The University of Indianapolis Department of Athletics and the Greyhound Club are pleased to announce the 2026 UIndy Athletics Hall of Fame inductees.

The Hall of Fame ceremony will occur Saturday, Feb. 28. The inductees will be introduced at halftime of the men's basketball game against Quincy University, which begins at  3:30 p.m. Following the game, dinner and the induction ceremony will take place at Primo Banquet Hall and Convention Center (2615 National Avenue, Indianapolis, IN) at 6:00 p.m.

The event will feature the official Hall of Fame inductions, as well as brief remarks by the recipients. Dinner tickets are $50 per person. If you are interested in attending or sponsoring please visit GetInvolved.UIndy.edu/HallofFame. 

Questions regarding the Hall of Fame event can be directed to the Athletic Development office by emailing greyhoundclub@uindy.edu or call 317-788-3359.

UIndy Athletics is proud to introduce this year's inductees:

Gary Vaught served as head baseball coach at the University of Indianapolis. Vaught led the Greyhounds for more than two decades, becoming one of the winningest coaches in program history with over 800 wins in his 24 seasons. Coach Vaught led the Greyhounds to 10 NCAA regional appearances, three GLVC tournament titles, and a World Series berth in both 2000 and 2012. During his tenure, Vaught coached numerous All-Conference, All-Region, and All-American players while helping elevate the Greyhounds into a consistent NCAA Division II contender. His teams were known for their competitiveness, discipline, and commitment to excellence both on the field and in the classroom. Coach Vaught is currently ranked 23rd all-time in wins as a Division II head coach. His leadership and dedication left a lasting impact on UIndy Baseball and the many student-athletes he mentored throughout his career.

Gary Kinkead served as head coach of the men's and women's swimming and diving programs for more than two decades, leading UIndy to 27 top-20 NCAA Division II national finishes, including a program-best sixth-place showing by the women in 2007. He was a five-time GLIAC Coach of the Year and mentored 11 individual national champions, 13 Academic All-Americans, and hundreds of All-America performances at the national championships. Under his leadership, the Greyhound swimming programs excelled in competition and academics, consistently ranking among the nation's elite while preparing student-athletes for success beyond the pool. His commitment to developing the total student-athlete contributed to a lasting legacy that helped shape UIndy's championship culture. 

Dean Branstetter is a 1988 graduate of the University of Indianapolis and a four-year letterwinner in Wrestling. During his collegiate career, Dean earned three Kelso M. Reid Mental Attitude Awards (1984, 1986, 1987), was named an All-American in 1987 with a seventh-place national finish at 134 pounds, and compiled 75 career victories. He also captured titles at the Little State Championship in 1986 and the Elmhurst Invitational in 1987. Following his time at UIndy, Dean enjoyed a distinguished coaching career as a teacher and coach at the high school level, compiling a 613-203-2 career wrestling record and coaching 10 state champions. His contributions to the sport were recognized with induction into the Indiana High School Wrestling Coaches Association (IHSWCA) Hall of Fame in 2024 and Regional Coach of the Year honors in 2019. He was also a four-time UIndy Alumni Coach of the Year.

Alison Smith (Pickett) is a 2007 graduate of the University of Indianapolis and a four-year letterwinner in Women's Swimming. One of the most decorated swimmers in program history, Alison earned GLIAC Freshman of the Year honors in 2004 and was named UIndy Swimming MVP and GLIAC Athlete of the Year in three consecutive seasons (2005–07). Alison was a 24-time All-American, competing at the NCAA Division II National Championships in all four years, and finished her collegiate career undefeated in conference competition. She set multiple program records, including the 100 and 200 backstroke, and was a three-time GLIAC All-Academic selection. Her combined 27 individual and relay conference titles still stand as the program record.  She also received the Dr. Robert Brooker Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year award in 2006–07. Following her graduation, Alison earned a master's degree in education and currently works as a school counselor with the Franklin Township Community School Corporation, where she was named Teacher of the Year in 2023.

Ray Trisler is a 1967 graduate of Indiana Central College (now the University of Indianapolis) and a standout multi-sport student-athlete. Ray lettered three years in Baseball, earning the HCC Outstanding Pitcher Award and helping lead the Greyhounds to conference championships and three consecutive winning seasons. He also contributed to conference championship teams in both Cross Country and Basketball during his collegiate career. After almost 60 years He still ranks in the UIndy Baseball program top 10 in ERA and strikeouts.  Following graduation, Ray enjoyed a distinguished professional career, including 25 years with Eli Lilly & Company, while also pursuing successful business ventures and achievements in horse racing as an owner and trainer. His legacy reflects excellence in athletics, academics, and professional leadership.

The 2014–15 Women's Golf Team,  under Head Coach Brent Nicoson, the 2014–15 Women's Golf team delivered one of the most historic seasons in University of Indianapolis athletics history. The Greyhounds captured the NCAA Division II National Championship, the first team national title in UIndy athletics, with a commanding performance at The Meadows Golf Course in Allendale, Michigan, finishing with a four-round score that earned them the top spot and a five-stroke victory over Rollins College. Led by GLVC Player of the Year Brooke Beagle and GLVC Freshman of the Year Annika Haynes, the Greyhounds won a total of nine tournament titles in 2014-15, including GLVC and NCAA East Regional championships before claiming the national crown.