Transylvania Athletics is honored to introduce the inductees of the Class of 2026 Hall of Fame. 

The first inductee of this year's class is the 2006 Men's Basketball team. The 2006 Pioneers finished the season with a 27-5 overall record, 13-1 within Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) play. 

Transylvania defeated Defiance, Mount St. Joseph and Franklin in the HCAC Tournament, claiming the 2006 HCAC Tournament Championship and advancing to the 2006 NCAA Division III National Tournament. In the opening round, Transylvania defeated Bethany 75-56, advancing to defeat Wooster 91-88 in the second round. Transylvania would defeat Mississippi College in the sectional round to advance to the Elite Eight, where they would fall to Wittenberg 74-61. 

The 2006 Men's Basketball team's accomplishments include the 2006 HCAC Championship, an NCAA Tournament Elite Eight appearance and a national ranking throughout the season. 

The roster included Ryan Atwell, Marc Bain, Bryan Howard, Robert Pendleton, Tyler Smithhart, Matt Finke, Adam Cole, Ryan Meyer, Cody Swords, Nick Music, Andre Tunstill, Gary Mouser, Stephen Gabbard, Joey Verax, Brock Jones and Joey Searle. Coaches included Head Coach Brian Lane and Assistant Coaches Toby Carrigan, Nate Valentine and Cris Lindeman. Tim Tommerup served as Athletic Trainer. 

The second inductee into the 2026 Class of the Transylvania Athletics Hall of Fame is Shannon Florea. 

Shannon Florea was a member of the Transylvania Cross Country program from 1995-1999. She was awarded Most Valuable Player honors for the team her freshman and senior seasons and held the position of captain her sophomore, junior and senior years. She was named an NAIA Academic All-American and graduate Cum Laude. 

After her career at Transylvania, Dr. Florea continued to compete at a high level while completing medical school, residency and fellowship. She went on to compete in triathlons where she won or podiumed in countless races across the globe - including world championships, while racing at a professional level. She has set American records in the USATF Track Masters 4x800 in 2022, 2023 and 2024. In 2025 she competed in the USATF Track World Championships, she paced fourth age group in the Cross Country Championships and seventh age group in the 800m World Finals. She also podiumed in the ultimate fitness racing Hyrox in New York City. 

The third inductee in the 2026 Class of the Transylvania Athletics Hall of Fame is Nicole Coffman Sanders. 

Nicole Coffman Sanders was a member of the Women's Basketball program at Transylvania from 2011-2015. During her time in the program, she was named Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) Most Valuable Player two times, was selected to HCAC First-Team All-Conference three times and was named HCAC Freshman of the Year. She ranks second in All-Time scoring at Transylvania with 1,920 points, first overall in single-season scoring with 581 points, third overall in career field goals made with 651 and second overall in career free throws made with 518.

The final inductee of the Class of 2026 Hall of Fame for Transylvania Athletics is Kyle Smith. 

Kyle Smith was a member of the Men's Soccer program from 2010-2013. Smith was named Co-Freshman of the Year for the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) in 2010. Smith led the Pioneers to three consecutive HCAC regular-season titles in 2010, 2011 and 2012 - the Pioneers advanced to the NCAA Division III National Tournament in the 2010 and 2012 seasons. Smith is the program's all-time leader in points (110), goals (47), points per game (1.43), goals per game (0.61), game winning goals (15) and second in career assists (16). Smith also set a program record in 2012 with 40 points in one season, before breaking his own record with 44 in 2013. Smith was named HCAC Most Valuable Offensive Player in 2012 and 2013. 

Smith became the first Transylvania Men's Soccer player to compete in Major League Soccer (MLS), signing with Orlando City SC in 2018. Prior to signing with Orlando City, Smith spent three seasons with Louisville City SC in the United Soccer League (USL). He also played with the Cincinnati Dutch Lions of the Premier Development League in 2014 and 2015. Most recently, Smith signed with FC Cincinnati in January of 2026 after spending the previous seven seasons with Orlando City SC. 

The Class of 2026 for the Transylvania Athletics Hall of Fame will be inducted on April 24th at 5:00 p.m. at the William T. Young Center.