Three legendary individuals in Georgia Gwinnett College athletics history will be the inaugural inductees into the Office of Athletics' Athletic Hall of Fame on January 16, 2026.

Being recognized in special festivities during the college's men's basketball game in the Convocation Center will be multiple NAIA national champion men's tennis standout Kevin Konfederak and softball All-American outfielder Niki Cook along with 15-time national champion tennis head coach Chase Hodges.

"Kevin Konfederak, Niki Cook and Chase Hodges played remarkable roles in building the foundation and legacy of Grizzly Athletics, and it's only fitting that they are forever being remembered as part of our historic Athletic Hall of Fame class," said Executive Athletics Director Dr. Ian Potter.

Konfederak is the most decorated tennis player in NAIA history, being a part of 10 individual national titles and four team national championships. He was a four-time first-team NAIA All-American and eight-time Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) All-American, and had a 44-5 record in singles and 68-3 mark in doubles.

The Buenos Aires, Argentina, native advanced to the quarterfinal round of the ITA's fall national championships, defeating players from NCAA Division I Texas A&M University, Ohio State University and Florida State University. Off the court, Konfederak was a two-time Academic All-American, including the 2018 NAIA Male At-Large Academic All-America Team Member of the Year. He also is the only recipient of the Golden Grizzly award for embodying all five of GGC's core values during a student-athlete's career.

Cook was a two-time first-team All-American by the NAIA and National Fastpitch Coaches Association and set numerous single season and career program records. The outfielder led the nation with 71 stolen bases in 2017 while posting a .603 batting average. As a senior, Cook helped the Grizzlies earn their first No. 1 national ranking and first trip to the 2018 NAIA World Series.

The Buford, Georgia, native still ranks atop the program records for career batting average (.558), stolen bases (141) and on-base percentage (.617), and stands second in slugging percentage (.671), third in hits (212) and fourth in runs scored (155).

Hodges built and orchestrated GGC's men's and women's tennis programs to a remarkable 15 NAIA team national championships from 2013-22. He compiled a 377-22 record at the helm of both programs, including an outstanding 210-3 mark with the men's program. Overall, Hodges posted a 623-113 record in 21 seasons as a collegiate head coach.

Konfederak was among 96 NAIA All-Americans mentored by Hodges, with both programs having 48 All-Americans. GGC had the longest winning streak in collegiate tennis when the men's tennis program won 173 consecutive victories from 2015-23. The men's and women's teams captured their first national titles in 2014, the inaugural season of postseason eligibility for both programs.

"Each of these inaugural Athletic Hall of Fame honorees embody the very best of what it means to be a Grizzly, leading as student-athletes and a coach," said Potter.

Darin S. Wilson, GGC's Vice President of Advancement and Community Engagement along with being the college's inaugural athletics director, stated, "It is incredibly meaningful to see Chase Hodges, Kevin Konfederak and Niki Cook being honored in the GGC Athletics Hall of Fame. Each of them played a vital role in building the foundation and lasting legacy of Grizzly athletics. Their excellence, competitiveness and commitment set the standard for what it means to be a Grizzly, and their impact continues to shape GGC Athletics today."

The inaugural class members join former Assistant Athletics Director for Facilities Doug Court, who was the first inductee into the Athletic Hall of Fame after retiring in 2024.

Georgia Gwinnett College teams have won 21 national championships and 34 conference titles since the inaugural 2012-13 season. Six of the eight intercollegiate teams are consistently ranked in their NAIA's Top 25 polls, while the new men's and women's basketball teams each have winning records in their inaugural season.