pitcher, Fresno State, 1989-91
8. *Bobby Layne, Pitcher, University of Texas, 1944, 1946-48
9. Scott Livingstone, Third Baseman, Texas A&M University, 1985-88
10. *David McCarty, First Baseman, Stanford University, 1989-91
11. Lloyd Peever, Pitcher, Seminole State College, 1990-91 / LSU, 1992
12. Buster Posey, Shortstop/Catcher, Florida State University, 2006-08
13. Mike Smith, Infielder, Indiana University, 1989-92
14. Dave Stegman, Outfielder, University of Arizona, 1973-76
15. Huston Street, Pitcher, University of Texas, 2002-04
16. Brent Strom, Pitcher, University of Southern California, 1968-70
Coaches
17. Danny Hall, Head Coach, Kent State University, 1988-93 / Georgia Institute of Technology, 1994-2025
18. *Hal Smeltzly, Head Coach, Florida Southern University, 1958-76
Administrators / Contributors / Umpires
19. Jim Darby, Contributor, University of California, Berkeley, 1977-current
20. Gus Rodriguez, Umpire, Dominican University New York, 1982-2016
21. Tony Walsh, Umpire, Austin Peay State University, 1979-2022
To be eligible for the College Baseball Hall of Fame ballot, players must be out of college for 15 years and have completed one year of competition at a two-year institution in the CCCAA, NJCAA or a four-year NCAA (Division I, II or III) or NAIA institution. Ballot-eligible coaches must be retired for two years or be active and no less than 75 years old.
Each year, more than 200 representatives nationwide vote on the College Baseball Hall of Fame induction class. The voting body is comprised of national and regional college baseball media, active and retired coaches, former players, former inductees, college baseball historians and members of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) collegiate baseball committee. The College Baseball Hall of Fame inducted its first class in 2006. Since that time, 196 players, coaches, umpires, administrators and contributors have been selected for induction. Click here for a full list of College Baseball Hall of Fame classes.
