LIVINGSTON, Ala. - The University of West Alabama Athletic Department announced Penny Dew, Jim Berryman, Bobbie Jo Cater Hancock, Joe D'Alessandris, Keef Pettis, and Nestor Vargas as the six inductees of the UWA Athletics Hall of Fame, Class of 2026.
All six recipients will be officially inducted on Saturday, November 7 before the Tigers take on Monroe at 1:00 p.m. as a part of Hall of Fame Weekend. The induction ceremony will take place at a breakfast event before the game. More details on the induction ceremony will be released soon for those who are interested in attending.
"This year's Hall of Fame inductees embody the tradition of excellence that defines UWA Athletics," said Director of Athletics Brett Gilliland. "Their achievements have helped shape the proud legacy of our university, but their influence reaches far beyond competition. Each has demonstrated the character, perseverance, and commitment that it means to be a UWA Tiger, and we are honored to recognize their accomplishments and the impact they continue to have on UWA and beyond."
Penny Dew - Administration
Dew can be described as the 'glue' that keeps the Athletic Department together. Serving as the Special Assistant to the Athletic Director, Dew guides the department through many logistical and financial obstacles. She is also an integral part to the success of the UWA Tiger Club, spearheading Tiger Club events throughout the years. Dew has been a part of the West Alabama Athletic department for 35 years and continues to leave an indelible mark on the Department day in and day out.
Jim Berryman - Football
Berryman was a catalyst on West Alabama Football's 1971 National Championship team. Berryman played on the offensive line for the Tigers in 1971 and 1972 and led LU to an impressive 19-2-2 record over that two-year span. In 1971, the offensive lineman and the newly mended UWA Hall of Famer was named an All-American at the season's end. To round out his historic career, Berryman was named All-Alabama in 1972, staking claim to being one of the best offensive lineman in program history.
Bobbie Jo Cater Hancock - UWA Softball
Cater Hancock enters the UWA Hall of Fame after a distinguished career for West Alabama Softball. Cater Hancock served as the Tigers catcher from 1989-1992 and is widely regarded as one of the greatest catchers in UWA Softball history after guiding West Alabama to 124 wins over that stretch. The catcher was named to the All-GSC team in all four seasons, 1990 All-South Region team, and helped the Tigers capture three GSC Championships. In her career, Cater Hancock accumulated a .294 batting average, along with 185 career hits, while ranking fifth in program history in runs scored with 146 and fourth in career walks with 90.
Joe D'Alessandris - UWA Football
D'Alessandris is well known in the Football Coaching world as he's spent time in College Football, the Canadian Football League (CFL), The World League of American Football, and the National Football League (NFL). D'Alessandris coached on the Tigers staff from 1979-1983 under Head Coach Frank North. After his time in Livingston, D'Alessandris had stints at Memphis, Tennessee Chattanooga, Samford, Texas A&M, Pittsburg, Duke, Georgia Tech, before making his way to the NFL. In 2008, D'Alessandris became the Assistant Offensive Line Coach for the Chiefs until 2010 when he accepted the Offensive Line Coach position for the Buffalo Bills. In 2013, D'Alessandris accepted the same position for the Chargers, before being hired by the Ravens in 2017. In 2024, D'Alessandris sadly passed away 11 days before the season. D'Alessandris' legacy will forever be known in the coaching world and now cements his name in the UWA Hall of Fame.
Keef Pettis - UWA Baseball
Pettis was a standout pitcher for the Tigers in 1978-1981. The Right-Hander holds multiple school records that have continued to stand for 47 years and counting. In 1979, Pettis turned in one of the greatest seasons in school history. The Pitcher started 16 games, threw 115.0 innings, recording 22.2 consecutive scoreless innings within the season which all serves as school records. Along with this, Pettis holds the single-game school record in consecutive outs with 28 and consecutive scoreless innings pitched with 12.0. For his career, Pettis recorded 30 wins, 28 complete games, four complete game shutouts in 52 starts, holding the program record in all of those categories.
Nestor Vargas - UWA Men's Tennis
Vargas is proclaimed to be one of the top Men's Tennis players to ever grace the courts for the Tigers. Vargas competed from 2011-2014 and earned multiple prestigious awards. The newly mended UWA Hall of Famer is a singles and doubles All-American, a two-time All-GSC selection, and a member of the 2010-2019 GSC All-Decade Team. Throughout his career Varags accumulated 114 total wins, with 60 being singles wins and 54 being doubles victories. The tennis player was ranked as high as No. 15 in the country and is now a part of the UWA Hall of Fame.
