ATHENS, Ga. – Former Valdosta State athletic trainer Russ Hoff was inducted into the Georgia Athletic Trainers' Association Hall of Fame during the organization's annual meeting June 5-7, 2026, on the campus of University of Georgia.

A member of the Valdosta State Athletic Hall of Fame, Hoff enjoyed a distinguished career at Valdosta State. He arrived in Titletown in August 1997 after serving in a similar capacity at Capital University and served as the Blazers' head athletic trainer and then Director of Sports Medicine until 2017. Hoff also played an integral role in the planning and development of the state-of-the-art VSU Athletic Field House, which opened in 2009. In 2017, he transitioned into a full-time faculty position in the Department of Health Sciences within VSU's College of Nursing and Health Sciences.

Hoff began his collegiate athletics career as an assistant professor in the Department of Health and Sports Sciences at Capital University. During his 10 years there, his contributions earned statewide recognition when he was named Ohio Athletic Trainer of the Year in 1993. Following his move to Valdosta State, he continued that success by earning Georgia Athletic Trainer of the Year honors in 2001.

In 2004, Hoff received one of the profession's highest honors when he was named the NCAA Division II Athletic Trainer of the Year. Throughout his tenure, he helped build Valdosta State's reputation for excellence in athletic training while contributing to one of the nation's premier athletic training academic programs.

During his 20 years with the athletic department, Hoff played a vital role in the success of countless student-athletes and teams. He was part of six national championship teams, including three football national titles, two men's tennis national championships, and one softball national championship.

Hoff joins a distinguished group of inductees in the GATA Hall of Fame, including former Blazer Charles 'Bobby' Tucker, who was inducted into the GATA Hall of Fame in 2018 and the Valdosta State Athletic Hall of Fame in 2014.
Valdosta State has maintained a strong presence in the GATA Hall of Fame through the induction of Lori Mobley Groover in 2011, Paul Higgs in 2021, Harold King in 2024, and now Hoff in 2026.