Albany State honors 2026 Hall of Fame class
Albany State University celebrated generations of athletic achievement Friday night, honoring former Golden Rams who left their marks as athletes, coaches and community leaders while also recognizing a championship team from Darton State College.
ALBANY — Albany State University celebrated generations of athletic achievement Friday night, honoring former Golden Rams who left their marks as athletes, coaches and community leaders while also recognizing a championship team from Darton State College.
Six individuals — Robert L. Sampson Sr., Janel Herring-Farlin, Frank “Choo-Choo” Brown Jr., Keith Kinney, Edward “E.T.” Taylor and Edward “Ed” Wilson — were inducted into the Albany State Athletics Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the university’s West Campus Ballroom. The 2016 Darton State College baseball team was also inducted. Pasted markdown
The class stretches across decades of Albany State athletics and includes accomplishments in football, basketball, volleyball, cross-country, track and field and baseball.
Brown helped establish a piece of Golden Rams football history.
A four-year letterman from 1964-67 who played tackle and end, Brown earned All-Conference honors in each of his four seasons. He was named Defensive Player of the Year in 1967 after averaging 15 tackles per game and earned Small College All-America recognition. He later became the first Albany State player selected in the NFL Draft when the Dallas Cowboys chose him. Pasted markdown
Wilson also carried his Albany State career into the NFL. A three-sport athlete in football, baseball and track and field, Wilson was a four-year starter in both football and baseball and earned All-SIAC football honors. The Atlanta Falcons selected him in the 11th round of the 1974 NFL Draft. Pasted markdown
Herring-Farlin built one of the most decorated volleyball résumés in school history. She earned SIAC MVP honors in 2002 and 2004, was named the conference’s Best Offensive Player in 2003 and 2004 and was Albany State’s Athlete of the Year in 2003. She also competed in track and field and contributed to Albany State’s run of SIAC volleyball championships from 2001-05. Pasted markdown
Kinney helped make Albany State a conference power in distance running. After arriving on scholarship in 1977, he contributed to four consecutive SIAC cross-country championships from 1977-80 while winning individual championships in the 1,500, 5,000 and 10,000 meters. He was named Albany State Athlete of the Year in 1979 and SIAC Most Outstanding Track and Field Athlete in 1981. Pasted markdown
Taylor’s Albany State legacy extended from playing to coaching. A former Golden Rams football and baseball player, he returned in 2002 to lead the baseball program. Taylor compiled a 246-155 record over nine seasons, winning six conference championships and making two NCAA Division II Regional Tournament appearances. He now works with the Texas Rangers Youth Academy. Pasted markdown
Sampson’s contributions have continued long after his playing days in football and basketball. A 1976 Albany State graduate, he has spent more than 25 years supporting Golden Rams athletics through fundraising, volunteer leadership and community outreach. He also founded the Albany State Quarterback Club and served 10 years as president of the Westover High School Football Gridiron Club. Pasted markdown
The ceremony also connected Albany State with an important piece of Darton State history.
The 2016 Cavaliers baseball team went 43-21 under coach Scot Hemmings, winning the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association regular-season and tournament championships. Darton then captured the East Central District Championship and advanced to the Junior College World Series.
The Cavaliers won four consecutive elimination games during their postseason run, including a walk-off victory to clinch the regional championship. They finished the season ranked No. 9 nationally while posting a 3.30 spring GPA. The run came during Darton’s final year before consolidation, making the championship season one of the program’s final athletic achievements. Pasted markdown
Albany State President Robert Scott, athletics director Kristene Kelly and ASU National Alumni Association President Sharmagne Goff joined family members, former players, teammates and Golden Rams supporters for the induction ceremony. Pasted markdown
Together, the newest Hall of Fame class represents more than championships and individual honors. Its members span different eras and sports, but share a
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