VALDOSTA, Ga. – Tickets continue to be on sale for the 29^th Annual Valdosta State Athletic Hall of Fame Ceremony, scheduled for January 30, 2026, at 5:30 p.m., in the VSU Student Ballroom.  
 
The celebration continues the next day with the Blazer Athletic Alumni Reunion (B.A.A.R.) tailgate on the mezzanine from 12 p.m., to 2 p.m., where athletic alumni and their families can reconnect before the basketball doubleheader. After the tailgate, tailgate guests are invited to the basketball doubleheader, where the Hall of Fame inductees will be recognized at halftime of the women's game.  The VSU basketball teams host rival West Florida in a pair of key Gulf South Conference matchups, beginning with the women's game at 2 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 31, followed by the men's game at approximately 4 p.m.
 
Click here to register for the 2026 VSU Athletic Hall of Fame and Alumni Reunion Weekend.  
 
This year's class of Hall of Fame inductees features six outstanding former student-athletes, one coach and one contributor to the program.  In alphabetical order the class includes; Destiny Berry (Volleyball, 2011-2015); Kelly Blizman (Softball, 1991-1996); Kelli Fields (Red Hots Coach, 2006-Present); the late Bryant Hayman (Baseball, 2011-2015); David Heruska (Contributor, 2008-Present); Olivia Mills (Women's Soccer, 2011-2015); Bea Morales (Women's Tennis, 2014-2017) and Ryan Schraeder (Football, 2011-2012). 
 
Bryant Hayman (Baseball, 2011-2015)
One of the most productive hitters in program history, Bryant Hayman was a four-time All-GSC selection and the 2012 GSC Freshman of the Year.  Nicknamed "Happy" as he always had a smile on his face each day.  Hayman played in 185 games with 183 starts for his career as he scored 142 runs with 46 doubles, four triples and a blistering 39 home runs, while driving in 187.  He slugged .599 and reached base at a .434 clip with 78 walks.  Hayman recorded 20 stolen bases and had 890 putouts in 1,007 chances with 101 assists and just 16 errors over four years for an impressive .984 fielding percentage.  He earned NCBWA All-Region honors as a sophomore and GSC All-Tournament accolades as a junior.  As a senior, he earned all-region honors finishing with 13 home runs and 52 RBI.  He was named Fellowship of Christian Athletes Male Student-Athlete of the Year in 2015.  Additionally, he earned the prestigious honor of being named to the GSC All-Decade Team.  Following his time with the Blazers, he signed a free agent contract with the Minnesota Twins.  
 
Destiny Berry (Volleyball, 2011-2015)
A dominant force at the net from 2011-2015, Destiny Berry helped lead the Blazers to their first Gulf South Conference title and NCAA postseason appearance in 2014.  She was a two-time All-Region performer and earned AVCA Honorable Mention All-America honors.  She became an elite blocker in the Gulf South Conference during her career for the red and black.  She topped the GSC in both blocks per set (1.25) and total blocks (139), while earning All-GSC honors as a senior in 2014.  She was named GSC Player of the Week four times.  She finished her career with 439 total blocks and 112 solo blocks.  Her 439 total blocks lead the school record book, while her 112 solo blocks puts her third in program history.  She finished with 858 kills for her career for 13th all-time in program history.
 
Kelly Blizman (Softball, 1991-1996)
She helped put Valdosta State softball on the national map earning all-league honors from 1993 to 1996 and was one of the first Blazer softball players to etch her name in the record book early in the history of the program.  Kelly Blizman finished her outstanding career both hitting and pitching as she is third in wins (70), fifth in program history in games started (89), sixth in complete games (70), sixth in saves (19) and sixth in ERA at a 1.375 clip in 590.2 innings pitched.  Her 590.2 innings of work currently ranks fifth in program history.  Her success in the circle extended to the dish as she finished with 200 hits in 609 at bats (.328), collecting 49 doubles, six triples, eight home runs, 104 runs scored and 126 RBI.  
 
Kelli Fields (Red Hots, 2006-Present)
Since 2006, Red Hots Coach Kelli Fields has built the program into a national powerhouse, capturing nine national titles including five since 2017 and her latest in 2024.  Her leadership and passion have set the national standard for collegiate dance.  Fields guided the Red Hots to four national titles from 2008 through 2011 and then proceeded to win three-straight from 2017 to 2019, along with wins in 2022 and 2024.  The Red Hots perform at numerous sporting events throughout the seasons, including football and basketball and do their renowned Christmas Kick at a basketball doubleheader during the holiday season.  Fields also helps run Winnersville Elite Cheer and Dance and received a BFA in Theater with a Dance Emphasis from VSU.  
 
David Heruska (Contributor, 2008-Present)
A tireless supporter of all things Blazer Athletics, Mr. David Heruska has been a fixture at games both home and away since 2008.  He began supporting the red and black by donating for Strength and Conditioning Head Coach Michael Doscher's graduate assistants in 2002.  His contributions paved the way for the weight room for the Athletic Field House in 2008.  His generous donations over the years to the Red Hots, Cheerleaders and The Blazin' Brigade helped those programs attend the football national   championship games in Texas in 2018, 2021 and 2024.  A proud member of both the V-State Club and the Blazer Backers, his loyalty and enthusiasm embody what it means to be part of the Blazer family.  
 
Olivia Mills (Women's Soccer, 2011-2015)
Standout goalkeeper Olivia Mills becomes the first Blazer women's soccer player to be inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame.  She had an outstanding career for the red and black between the posts helping get the women's soccer program on the national map early in its history.  She patrolled the net for four years helping lead VSU to its first Gulf South Conference Championship and three appearances in the NCAA postseason.  She leads the school record book in victories (45), shutouts (29), saves (277) and goalkeeper minutes (7,112).  Mills finished her career with a 1.02 goals against average for a school-record, while she had a career-high 87 saves as a senior helping lead VSU to its first NCAA postseason victory and conference title. She earned GSC All-Tournament honors in 2011 and 2014, while earning first team all-league honors in 2014 and second team all-conference accolades in 2012.  She earned all-region honors in 2014 and earned a spot on the prestigious GSC All-Decade Team.  Her 45 victories are good for fourth all-time in GSC history, while her 29 shutouts are good for a tie for third in league history and her 77 matches played ranks fourth in conference history.  Mills earned GSC Academic All-Conference honors in 2013 and 2014.  
 
Bea Morales (Women's Tennis, 2014-2017)
A three-time All-GSC selection and two-time Intercollegiate Tennis Association All-American, Bea Morales starred for the Blazers from 2014 to 2017. She earned Gulf South Conference Freshman of the Year honors in 2015.  She remains the most recent women's tennis player in school history to earn All-America recognition.  Morales was named to the GSC All-Decade Team and helped lead VSU to three league runner-up finishes, one NCAA postseason qualification and the last NCAA postseason victory for the Blazers in 2017.
 
Ryan Schraeder (Football, 2011-2012)
An anchor of the offensive line on the 2012 National Championship team, Ryan Schraeder played a pivotal role in one of the most dominant units in program history. That championship team was later inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2019. Schraeder's excellence up front earned him multiple All-America honors and recognition as a finalist for the prestigious Gene Upshaw Award.  Despite playing just two seasons for the red and black, Schraeder made an immediate and lasting impact. He appeared in 24 games during his career and helped guide the Blazers to their third national title in eight years in 2012. After opening the season 2–2, the Blazers surged to ten consecutive victories, culminating in a decisive 35–7 national championship win over Winston-Salem State.  The 2012 offensive line was legendary, powering an offense that averaged 469.36 yards per game, ranking 17th nationally. The Blazers also ranked 21st nationally in rushing offense (218.93 yards per game), led the GSC in passing offense (250.43 yards per game), averaged 41.57 points per game (eighth nationally), and posted a national ranking of 17th in passing efficiency (154.34). That historic season produced eight All-America selections, including Schraeder.  His achievements extended beyond the field as he earned GSC All-Decade honors and was named to the GSC Top Ten for Academic Excellence. He went on to a standout NFL career with the Atlanta Falcons from 2013 to 2018, highlighted by All-Pro honors in 2015.