Chattahoochee Valley Sports Hall of Fame announces 2026 inductees
The Chattahoochee Valley Sports Hall of Fame has announced its 2026 inductees, which include former local athletes, coaches and those who have helped further athletics in the area.
Those five people are Mark Levy, Aileen Morales, John Shinkle, Bobby Wright and Carolyn Wright.
Here’s what to know about each person.
Mark Levy
The Columbus High School graduate (1966) played track and field and was known as one of the city’s top jumpers during his high school career, the CVSHOF said.
Levy has served as the chairman of Columbus Regional Tennis Association (CORTA) since 1995, and authored CORTA’s original code of conduct, according to CVSHOF.
CVSHOF said Levy’s accomplishments include the following:
- “Spirit of Pop Warner” Award, 1960
- Georgia State Clay Tennis Sportsmanship Award, 1988
- Softball Tournament MVP, 2007
- USTA National Tennis Champion, 2015
- U.S. Open Pickleball Gold Medalist, 2023
- 2-Time Gold Medalist at the 2024 U.S. Senior Pickleball North American Championship
“Mark’s unique combination of athletic skills, sportsmanship, and leadership makes him a rare multi-sport champion whose impact spans generations and sports communities,” the CVSHOF news release says.
Aileen Morales
Morales is a 2003 graduate of Hardaway High School and helped lead the softball team to four region championships and a 2003 AAAA state title, according to CVSHOF.
Morales was named Georgia AAAA player of the year after a season with a .476 batting average, according to a press release.
Morales played at Georgia Tech from 2005-2008, where she was named ACC Co-Freshman of the Year and earned All-ACC second team honors in 2005 and First team honors in 2007 and 2008, according to CVSHOF.
She holds multiple Georgia Tech program records, including career runs scored (216), stolen bases (154), and at-bats (850). Morales played professionally for the Chicago Bandits from 2008-2009, winning a National Pro Fastpitch championship in 2008.
Morales started her coaching career at Georgia Tech in 2009 as a student assistant, eventually becoming the current head coach of Georgia Tech Softball, according to the news release.
Morales’ other accomplishments include:
- Second-Team Easton All-American
- Third-Team NFCA All-American in 2007
- Three-time NFCA All-Southeast Region selection
- All-ACC Academic Team and Academic Honor Roll
- Top 10 in ACC history in runs, hits, and stolen bases
“Aileen Morales exemplifies excellence, leadership, and lifelong dedication to the game,” the news release says.
John Shinkle
Shinkle is a 1969 graduate of Hardaway High School, according to the news release. He has given over 30 years of service to the Columbus State University Athletic Fund, serving two terms as president.
CVSHOF said Shinkle serves as Vice Chairman of the Haskins Foundation, where he helped revitalize the Haskins Award and launch the ANNIKA award, which honors the top male and female collegiate golfers.
“John was instrumental in bringing 12 top NCAA Division I women’s golf programs to Columbus for the inaugural Haskins Foundation Women’s Intercollegiate tournament in 2026,” the release says.
CVSHOF said Shinkle’s other accomplishments include:
- Chairman of the Columbus Sports Council
- Chaired the 1775 Society of the National Infantry Museum
- President of the Country Club of Columbus
- Led the Columbus Charter Review Commission
“Through his decades of unwavering service and visionary leadership, John Shinkle has elevated both the athletic and civic institutions of his community,” the news release says.
Bobby Wright
Bobby Wright, husband of Carolyn Wright, was a standout basketball player at Buena Vista High School, where he graduated in 1970. He went on to play basketball at Fort Valley State University, where he graduated in 1974, according to the news release.
Bobby Wright began his coaching career at Carver High School before moving to Central High School in 1977.
He served as assistant football coach from 1977-2012 and defensive coordinator from 1987-2013, recording 59 shutouts and holding opponents to an average of 10.8 points per game across 26 seasons, according to the news release.
Bobby Wright served as head basketball coach from 1989-2021 and amassed a win record of 675-223, winning 19 Area Championships, 7 Regional Titles, making 7 Final Four appearances and finishing as State Runner-Up in 1999 and 2016, according to CVSHOF.
He served as Phenix City Schools’ athletic director from 1998-2020 and was a member of the Alabama High School Athletic Directors Coaches Association for over four decades.
Some of Bobby Wright’s other accomplishments include:
- 7-time All Bi-City Coach of the Year
- 2016 NFHS Alabama State & South Sectional Coach of the Year
- 2020 AHSAA Black History Month Honoree
“Respected, decorated, and deeply influential, Bobby Wright’s career is marked not just by wins, but by the generations of student-athletes, coaches, and colleagues who have been shaped by his example of discipline, integrity, and commitment,” the news release says.
Carolyn Wright
CVSHOF said Carolyn Wright graduated from Tuskegee Institute High School in 1974 and later attended Alabama State University, where she competed in volleyball, track and cheerleading- earning her B.S. (1978) and M.Ed. (1981) degrees.
She began her coaching career at McIntyre Junior High in Montgomery, Alabama, before her 32-year career at Central High School in Phenix City from 1991-2023.
Carolyn Wright served as head track coach (1991-2011) and head volleyball coach (2002-2018), amassing a record of 593-375, winning 11 area tiles, 4 regional titles and making four Final Four appearances, the news release says.
She founded the Mary Jane Riley Volleyball Tournament in 2015, according to the news release.
Carolyn Wright’s other accomplishments include:
- Teacher of the Year in 2018–2019
- All Bi-City Coach of the Year
- SportsVision Legacy Award
- Multiple resolutions from the Phenix City Council
CVSHOF said both Carolyn and her husband, Bobby Wright, were jointly honored as AHSAA Hall of Fame Inductees.
“With decades of service, championship leadership, and a heart for student-athletes, Carolyn Wright stands as a model of what it means to lead, teach, and inspire,” the news release says.
Celebration and how to attend
The induction of the honorees will take place at 10 a.m. on Feb. 21, 2026, at the Columbus Convention and Trade Center.
Tickets can be purchased online cvsportshof.com for $35, according to the news release.
This story was originally published October 7, 2025 at 4:36 PM.