Elizabeth Athletic Hall of Fame Celebrates 2026 Induction Ceremony

Athletic Hall of Fame Inducts 2026 Class in Elizabeth, NJ

Nine decades of Elizabeth sports history filled one room in June, when the Elizabeth Athletic Hall of Fame Association inducted its Class of 2026 at its annual induction dinner. Union County Life is marking the occasion by looking back at who earned a place on the wall this year, and why the city keeps showing up to celebrate them.

The 2026 class includes Art Carrington Jr., Jamil Jackson, Asad Abdul-Khaliq, Anthony "Tony" Mendes, Derrick "Poppy" Rolon, Naimah Smith, and Lawrence Thomas. The evening also recognized the 1970 Thomas Jefferson High School Football Team as a group inductee, and honored James "Jimmy" Milazzo posthumously.

A team that still gets talked about

The inclusion of the 1970 Thomas Jefferson team gave the night an extra layer of nostalgia. Hall of Fame organizers specifically invited members of that squad to identify themselves when reserving tickets, a small detail that says a lot about how long this team's reputation has followed it around Elizabeth.

Scholarships alongside the honors

The induction dinner did more than look backward. The Hall of Fame Association also announced its 2026 scholarship recipients: Zaki Abdur-Rahman, Helena Lehman, Emely Serano, Layanee Abuhamoud, and Cristian Delgado. Pairing the scholarship presentations with the induction ceremony has become part of how the organization ties Elizabeth's athletic past to its next generation.

Founded to honor athletes, coaches, and teams who left a mark on the city, the Elizabeth Athletic Hall of Fame Association has built its induction dinner into one of the more anticipated nights on the local sports calendar.

For a city with as deep a sports history as Elizabeth's, nights like this one are as much about the stories being retold at the tables as the honors being handed out at the podium.

Find more Elizabeth events, arts coverage, and community news on Union County Life.

Who was inducted into the Elizabeth Athletic Hall of Fame in 2026?
The Class of 2026 includes Art Carrington Jr., Jamil Jackson, Asad Abdul-Khaliq, Anthony "Tony" Mendes, Derrick "Poppy" Rolon, Naimah Smith, Lawrence Thomas, the 1970 Thomas Jefferson High School Football Team, and posthumous inductee James "Jimmy" Milazzo.

Does the Elizabeth Athletic Hall of Fame also give out scholarships?
Yes. The 2026 induction dinner also recognized five scholarship recipients: Zaki Abdur-Rahman, Helena Lehman, Emely Serano, Layanee Abuhamoud, and Cristian Delgado.

What is the Elizabeth Athletic Hall of Fame Association?
It is a local organization dedicated to honoring athletes, coaches, and teams who have made a lasting mark on athletics in the City of Elizabeth.