Fans gather to celebrate the induction of sports legends at Nationals Park.
Washington D.C., July 24, 2025
The Washington D.C. Sports Hall of Fame will induct seven notable athletes, including Mia Hamm and Alana Beard, at Nationals Park. The ceremony honors their contributions to sports and will take place before a Nationals game. It highlights not only these stars but also a tribute to the Super Bowl XXVI champions, showcasing a rich sports heritage that emphasizes the importance of schools in shaping future athletic talent.
The 2025 Washington D.C. Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony will honor seven distinguished athletes, including soccer icon Mia Hamm and WNBA star Alana Beard, on Sunday, August 3, at Nationals Park. The event will take place prior to the Washington Nationals’ game against the Milwaukee Brewers, with gates opening at 12:15 p.m. to allow fans a chance to witness the celebration of D.C. sports legends.
Joining Hamm and Beard in this prestigious group are notable figures such as Craig Laughlin, the beloved color analyst for the Washington Capitals, Johnny Dawkins, a former NBA player and current college coach, Jim Larrañaga, a successful basketball coach, and Alonzo Mourning, an NBA champion and college standout. A special acknowledgment will also be paid to the Super Bowl XXVI champions from Washington, who are celebrated as one of the best teams in NFL history.
Mia Hamm, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, is well-known for her exploits on the soccer field. A graduate of Lake Braddock Secondary School in Burke, Virginia, Hamm led her high school soccer team to a state championship. She later became a founding player in the first women’s professional soccer league, the WUSA, where she played for the Washington Freedom. Hamm’s influence on women’s soccer has been tremendous, setting the foundation for future generations of female athletes.
Alana Beard, a former player for the Washington Mystics, left her mark on the WNBA with four All-Star and four All-Defensive Team selections. Beard currently ranks as the franchise leader in both points and steals, solidifying her place in the history of women’s basketball.
Another highlight of the ceremony will be a tribute to the 1991 Super Bowl XXVI champions, featuring key players such as quarterback Mark Rypien and All-Pro tackle Jim Lachey. That season, the team achieved an impressive record of 17-2 and is often regarded as one of the best in NFL history. USA Today recognized this team as the best of the first 50 years of the Super Bowl era, marking a significant milestone in sports history.
Craig Laughlin played six seasons for the Washington Capitals and has served as the team’s color analyst since 1990, making him a familiar voice among hockey fans. Johnny Dawkins, known for his stellar career at MacKin Catholic High School and Duke University, enjoyed a nine-year stint in the NBA and is currently a successful collegiate coach at the University of Central Florida.
Jim Larrañaga led George Mason University’s basketball program from 1997 to 2011, achieving 273 wins and famously guiding the team to a Final Four appearance in 2006. Alonzo Mourning, a standout at Georgetown University and the second overall pick in the 1992 NBA draft, won an NBA championship with the Miami Heat in 2006, further broadcasting his talent on the national stage.
The 2025 sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony promises to celebrate these influential figures and their contributions to the rich sports culture of Washington D.C. Fans are encouraged to arrive early and partake in the festivities leading up to the Nationals game, honoring the legacy of these remarkable athletes.
The ceremony will take place on Sunday, August 3, 2025, at Nationals Park before the Washington Nationals’ game against the Milwaukee Brewers, with gates opening at 12:15 p.m.
Notable inductees include Mia Hamm, Alana Beard, Craig Laughlin, Johnny Dawkins, Jim Larrañaga, and Alonzo Mourning, alongside a tribute to the Super Bowl XXVI champions team.
Mia Hamm is a two-time Olympic gold medalist, a high school state champion, and a founding member of the first women’s professional soccer league, the WUSA.
Alana Beard is a four-time WNBA All-Star, four-time All-Defensive Team member, and the franchise leader in points and steals for the Washington Mystics.
| Athlete | Sport | Notable Achievements |
|---|---|---|
| Mia Hamm | Soccer | Two-time Olympic gold medalist, led high school team to state title, founding member of WUSA |
| Alana Beard | Basketball | Four-time WNBA All-Star, franchise leader in points and steals |
| Craig Laughlin | Hockey | Six-season player, long-standing color analyst for Washington Capitals |
| Johnny Dawkins | Basketball | Former NBA player, current coach at University of Central Florida |
| Jim Larrañaga | Basketball | 273 wins as Georgetown coach, led team to 2006 Final Four |
| Alonzo Mourning | Basketball | NBA champion with Miami Heat, notable Georgetown player |
| Super Bowl XXVI Champions | Football | Best team of the first 50 years of Super Bowl era, record of 17-2 in 1991 |
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