Idaho State welcomes 2026 Sports Hall of Fame class, inductees reflect on lasting Bengal legacy

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — Idaho State University welcomed a new class into its Sports Hall of Fame Saturday, honoring former athletes, coaches and longtime supporters who helped shape the history of Bengal Athletics.

The 2026 class includes Chelsea Pickering Hooker, Hailey Breakwell, Mike Castrilli, Brian Janssen, Tressa Lyman Page and Phil and Bekki Meador.

While each inductee left a lasting mark on their respective programs, several told Local News 8 that the relationships they built in Pocatello mean more than the championships and individual accolades.

For former women's basketball standout Chelsea Pickering Hooker, the recognition is the culmination of a career that included a Big Sky Conference championship in 2012 and an NCAA Tournament appearance.

"I told my husband if I ever were to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, it'd be the cherry on top," Pickering Hooker said.

Pickering Hooker finished her Bengal career with 1,200 points and earned Big Sky Tournament MVP honors during the team's championship run.

Joining her is former softball standout Hailey Breakwell, the 2014 Big Sky Conference Player of the Year. Breakwell finished her career with 210 hits, 144 RBIs and 21 home runs.

Despite those impressive numbers, Breakwell says the honor belongs to more than just herself.

"It's not really an individual award. I love, you know, just all the support of teammates and coaches," Breakwell said. "You can't really do it alone."

Breakwell is also excited about the direction of Idaho State softball after the Bengals captured the Big Sky Tournament championship last season and advanced to the NCAA Regionals.

"I think the program's in a really good place," Breakwell said, pointing to the team's recent success and improvements to its facilities.

Former men's tennis standout Mike Castrilli also joins the Hall of Fame after earning three consecutive Big Sky Conference MVP awards during his Bengal career.

Meanwhile, former cross country and track coach Brian Janssen is being recognized for his impact on generations of Idaho State athletes.

During his 21 years coaching the Bengals, Janssen helped produce seven NCAA Division I All-Americans and more than 60 conference champions.

But for Janssen, one of the most meaningful parts of the induction was seeing former athletes return to celebrate alongside him.

"Having all these kids come back from decades, it is just amazing to be a part of their lives, even in a minimal way," Janssen said.

Former volleyball standout Tressa Lyman Page is also among this year's inductees. The 2014 Big Sky MVP helped lead Idaho State to the 2013 conference tournament championship and the 2014 regular-season title.

For Lyman Page, her time in Pocatello provided far more than success on the court.

"One of my best friends I met playing volleyball here. I met my husband here, and we just love all of it," Lyman Page said.

Rounding out the class are Phil and Bekki Meador, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award for nearly five decades of dedication and support to Idaho State Athletics.

The couple's contributions have helped support scholarships, athletic facilities and opportunities for generations of Bengal student-athletes.

The induction ceremony took place Saturday, October 24, ahead of Idaho State's football matchup against Portland State at the ICCU Dome.

Although the inductees represent different sports and generations, their stories share a common theme: long after the final whistle, championship celebration or record-breaking performance, it's the people and relationships that keep them connected to Idaho State.