VALDOSTA, Ga. – Valdosta State former women's basketball standout Shannon Williams (1986-90) will be inducted into the Gulf South Conference Hall of Fame for the Class of 2026.  The Hall of Fame is comprised of the greatest student-athletes, coaches, or administrators in the league's history.  
 
"The Class of 2026 exemplifies everything the Gulf South Conference stands for—competitive excellence, dedicated leadership, and a lifelong commitment to the values of collegiate athletics," said GSC Commissioner Matt Wilson. "Each of these honorees has made a profound impact on their institutions and our conference, and we are proud to celebrate their extraordinary achievements and lasting legacy."

Along with Williams, the class includes; Franziska Bremm (Women's Golf, West Georgia); Larry Carpenter (Administrator, Lee); Terry Fleming (Football, Mississippi College) and Janet Montgomery (Coach/Administrator, West Alabama). 

The honorees were determined by the Conference's Hall of Fame Selection Committee and after receiving nominations from current and former member institutions. This is the Gulf South's 12th Hall of Fame class, as membership, including the new elected class, now stands at 61, since its inception in 2014. 

VSU has been a mainstay in the GSC Hall of Fame as former VSU baseball coach Tommy Thomas was inducted in 2015 and former Blazer quarterback and head coach Chris Hatcher was enshrined in the inaugural class in 2014 for eleven total Blazers now in the GSC Hall of Fame.  

Williams' induction marks the eighth-straight class of at least one Blazer being enshrined into the Hall of Fame, with Marti Littlefield (softball) in 2018, Dusty Bonner (football) in 2019, Morgan Faulk (softball) in 2020, Briny Baird (men's golf) in 2022, Kenny Moore II (football) and Courtney Albritton Carter (softball) in 2023, retired Director of Athletics Herb Reinhard in 2024, head men's and women's tennis coach John Hansen in 2025 and now Williams in 2026. 

Details about the 2026 GSC Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be released at a later date, both on gscsports.org and on the GSC social media platforms.

Williams put together an outstanding career for the red and black as she was inducted into the VSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1998 and dominated her sport as a four-year starter from 1986-90.  She earned All-America First Team honors three times and led the Lady Blazers in scoring all four years.  She amassed 2,636 points in 105 games played for second all-time in scoring in team history.  

Her 2,636 points are most all-time in GSC history as is her 25.1 points per game, field goals made (1,003), free throws made (630), while she is fourth in career rebounds (1,217) and fifth in rebounds per game (11.6).  She earned all-conference honors four times and was named GSC Player of the Year three times and earned the first GSC Freshman of the Year award.  She averaged 26.8 points per game during the 1988-89 season, setting the GSC single-season record for scoring and led the nation in scoring that season.  She graduated from VSU in 1990 with a bachelor's degree in sociology.  

As a freshman, Williams announced herself on the national stage by scoring a career-high 50 points against Florida Southern – a single game record which still stands today at VSU.  As a sophomore, she finished second nationally in scoring at 25.7 points per game and 11.2 rebounds per game.  Her dominance earned her both GSC Player of the Year honors and she was recognized as the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Player of the Year.  

Her junior year solidified her among the nation's elite.  She led the conference and nation in scoring (26.8) and ranked tenth nationally in rebounding at 13.1 per contest.  As a senior, she continued her strong play finishing second in the nation in scoring (26.3), and averaged 12.4 rebounds per game. 

A CLOSER LOOK AT THE CLASS OF 2026

Franziska Bremm
School: University of West Georgia | Sport: Women's Golf
Category: Student-Athlete (2015-19)
Two-time WGCA All-American (2017, 2019) … Two-time all-region performer (2017, 2019) … Qualified for the NCAA regional tournament three times as an individual (2016, 2018, 2019) … Helped the Wolves win GSC Championship in 2017 … Two-time GSC Championship individual medalist (2016, 2019) … Three-time GSC Women's Golfer of the Year (2016, 2017, 2019) … 2016 GSC Freshman of the Year … Four-time First Team All-GSC selection ... Four-time GSC All-Tournament Team member … The 2019 recipient of the GSC Commissioner's Trophy … Won 10 times as individual during her career … Three-time GSC All-Academic Team honoree … Graduated from UWG in 2019 with a bachelor's degree in biology.

Larry Carpenter
School: Lee University | Sport: Athletic Director
Category: Administrator
Served as the Athletic Director from 1995 to 2023 … Helped guide the institution through its transition to NCAA Division II and joining the Gulf South Conference in 2015 … Under his leadership during the NCAA DII-era, the Flames won 42 GSC championships, one team NCAA national title (2022 Men's Golf), and six individual NCAA national titles … In 2022, Lee finished 11th in Division II Learfield Directors' Cup Standings … The Flames have also collected a total of 10 GSC All-Sport Trophies (3 Overall, 4 Women's, 3 Men's) … He served as the GSC administrative liaison for eight years and was on the NCAA DII Women's Soccer Championship Committee and Women's Soccer Regional Advisory Committee.

Terry Fleming
School: Mississippi College | Sport: Football
Category: Student-Athlete (1985-89)
Two-time AFCA First Team All-American … Three-time First Team All-GSC selection … Named 1989 GSC Defensive Player of the Year … Earned GSC Freshman of the Year honors in 1985 … Member of the 1980s GSC Team of the Decade and GSC Team of the Quarter Century (1971-95) … Provided professional for the Frankfurt Galaxy of the World Football League … Graduated from Mississippi College in 1990 with a degree in physical education. 

Janet Montgomery
School: University of West Alabama | Sport: Softball/Volleyball/Senior Woman Administrator
Category: Coach/Administrator (1988-Present)
Began her career as the head softball and volleyball coach in August 1988 … Led the Tigers softball program for 19 seasons, winning 426 games five GSC tournament titles, three division titles, and made one trip to the NCAA postseason … On the court, she guided West Alabama to 53 wins over four seasons and was named the 1990 GSC of the Year … Promoted to Assistant Athletic Director in April 2009 and named Senior Woman Administrator (SWA) … At time of induction, she will be the longest tenure SWA in GSC-history … Served on numerous NCAA Division II committees including Management Council, Playing Rules Oversight Panel, Softball, Championship Coach, and Minority Opportunities and Interest. 

Shannon Williams 
School: Valdosta State University | Sport: Women's Basketball
Category: Student-Athlete (1986-90)
Four-year starter for Valdosta State … Three-time GSC Women's Basketball Player of the Year (1988, 1989, 1990) … Named the first-ever GSC Freshman of the Year following the 1986-87 season … Four-time All-GSC selection … GSC career leader in points scored (2,636), points per game (25.1), field goals made (1,003), free throws made (630) … Ranks fourth among GSC career leaders in rebounds (1,217) and fifth in rebounds per game (11.6) … Averaged 26.8 points per game during the 1988-89 season, setting the GSC single-season record for points ... Graduated from Valdosta State in 1990 with a bachelor's in sociology.