Stipe Miocic Leads 2026 Croatian American Sports Hall of Fame Induction Class

Two-time UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic will headline the 2026 class of the Croatian American Sports Hall of Fame, joining seven other prominent athletes who will be honored at the organization’s third induction ceremony this fall in Ohio.

The Croatian American Sports Hall of Fame (CAS-HOF) will hold its 3rd Induction Ceremony and Banquet on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 6 p.m. at the American Croatian Lodge in Eastlake, Ohio. The event will recognize eight Croatian American athletes whose careers span mixed martial arts, bodybuilding, football, baseball and basketball. Miocic, the son of Croatian immigrants, is one of the most successful heavyweight fighters in UFC history. A two-time UFC heavyweight champion, he is widely recognized for his achievements in mixed martial arts and has remained one of the most prominent Croatian American athletes on the international sports stage.

Joining Miocic in the 2026 class is Meri Abbado, a two-time Masters World Champion in bodybuilding; Fred Arbanas, a six-time All-AFL football selection; Gary Beban, winner of the 1967 Heisman Trophy; Bobby Grich, a six-time Major League Baseball All-Star and four-time Gold Glove winner; Jack Marin, a two-time NBA All-Star known during his career as “Mr. Consistency”; Rob Ninkovich, a two-time Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots; and Boston Red Sox icon Johnny Pesky, who spent decades with the organization as a player, manager and broadcaster.

Eight sporting careers, one shared Croatian heritage

CAS-HOF Chairman Steve Rukavina said the 2026 class represents one of the most accomplished groups inducted by the organization to date.

“This 2026 induction class is among the most accomplished in our history,” Rukavina said. “From world champions to Heisman Trophy winners and Hall of Famers, these Croatian American sports legends will be inducted that evening — a night that honors not only their extraordinary careers, but the heritage that shaped them.”

Emmy Award-winning sports broadcaster Jerome Jurenovich will serve as Master of Ceremonies for the evening. The Croatian American Sports Hall of Fame was created to recognize athletes of Croatian heritage who have made significant contributions to American and international sports while also highlighting the role of Croatian heritage within the broader Croatian American community.

Tickets now available for October ceremony

Tickets for the October 24 event are now on sale through the Croatian American Sports Hall of Fame website. Individual tickets are priced at $100, while a table for eight costs $750. Admission includes a family-style dinner with three entrée selections and an open bar.

Organizers are encouraging supporters, former teammates, members of the Croatian American community and the general public to reserve their seats in advance, noting that tables for previous ceremonies have sold out ahead of the event.

Out-of-town guests can also access a discounted hotel rate of $139 per night for Friday and Saturday at the Four Points by Sheraton Eastlake. The special rate is available through September 23.

Additional information about tickets, sponsorship opportunities and program advertising is available at croatianamericansports.com.

The October ceremony will bring together several generations of Croatian American sporting achievement, from championship fighters and professional football players to Major League Baseball and NBA standouts, while celebrating the Croatian heritage shared by the eight members of the 2026 induction class.

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