ANGOLA, Ind. – Later this week, at the annual Touchstone and Homecoming Celebration Dinner, three new inductees will be welcomed into the Trine University Athletic Hall of Fame. During the week we will highlight the Class of 2026 and their accomplishments.

The 2016-17 and 2017-18 women's basketball teams brought the program to national prominence.

The 2016-17 team captured the program's first Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) regular season and tournament championships, leading to their first trip to the NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Championship tournament. The Thunder finished 25-3 overall, 15-1 in MIAA play. The team won their first NCAA tournament contest, 63-56 score against Illinois Wesleyan University, before concluding with a loss to Ohio Northern.

Brandi Dawson, a 2024 Hall of Fame inductee, led the campaign, earning both MIAA MVP and All-American status, the first individual to do either. Haley Martin was also crucial to the effort, earning MIAA Defensive Player of the Year and joining Dawson on All-Region teams.

The 2017-18 team built on that success. They finished 26-4 overall, 15-1 in the MIAA, winning the conference regular season title for the second year in a row. After a loss in the MIAA Tournament Championship game, Trine received its first at-large selection to the NCAA Tournament. The Thunder won two games on the national stage, one against DePauw and the other against Illinois Wesleyan, to reach the sweet sixteen.

Dawson once again earned MIAA MVP, All-Region and All-American status. Martin repeated as MIAA Defensive Player of the Year. Both were first team All-MIAA.

In addition to the official induction to the Hall of Fame on Friday, October 2, all members of the class will be recognized on the field during Trine's Homecoming Football game against Alma College on Saturday, October 3. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. with recognitions taking place throughout.