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Welcome to the Walk of Legends Immersive Gallery

Behind each year is a legend and behind each legend is a story. 

We’ve begun collecting the histories and stories each year behind our inductees. For our 5th Sports Hall of Fame Induction we invite you walk along this immersive gallery in collaboration with Horse Kicks by Marcus Floyd and Visit Lex.

Narrated by Danielle Meadows-Stinnett of Octane Design Studios.

Welcome from LAASHOF

“Welcome to the Lexington African-American Sports Hall of Fame Walk of Legends immersive gallery! You are standing at the intersection of local sports history, community legacy, and cutting-edge sneaker art.

As a special feature for this gallery exhibition, LAASHOF has partnered with Horse Kicks to showcase bespoke sneaker art that honors the spirit of our local legends.

As you walk through this exhibition, you will explore four incredible years of inductees who paved the way across high school, collegiate, and professional athletics:

  • The 2022 Class: Celebrated trailblazers including legendary multi-sport athletes, historic coaches like Sanford Roach, community stalwarts like Herb Washington and Jackie French, and professional icons like Dermontti Dawson and Tyson Gay.

  • The 2023 Class: Honored iconic figures such as Thoroughbred racing pioneer Isaac Murphy, major league trailblazer Lou Johnson, basketball greats Melvin Turpin and BeBe Croley, and community pillars like Juanita Drake.

  • The 2024 Class: Spotlighted legendary team excellence—such as the 1961 Dunbar Bearcats and 1983 Henry Clay State Champions—alongside fierce competitors like Winston Guy, Eric Shelton, and Vince Taylor.

  • The 2025 Class: Spotlights an extraordinary group of community pillars, trailblazing educators, championship athletes, and historic record-setters across generations.

Take your time exploring each station, scanning the QR codes, and experiencing how sports culture comes alive through this exclusive gallery collaboration.”

Year 1: Court Purple

You’ve arrived at the Court Purple station, dedicated exclusively to the foundational 2022 Inductee Class of the Walk of Legends.

This inaugural class laid the groundwork for the Hall of Fame, honoring extraordinary figures such as:

  • Legendary basketball standouts Bobby ‘Poocat’ Washington, Dirk Minniefield, and Jack ‘Goose’ Givens.

  • Elite builders and coaches of the game, including George Wilson, Sanford Roach, and cheer coaching legend Donna Robinson Wilson.

  • Groundbreaking supporters and community pioneers like Dirt Bowl co-founder Herb Washington and Jackie French.

  • Professional powerhouses like NFL Hall of Famer Dermontti Dawson, multi-sport star Marc Logan, and Olympic track record-holder Tyson Gay.

Now, let’s pull back the curtain on the design. For a special gallery collaboration feature, Horse Kicks brought this sneaker to life. Here with a quick intro to share more behind-the-scenes thoughts on the Court Purple piece is artist and designer Marcus Floyd.

Year 2: New Balance

“Welcome to the New Balance station of the Walk of Legends, spotlighting the remarkable 2023 Inductee Class.

This class captured the historic depth and diverse athletic achievements of Lexington’s sports history, featuring:

  • Thoroughbred racing legends, including inaugural 1875 Kentucky Derby winner Oliver Lewis and 3-time Derby champion Isaac Murphy.

  • Diamond trailblazers like baseball’s first major leaguer from Lexington, Lou Johnson, and collegiate/professional standout Derek Bryant.

  • Basketball greats like Melvin Turpin, BeBe Croley, Leslie Nichols Carter, and Julius ‘Goose’ Berry.

  • Tireless community contributors and pillars like Juanita Drake, Louis Stout, and Melvin Cunningham.

Ready to hear how this unique piece came together through the exclusive gallery collaboration with Horse Kicks? Up next, Marcus Floyd shares his personal insights and behind-the-scenes thoughts on the New Balance design.”

Year 3: The Original 

“You are tuned into The Yeezy station of the gallery walk, dedicated to the powerhouse 2024 Inductee Class.

This class celebrated legendary team excellence and individual grit, highlighting:

  • Historic championship teams, including the 1961 Dunbar Bearcats and the 1983 Henry Clay State Champions.

  • Elite football and track competitors like Winston Guy, Eric Shelton, and track champion Sherry Ballew Agee.

  • Basketball and wrestling standouts like Vince Taylor, Tracye Davis, and undefeated state champion Dominic Black.

  • Dedicated officials, coaches, and youth sports leaders like C.B. Akins, Mike Graves, and Ella W. Smith.

For a closer look at the creative vision and the process behind this special Horse Kicks gallery collaboration piece, let sneaker artist Marcus Floyd take you behind the scenes.”

Year 5: VL Runners

“Welcome to the VL Runners station, showcasing the remarkable and deeply inspiring 2025 Inductee Class of the Walk of Legends.

This class honors the extraordinary lives, grit, and enduring legacies of Lexington’s finest athletes, coaches, and community champions:

  • Basketball Icons & Collegiate Greats: Celebrating legendary roundballers like Everett Bass, who set all-time rebounding records at Transylvania University that have stood for over 50 years; Demetria ‘Meechie’ Bright, the Sweet 16 MVP who led Henry Clay to its first-ever girls’ state basketball title; Darnell Burton, a 2,000-point scorer and standout at the University of Cincinnati; high-scoring standouts Tyrone Dunn, Erica Jackson, and Vince Sanford; and elite collegiate star Ebony Rowe Hale, the first player in Middle Tennessee State history to eclipse 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds.

  • Gridiron & Diamond Standouts: Honoring multi-sport stars like Shane Boyd, who excelled in football, basketball, and baseball before playing professionally; J.T. Haskins, a Bryan Station football legend and current head coach; power-hitting professional baseball star Darron Ingram; dynamic quarterback and return specialist Kio Sanford; and Eastern Kentucky University All-American and OVC legendary running back Everett ‘Poo-Lu’ Talbert.

  • Track & Field Speedsters: Recognizing blistering state champions and record-setters including Allen Franklin, Shonda James, Derek Robinson, Sr., and All-American jumper Sterling Ward.

  • Pioneering Coaches & Dedicated Supporters: Spotlighting wrestling coaching pioneer William Green; community and sports pillars Lonny Demaree, Gwen Rucker Duncan, Glenn Brown, Angela Green Hampton, Julian A. Jackson, Jr., and Jill Chenault Wilson.

To talk about the creative energy, craftsmanship, and vision behind the VL Runners sneaker design, let’s turn it over to artist and designer Marcus Floyd for a look behind the scenes.”