JACKSON, Miss.- Crusader Head Baseball Coach Bobby Halford is set to be inducted into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2026, the Sports Hall of Fame and Museum announced Wednesday. Halford will be formally inducted alongside six other inductees during the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame Induction Weekend on July 31-August 1, 2026.
 
Halford first stepped foot on the campus of William Carey in 1972 to play baseball and basketball for the Crusaders. By way of Meridian, there's no way Halford could have ever imagined the impact he'd have on the school. Over fifty years later, he's still on campus serving, and making those around him better.
 
After completing his playing career, Halford joined the coaching ranks at Carey as an assistant baseball coach and the first ever head women's basketball coach. He led the Lady Crusader program to 152 wins and a conference championship over ten seasons. While shuffling back and forth from the hardwood to the diamond, the Crusader baseball team won three conference championships and a berth in the NAIA World Series during his eight seasons as an assistant. From there, Halford moved into an administration role after being named William Carey's Athletic Director in 1984. He served in that role until 1987.
 
In 1986, Halford returned to William Carey Baseball and a dynasty was born. During his forty years at the helm, the legendary coach has amassed 21 conference championships, 28 trips to the NAIA postseason, 1,375 victories, and three trips to the NAIA World Series including two semi-finalist finishes. He is the winningest active coach in the NAIA and has more wins in Mississippi collegiate baseball than any other coach before him after passing Mississippi State's Ron Polk last season.
 
Halford's success as a coach hasn't been a secret hidden away on the campus of William Carey. He's been named a conference and regional coach of the year by his peers 14 different times. To add to that, he was named the NAIA National Coach of the Year in 2017 and the Small College National Coach of the Year in 2021.Halford was inducted into the William Carey Sports Hall of Fame in 2015, the NAIA Hall of Fame in 2024, and the William Carey Alumni Hall of Fame in 2025. He will become just the second ever inductee from William Carey into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame next August.
 
About the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum
The Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame exists to promote, preserve and protect Mississippi's rich sports heritage for this and generations to come. The Museum serves as a destination where sports legends come to live forever through interactive displays and exhibits where visitors can play, learn and dream. The 501(c)(3) organization recognizes excellence in athletics and contributions to sports statewide. For more information about the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame & Museum, visit msfame.com or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mssportshofandmuseum.