EVERETT — A major league pitcher, record-breaking hurdler and Everett Community College’s all-time winningest coach will be honored at the 2026 Athletic Awards and Hall of Fame Banquet on Tuesday, June 2, at the Walt Price Student Fitness Center.
The 2026 class also includes a historic golf team and a beloved public address announcer. Current student-athletes and teams of the year will be honored at the event for their academic and athletic excellence.
Tickets are $45 for adults and $25 for children age 12 and under, available at EverettCC.edu/Athletics.
“This is going to be a fantastic celebration,” EvCC Athletic Director Garet Studer said. “We have some incredible student athletes from this past year that we will be recognizing in addition to the Hall of Fame Inductees Class of 2026 who have had such an impact on our storied history.”
The 2026 Hall of Fame inductees are Emily Bland, Keone Kela, Chuck Kinney, Matt Koenigs, Dan Murphy, and the 1950 and 1951 men’s golf teams.
Emily Bland
As a standout track and field athlete in 2015 and 2016, Emily Bland became a three-time Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC) champion and school record-holder in the hurdles before continuing her championship success at Central Washington University. Today, she uses her passion for active living to serve her community as a fitness instructor in Ellensburg, Wash.
Chuck Kinney
Chuck Kinney won the Washington State Junior College individual golf title in 1950, helping the Trojans secure their fourth consecutive state championship. He earned a degree from Washington State University and served for 22 years in the U.S. Air Force, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He continued to compete in amateur golf tournaments around the world.
Keone Kela
After a standout 2012 freshman season when he helped the Trojans to a third-place NWAC finish, right-handed pitcher Keone Kela was selected by the Texas Rangers in the 12th round of the Major League Baseball draft. He played seven seasons in the major leagues as a reliable relief pitcher for three organizations, recording 28 saves and appearing in the postseason twice. He continues his professional career in the minor leagues and Mexico.
Matt Koenigs
As EvCC’s all-time winningest coach, Matt Koenigs led the cross country programs to national prominence from 2006 to 2014, capturing seven NWAC championships, 15 podium finishes and an undefeated 16-0 regional title record at EvCC. The six-time NWAC Coach of the Year built a premier destination for distance runners that produced 73 All-American athletes.
Dan Murphy
Serving as the high-energy “Voice of the Trojans” for over 400 games across eight years, Dan Murphy pioneered a unique blend of public address and play-by-play announcing that redefined the game-day experience for Trojan volleyball, baseball and softball players and fans. Beyond his 30-year history of coaching youth sports and personal athletic achievements, he considered his time behind the microphone the highlight of his career.
1950 and 1951 Men’s Golf
Led by local golf professional Ken Tucker, the 1950 and 1951 men’s golf teams secured the Trojans’ fourth and fifth consecutive state championships to cement an era of dominance for Everett Junior College. The 1950 squad captured the title behind Kinney’s two-under-par, while an entirely new 1951 roster soundly defeated second-place Grays Harbor by 22 strokes in the championship match.
The Hall of Fame honors those who have made lasting contributions to Trojan athletics through athletic achievement, coaching excellence or service to the college and community. Inductees are selected by a committee of coaches, alumni and community members.
For more information and to RSVP, visit EverettCC.edu/Athletics.
Source: Everett Community College
Author: Lynnwood Times Staff
