MIAMI — FIU Athletics announced its 2026 Hall of Fame Class on Thursday, enshrining six new members as the third-ever induction class. Carlos Arroyo '01 (men's basketball), Mike Becker '89 (track & field), Johanna Gustafsdottir '15 (swimming), Albert Lorenzo '74 (baseball & athletics contributor), Michele O'Brien '01 (women's soccer) and Nick Turnbull '05 (football) make up the FIU Athletic 2026 Hall of Fame Class.
This year's induction ceremonies will take place Friday-Saturday, Nov. 6-7, on campus, with the public welcome to attend. The induction banquet will kick off the weekend festivities on the evening of Nov. 6 from the Graham Center Ballroom before concluding with the class being recognized at the FIU football team's homecoming game versus Missouri State on Nov. 7.
Tables and individual seats are available to purchase for the induction banquet via FIUTickets.com. The deadline to purchase tickets is Wednesday, Nov. 4. Tables seat eight (8) and are $800, while individual seats are $125 and include an open bar, a three-course meal with surf & turf entree (vegetarian option available) and passed appetizers.
"We are thrilled to welcome another outstanding group of individuals into the FIU Athletics Hall of Fame as we celebrate our third class of inductees. These six individuals exemplify the excellence, dedication and Panther pride that have helped shape the history of FIU Athletics. We're also thrilled that this year's class includes individuals representing three programs not currently in our Hall of Fame," said FIU Athletics Director Scott Carr.
Each inductee has made a lasting impact on their respective program and on our university, and it will be a privilege to welcome them back to campus during Homecoming Weekend as we celebrate their incredible accomplishments and legacies. I'd also like to thank the Hall of Fame Committee members, who are faced with a challenging vote each year, for their dedication and thorough process."
Carlos Arroyo '01 - Men's Basketball (1997-01)
Arroyo, a two-time All-Sun Belt First Teamer, starred for the Panther basketball program during his time in Miami and still holds a slew of FIU records nearly 25 years later. The Fajardo, Puerto Rico native went on to play in the NBA for nine seasons from 2001-11 and is one of just two FIU Panthers (Raja Bell) to have accomplished that feat.
While at FIU, Arroyo set records, of which he still holds, for most points in a single game (39), most assists in a single game (13), most 20-point games in a single season (21) and most consecutive double-digit scoring games (37). For his career, Arroyo also holds the all-time mark for assists (459) and is second all-time in career points (1,601). Additionally, Arroyo's final season in 2000-01 is the top scoring season all-time as the senior guard racked up 616 points, the only 600-plus point season in FIU men's basketball history.
Arroyo was honored for his illustrious FIU career by having his jersey number (30) retired in 2007. Along with his prominent collegiate and professional career, the Puerto Rico native was also a standout for his country's national team, where his jersey number (7) is also retired by the Puerto Rican Basketball Federation. With Team Puerto Rico, he led his team to 12 international medals, including six Golds.
Mike Becker '89 - Cross Country / Track & Field & Administrator (1987-2006)
Becker, who spent 29 years coaching the FIU Cross Country and Track & Field programs, achieved unprecedented success during his time as a Panther. Along with his role as a highly-successful coach, Becker served as an Associate Athletic Director within the department, taking over a role overseeing Athletic Student Support Services in 1999.
As a coach, Becker guided more than 15 Division I/II All-Americans and four Olympians. His Panther squads won a total of seven conference championships, four on the men's side and three on the women's side. A native of Deer Park, N.Y., he earned seven Coach of the Year awards in 11 seasons as head coach.
Johanna Gustafsdottir '15 - Swimming (2011-15)
Gustafsdottir, a four-time NCAA Championships qualifier, closed her decorated career as a Panther as one of the top swimmers in program history. A native of Reykjavík, Iceland, Gustafsdottir was named the 2015 Conference USA (CUSA) Swimmer of the Year along with being named the 2014-15 Female Athlete of the Year from FIU.
At the Sun Belt Championships, she won five gold medals in two seasons as a freshman and sophomore, earning Sun Belt Swimmer of the Year honors in 2012. When FIU made its move to CUSA, Gustafsdottir's success continued as she won five combined gold medals as a junior and senior in 2014 and 2015. While in Miami, Gustafsdottir set new school records for the 100 & 200-free along with the 200-breast, 200-IM and 200-back.
Albert Lorenzo '74 - Baseball & Athletics Contributor
Lorenzo, a member of FIU's inaugural baseball team in 1973 and a part of FIU's first full graduating class in 1974, is a long-time supporter of FIU Athletics and its student-athletes. Raised in Hialeah, he has over 50 years of leadership, service, fundraising and philanthropy helping to advance FIU Athletics.
Known as a transformational donor, Lorenzo was recognized as the recipient of the FIU Athletics Torch Award in 2013 for his stewardship. He also provided leadership to FIU's Panther Club as one of its top fundraisers. Not only has Lorenzo provided guidance and backing to the Athletics Department, he has also played an integral part with FIU in the University realm. Lorenzo currently serves as a Board Member with FIU's Foundation, a position he has held since 2013, and also has been heavily involved in both the FIU Alumni Association and the President's Council.
Michele O'Brien '01 - Women's Soccer (1998-01)
O'Brien, FIU's most-decorated women's player to ever grace the Panther pitch, dazzled in her time in the Blue & Gold. She ended her career in Miami as the program's all-time record holder in goals (58) and points (134), records which still stand today. She was named a two-time Sun Belt Player of the Year as a junior and senior along with earning First Team All-Sun Belt both seasons.
A native of Plainview, N.Y., O'Brien enjoyed team success along with her individual accolades as she was a key member of the 2000 FIU squad that won both the Sun Belt Regular Season and Tournament Championships. O'Brien also received the Presidential Academic Athletic Award Medal in recognition of her outstanding career both on and off the field.
Nick Turnbull '05 - Football (2002-05)
Turnbull, a member of FIU's first-ever football team, established a standard for excellence in the Panther Football program. 'The Truth' ended his FIU career with a program-record 16 interceptions from his defensive back position and was named All-Sun Belt his senior season.
A native of Miami, Turnbull racked up 265 tackles for his career and had two seasons (2002, 2004) with five interceptions, of which is also the school record for most in a single season. Following his record-setting career at FIU, Turnbull became FIU's first-ever NFL player as a member of the Falcons, Bears and Bengals from 2006-08.
This third FIU Athletics Hall of Fame class was voted in by a committee of five members who account for more than 125 years of FIU Athletics experience. None of the committee members are current FIU employees, and they range from former student-athletes to past faculty/staff members to distinguished alumni.
Each of the members of the 2026 Class were nominated – a requirement for all FIU Athletics Hall of Fame members – and accepted their induction. Nominations can be submitted by clicking here or the link at the top of this release. For a complete list of criteria, please review the FIU Athletics Hall of Fame Constitution by clicking here.
The Hall of Fame nomination form will remain available for submissions year-round on FIUSports.com.
Originally created in 2005, the FIU Athletics Hall of Fame welcomed its inaugural class in November of 2006. Beginning with the 2025 Class, a new group will be voted in regularly to recognize those who have been instrumental in forging the history of FIU Athletics.
Class of 2025
Munga Eketebi – Men's Soccer
- 3x All-American, 1984 NCAA Division II National Champion
T.Y. Hilton – Football
- 4x NFL Pro Bowler, 2016 NFL Receiving Yards Leader
Karl Kremser – Men's Soccer
- 2x National Championship Head Coach, 324 Career Wins
Tayna Lawrence – Track & Field
- Olympic Gold Medalist, FIU's Most-Decorated Olympian
Cindy Russo – Women's Basketball
- 707 Career Wins, 9 NCAA Tournament Appearances
Class of 2006
Pat Bradley – Women's Golf
- World Golf Hall of Famer, 6x LPGA Major Champion
Mike Lowell – Baseball
- 4x MLB All-Star, 2x World Series Champion
Andrea Nagy – Women's Basketball
- 2x All-American, 2x NCAA Season Assist Leader
Dwight Stewart – Men's Basketball
- FIU's Only 2,000-Point Scorer
Judy Blucker – Coach/Administrator
- Established Women's Athletics at FIU
