The Alabama Sports Hall of Fame (ASHOF) inducted its 57th class on May 3, 2025 in the Birmingham Ballroom of the Sheraton Birmingham Hotel in Birmingham, Alabama. The class included Otis Davis, Roberta Alison Baumgardner, Charles “Butch” Moore, Mike Mitchell, Keith Butler, Frank Warren, Jason Dufner, and Mark Ingram II.
Since 1968, the ASHOF has inducted individuals who have shown excellence in sports and brought honor to the state of Alabama. This year, the newest inductees joined the ranks of the 401 other athletes who hold the honor of being a part of Alabama’s Sports Hall of Fame.
Friends, family, former coaches, and teammates traveled far and wide to honor these elite athletes and their impact on Alabama sports. The ceremony included videos showcasing the inductee’s career highlights, speeches from each inductee or a family member representing the late athlete, and a plaque given in honor of each inductee. Mark Ingram, the former University of Alabama running back who brought home the school’s first-ever Heisman trophy in 2009, is the youngest inductee among this class.
The 2025 ASHOF class profiles:
Otis Davis (1932-2024)
Born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, this track and field star toured the world throughout his record-breaking career. In Rome during the 1960 Olympic Games, Davis won all seven races he participated in, bringing home a pair of gold medals after breaking world records in the 400 meters and the 4×400 relay team. At 28 years old, Davis became the first sprinter to break the 45-second mark in the 400 meters. He coached aspiring track athletes in the U.S. and Germany after retiring from running and was an Olympic torchbearer in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
Davis’ wife accepted his plaque at the ceremony on his behalf, and shared how Otis is smiling down from heaven at this honor.
Roberta Alison Baumgardner (1943-2009)
A native of Alexander City, Alabama, Roberta’s dad taught her tennis when she was just seven years old. Baumgardner was a trailblazer for women’s sports and would go on to win the women’s collegiate singles title back-to-back in 1962 and 1963—17 years before women’s tennis would be sponsored by the SEC.
After receiving the first female athletic scholarship from The University of Alabama, Roberta played on the Crimson Tide’s men’s tennis team from 1962-1965, finishing with an overall record of 39-14.
Roberta’s son accepted her plaque at the ceremony on her behalf, recalling how he was always impressed she could play tennis with a racket in one hand and a cigarette and a Coke in the other.
Charles “Butch” Moore (1953-)
The Milwaukee Brewers drafted Charles “Butch” Moore, the catcher from Birmingham, as soon as he graduated from Minor High School in 1971. Butch played in big league baseball for 15 seasons and is the only MLB player to hit for the cycle and steal two bases in the same game. In 2014, Butch was named to the All-Time Alabama Baseball Team and the Milwaukee Brewers Wall of Honor.
Butch personally accepted his plaque at the ceremony and shared several baseball stories from his time with the Brewers.
Mike Mitchell (1956-2011)
Named to the All-SEC basketball team four times, Mike Mitchell was a standout athlete on Auburn University’s basketball team. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Mike still holds records at his alma mater; he is the all-time leading rebounder in Auburn history and the second in all-time scoring with 2,123 points in four seasons.
Mitchell was drafted 15th overall in the 1978 NBA draft, playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers and San Antonio Spurs during his 11-year NBA career. Later, Mike went on to play professionally in Italy and Israel.
Mike’s wife accepted his plaque at the ceremony on his behalf and shared fond memories of the couple traveling the world during his basketball career.
Keith Butler (1956-)
After starting as a linebacker for Memphis State for three years—earning All-American honors as a senior—Keith Butler was drafted during the second round of the NFL Draft in 1978 by the Seattle Seahawks. The Anniston, Alabama, native spent 10 seasons with the Seahawks, racking up 813 tackles (second for all-time tackles with the franchise) during his time in Seattle. Butler retired from football in 1987. He then picked up a clipboard and headset and started coaching college and pro teams in 1990. He finished off his 23-year coaching career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, serving first as the linebackers coach, then as defensive coordinator, and winning two Super Bowls with the franchise.
Keith personally accepted his plaque at the ceremony and shared how he feels like he never worked a day in his life because of how much he loves the game of football.
Frank Warren (1959-2002)
After playing and setting records in several sports at Philips High School in Birmingham, Alabama, Frank Warren decided to play football for Auburn University. The defensive lineman was named an All-SEC player for three consecutive seasons while playing for the Auburn Tigers.
Warren was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the third round in 1981 and spent all 13 pro years with the Saints, ranking sixth among the Saints for all-time sacks.
Frank’s daughter accepted his plaque at the ceremony on his behalf and said it was a great honor for the Warren family to see Frank inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Jason Dufner (1977-)
Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Jason Dufner made an impact on the Auburn University golf team. A walk-on, Dufner competed at Auburn and won three college events, propelling him to debut on the professional golf stage the same year he graduated from Auburn in 2000. Jason was ranked 6th in the world in 2006 and has won eight professional tournaments in his career.
Dufner personally accepted his plaque at the ceremony and talked about how his professional career in golf opened up opportunities for him to help others in need.
Mark Ingram (1989-)
Mark Ingram brought the first Heisman trophy home to The University of Alabama as a sophomore running back in 2009. The New Jersey native racked up numerous football awards while playing for the Crimson Tide, including being named to the All-SEC Freshman Team, being selected as an All-American, and being honored as offensive MVP after the Tide’s national championship victory over Texas in the 2009 season.
Ingram continued his football career in the NFL for 12 years, playing for the Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans, and finishing out his professional football career where he started it with the New Orleans Saints.
Mark personally accepted his plaque at the ceremony and tearfully thanked his wife, kids, parents, friends, and coaches.
The night ended with the ASHOF class of 2025 giving an oath to be officially sworn in. Applause filled the room as all eight new inductees or their loved ones accepted the honor on their behalf and stood officially as Hall of Famers. TG
For more information on ASHOF, visit https://ashof.org/.
Photos courtesy Alabama Sports Hall of Fame
