MARSHALL, Minn. – Tickets are now on sale for the 18^th induction into the Southwest Minnesota State University Athletics Hall of Honor is set for Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, at the SMSU Upper Level Conference Center.
 
The festivities will begin at 10:30 a.m. with a half-hour social, followed by brunch and the induction ceremonies beginning at 11 a.m. 
 
Tickets for the brunch and ceremony are $25 per person with children $10. To reserve a ticket(s) for the banquet go to SMSUmustangs.com/HallofHonorTickets.  
 
The newest SMSU Athletics Hall of Honor members, announced in October, are former swimmer Denny Dayhuff (1971-75); volleyball player Sara Graf (2006-09); football player Paul Litwicki (1974-75, 78); baseball player Ryan Morse (2003-05); softball player Amanda Tucci (2006-09); former head men's basketball coach Tim Miles (1997-2001), the 1972-73 men's swimming & diving team; and community members Dave and Diane Taylor.
 
A 10-member committee chose the inductees from a group of nominations. The new inductees bring the membership in SMSU's Athletic Hall of Honor to 129 individuals/couples and 17 teams.
 
The SMSU Athletics Hall of Honor, with special thanks to US Bank, is displayed in the lobby of the R/A Facility. To view the SMSU Athletics Hall of Honor, go to SMSUmustangs.com/hallofhonor.
 
The following are biographical sketches on each of the 2026 inductees:
 
Denny Dayhuff • Men's Swimming & Diving, 1971-75
A native of South St. Paul, Minn. … 1971 graduate of South St. Paul HS … four-year letter winner … NAIA All-American in 50-yard freestyle (1974) placing fifth at NAIA Championships … finished eighth in the 50-yard freestyle at the 1973 NAIA Championships … finished eighth in the 50-yard freestyle at the 1975 NAIA Championships … two-time NIC champion in 50-yard freestyle (1972, 1974) … member of NIC champion 400-yard freestyle relay team (1973) … four-time All-NIC honoree (1972, 1973, 1974, 1975) … member of three NIC championship teams (1973, 1974, 1975).
 
Sara Graf • Volleyball, 2006-09
A native of Mount Pleasant, Iowa … 2006 graduate of Mount Pleasant HS … four-year letter winner … CoSIDA Academic All-American second team (2009) … All-NSIC first team (2008) … All-NSIC honorable mention (2007) … three-time CoSIDA Academic All-District (2007, 2008, 2009) … led team in assists for three seasons … member of four NCAA tournament teams … set team single-match record with 73 assists during the 2008 season … finished career ranking first in school history in assists (4,348), first in assists per set (11.2), and 12^th in service aces (117).
 
Paul Litwicki • Football, 1974-75, 78
A native of Lansing, Ill. … 1974 graduate of T.F. South HS … three-year letter winner … NAIA All-American honorable mention (1978) … NAIA District 13 first team (1978) … two-time All-NIC first team (1975, 1978) … All-NIC Honorable mention (1974) … signed free agent contract with Minnesota Vikings … finished career as the program's all-time leader in tackles (485).
 
Ryan Morse • Baseball, 2002-25
A native of St. Cloud, Minn. … 2001 graduate of St. Cloud Tech HS … three-year letter winner … sat out the 2002 season as a redshirt … drafted in 13^th round of MLB draft by Tampa Bay (2005) … played six seasons of professional baseball … three-time All-NSIC (2003, 2004, 2005) … ABCA All-Region second team (2005) … twice led the NSIC in strikeouts (2004, 2005) … two-time SMSU Pitcher of the Year (2003, 2005) … tossed no-hitter during 2005 season … three-time NSIC Pitcher of the Week … finished career ranking second in school history in strikeouts (190), second in strikeouts per nine innings (9.02), sixth in wins (17), and eighth in innings pitched (189.2).  
 
Amanda Tucci • Softball, 2006-09
A native of Oakdale, Minn. … 2005 graduate of Tartan HS … four-year letter winner ... Daktronics All-Region first team (2009) … Daktronics All-Region second team (2007) … two-time All-NSIC first team (2007, 2009) … All-NSIC honorable mention (2008) … member of four NCAA tournament teams … member of four NSIC championship teams … finished career ranking second in school history in home runs (32), third in RBIs (125), third in walks (77), and eighth in slugging pct. (504).
 
Tim Miles • Head Men's Basketball Coach, 1997-2001
Head men's basketball coach for four seasons … 2000-01 NSIC Coach of the Year … 2000-01 NABC North Central Region Coach of the Year … led SMSU to four straight winning seasons and overall record of 78-39 … SMSU won its first-ever NSIC championship (2000-01) … SMSU won the program's first-ever NCAA region championship (2000-01) and advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight … SMSU earned a program record 28 victories during the 2000-01 season … coached SMSU's first-ever NCAA All-American … following SMSU, served as head coach at North Dakota State, Colorado State, Nebraska and currently at San Jose State.
 
1972-73 Men's Swimming & Diving Team
Head coach Don Palm … won SMSU's first-ever conference championship in any sport … won seven individual races and three relays at the conference meet … set four and tied one conference record in individual events and set three records in relays at the NIC Championship … finished 25^th at the NAIA Championships … closed with a 15-6 dual meet record … start of five straight conference championships for the program.
 
Dave & Diane Taylor, Community Members
Avid supporters of SMSU and Mustang Athletics … witnessed the first-ever SMSU basketball and football games … Active members of SMSU Mustang Club activities … Served on SMSU Foundation board … served as SMSU Alumni Ambassadors … involved in numerous civic organizations in the community … both were teachers in Marshall School District teachers for a combined 60-plus years … taught or coached numerous future SMSU student-athletes.