COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — In it's 30th year of celebrating sports leaders throughout the Chattahoochee Valley, the 2026 class of the Chattahoochee Valley Sports Hall of Fame has been announced.
Mark Levy, Aileen Morales, John Shinkle, Bobby Wright and Carolyn Wright will all be honored as inductees into the Sports Hall of Fame in a ceremony at the Columbus Convention and Trade Center on Feb. 21, 2026.
The Chattahoochee Valley Sports Hall of Fame says the inductees' experience in the field and their heart for community service is part of the reason the five individuals were chosen.
Brief summaries of the inductees, provided by the hall of fame, can be seen below:
Mark Levy
A lifelong athlete, leader, and advocate for sportsmanship, Mark Levy has dedicated over six decades to athletics—earning accolades across multiple sports and generations.
A proud graduate of Columbus High School (1966), Mark was a standout in track and field, recognized as one of the city's top jumpers during his high school career. His competitive spirit and commitment to excellence laid the foundation for a remarkable lifetime in sports.
Mark's influence extends well beyond competition. As Chairman of the Columbus Regional Tennis Association (CORTA) since 1995, he helped shape the organization's values by authoring the original CORTA Code of Conduct, which served as the gold standard for sportsmanship and behavior in the local tennis community for many years.
Throughout his athletic journey, Mark has earned a wide range of honors and achievements across multiple disciplines:
- Georgia State Clay Tennis Sportsmanship Award, 1988
- Softball Tournament MVP, 2007
- USTA National Tennis Champion, 2015
- U.S. Open Pickleball Gold Medalist, 2023
- 2-Time Gold Medalist at the 2024 U.S. Senior Pickleball North American Championship
Mark's unique combination of athletic skills, sportsmanship, and leadership makes him a rare multi-sport champion whose impact spans generations and sports communities. His induction into the Hall of Fame honors not only his personal achievements, but his enduring legacy of integrity, service, and passion for athletics.
Aileen Morales
A dynamic athlete, accomplished coach, and true ambassador for the game of softball, Aileen Morales has excelled at every level of competition—from high school state champion to collegiate record-holder and professional athlete.
A 2003 graduate of Hardaway High School, Aileen was a four-year varsity standout in softball, helping lead her team to four Region Championships and the 2003 AAAA State Title. That same year, she was named the Georgia AAAA Player of the Year after hitting an incredible .476 batting average. Her academic achievements were equally impressive as a member of both the National Honor Society and Spanish Society.
Aileen continued her playing career at Georgia Tech (2005–2008), where she made an immediate impact. She was named ACC Co-Freshman of the Year and went on to earn All-ACC First Team honors twice (2007–08), along with Second Team honors in 2005. She was a Second-Team Easton All-American and Third-Team NFCA All-American in 2007, and a three-time NFCA All-Southeast Region selection.
A true five-tool player, Aileen still holds multiple Georgia Tech program records, including career runs scored (216), stolen bases (154), and at-bats (850). She also ranks in the top 10 in ACC history in runs, hits, and stolen bases. Off the field, she was just as committed—earning a spot on the All-ACC Academic Team and Academic Honor Roll.
Following college, Aileen competed professionally with the Chicago Bandits (2008–2009), winning a National Pro Fastpitch Championship in 2008.
Her passion for the game brought her back to Georgia Tech, first as a student assistant in 2009, then quickly rising to full-time assistant coach in 2010, where she took charge of infielders, hitters, and recruiting. Today, she continues to lead and inspire as the Head Coach of Georgia Tech Softball, shaping the next generation of student-athletes.
From record-setting player to championship coach, Aileen Morales exemplifies excellence, leadership, and lifelong dedication to the game. Her induction into the Hall of Fame honors an extraordinary career still in motion—and a legacy that continues to grow.
John Shinkle
A distinguished leader, dedicated community servant, and tireless advocate for athletics, John Shinkle has spent more than three decades shaping the landscape of sports and civic life in Columbus, Georgia.
A proud graduate of Hardaway High School, class of 1969, John's enduring commitment to athletics is most notably reflected through his 30+ years of service to the Columbus State University Athletic Fund, where he served two terms as President and continues to play an active role in fundraising, investment management, and championing CSU Athletics across the region.
His influence reaches nationally through his role as Vice Chairman of the Haskins Foundation, where he helped revitalize the prestigious Haskins Award and launch the ANNIKA Award, honoring the nation's top male and female collegiate golfers. His leadership secured major corporate sponsorships and international media partnerships, positioning the Foundation as a premier collegiate golf awards organization. Most recently, John was instrumental in bringing 12 top NCAA Division I women's golf programs to Columbus for the inaugural Haskins Foundation Women's Intercollegiate tournament in 2026.
Locally, John's impact has been equally significant. He served as Chairman of the Columbus Sports Council and contributed to the Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau, promoting community sports and tourism. His civic dedication extends beyond athletics: he has chaired the 1775 Society of the National Infantry Museum, led capital improvements as President of the Country Club of Columbus, and currently oversees historic preservation efforts through the 1909 Preservation Society. He also led the Columbus Charter Review Commission, guiding the 10-year review of the city-county charter.
Through his decades of unwavering service and visionary leadership, John Shinkle has elevated both the athletic and civic institutions of his community. His induction into the Hall of Fame stands as a testament to a lifetime of contributions that continue to inspire future generations.
Bobby Wright
A coaching icon, mentor, and pillar of the Phenix City athletic community, Bobby Wright has spent nearly five decades building a legacy of excellence on the field, on the court, and in the lives of countless student-athletes.
A standout basketball player at Buena Vista High School (Class of 1970), Bobby went on to play collegiate basketball at Fort Valley State University, where he earned his B.S. in 1974. He began his coaching career shortly after, making an immediate impact at Carver High School before beginning his transformative tenure at Central High School in 1977.
Over a 44-year career at Central High, Bobby served in multiple roles that shaped the school's athletic success. As Assistant Football Coach (1977–2012) and later Defensive Coordinator (1987–2013), his defenses recorded 59 shutouts and held opponents to an average of just 10.8 points per game across 26 seasons. But it was as Head Basketball Coach (1989–2021) that he etched his name into Alabama high school sports history—amassing an extraordinary 675–223 record (75.11% win percentage), winning 19 Area Championships, 7 Regional Titles, and making 7 Final Four appearances, including State Runner-Up finishes in 1999 and 2016.
Beyond the sidelines, Bobby played a key role in athletic administration, serving as Phenix City Schools' Athletic Director (1998–2020) and teaching and coaching in the school system for over 44 years. He served on multiple AHSAA committees and was a dedicated member of the Alabama High School Athletic Directors & Coaches Association (AHSADC) for over four decades. He also founded Bobby Wright's Fundamental Basketball Camps, mentoring youth athletes from 1991 to 2021.
Coach Wright's leadership and achievements have been widely recognized. He is a 7-time All Bi-City Coach of the Year, the 2016 NFHS Alabama State & South Sectional Coach of the Year, and a 2020 AHSAA Black History Month Honoree, recognized alongside his wife, Coach Carolyn Wright. The pair were also featured by WRBL as Alabama's winningest husband-wife coaching duo, a testament to their shared impact on high school athletics.
Respected, decorated, and deeply influential, Bobby Wright's career is marked not just by wins, but by the generations of student-athletes, coaches, and colleagues who have been shaped by his example of discipline, integrity, and commitment.
Carolyn Wright
A trailblazer in coaching and education, Carolyn Wright has spent over four decades shaping the lives of young athletes through excellence, discipline, and unwavering commitment. From her early days as a student-athlete to her storied coaching career, Carolyn's legacy is one of inspiration and impact.
A graduate of Tuskegee Institute High School (1974), Carolyn excelled in cheerleading and volleyball. She continued her athletic and academic journey at Alabama State University, where she competed in volleyball, track, and cheerleading—earning both her B.S. (1978) and M.Ed. (1981) degrees.
Carolyn began her coaching career at McIntyre Junior High in Montgomery, Alabama, before launching a transformational 32-year career at Central High School in Phenix City (1991–2023). As Head Girls Track Coach (1991–2011) and Head Volleyball Coach (2002–2018), she amassed an impressive 593–375 record, winning 11 Area Titles, 4 Regional Titles, and making 4 Final Four appearances—cementing her reputation as one of the region's most respected coaches.
Beyond coaching, Carolyn served as Associate Athletic Director for Phenix City Schools (2012–2021) and contributed to state athletic leadership through the AHSAA, including roles on the Strategic Planning, Volleyball Coaches, All-Star, and District 4 Basketball Committees. She was twice selected to coach in the AHSAA North/South All-Star Game.
Deeply committed to her community, Carolyn organized youth charity events, skill camps, and founded the annual Mary Jane Riley Volleyball Tournament in 2015. Her leadership extended well beyond the court—she was named Teacher of the Year in 2018–2019 and received numerous honors including All Bi-City Coach of the Year, the SportsVision Legacy Award, and multiple resolutions from the Phenix City Council.
In 2020, Carolyn and her husband Bobby were jointly honored as AHSAA Hall of Fame inductees—a testament to their shared legacy in Alabama athletics.
With decades of service, championship leadership, and a heart for student-athletes, Carolyn Wright stands as a model of what it means to lead, teach, and inspire.
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