2026 Hall of Fame Inductees

Huntington University celebrated four standout individuals as the newest members of the Huntington Athletic Hall of Fame during its annual Hall of Fame Luncheon on Saturday, part of the 2026 Ness Bros. Hall of Fame Classic festivities.

This year’s inductees include Spencer Batt (men’s golf), Ryan Bonner (men’s golf), Ignacio Poncio (men’s tennis) and Pazia (Speed) Williams (women’s basketball).

“Our Hall of Fame inductees represent the very best of Forester athletics,” said Lori Culler, Athletic Director at Huntington University. “Their accomplishments, dedication, and lasting impact on our athletic programs and university community are something we take tremendous pride in. It was a special privilege to honor their legacy and celebrate all they’ve contributed to Huntington University.”

The inductees were honored and shared remarks during the Hall of Fame Luncheon before being recognized at halftime of the men’s basketball game inside Platt Arena.

Spencer Batt | Men’s Golf (2005–09)
A cornerstone of one of the most successful eras in Huntington University men’s golf history, Spencer Batt of New Haven, Indiana, distinguished himself through consistency, leadership and a commitment to excellence. One of just a handful of Foresters to earn at least three All-Conference honors, Batt was a fixture in Huntington’s scoring five throughout his four-year career.

Batt made an immediate impact, steadily establishing himself as one of the program’s most dependable performers. He posted a team-best 77.35 scoring average as a sophomore while earning NAIA All-Region Team recognition after firing a 224 at the 2007 NAIA Golf Regionals. His junior campaign saw the Foresters finish among the top four at every tournament, highlighted by three first-place finishes. Batt continued to elevate his game as a senior, delivering his career-best scoring average of 76.76 while helping Huntington capture three tournament championships.

Batt’s final season was particularly memorable, as he joined three fellow seniors in leading Huntington to an MCC Championship, one of only seven conference titles in program history. The Foresters showcased their resilience and experience in dramatic fashion, overcoming a five-stroke deficit entering the final round to claim the championship by seven strokes. The victory marked Huntington’s first conference title since 1991 and secured the program’s first-ever berth to the NAIA National Championships. Competing on the national stage for the first time, the Foresters finished an impressive 23rd in the country, cementing their place in program history.

Batt graduated from Huntington University in 2009 with a degree in Business Management. He currently serves as president of American Specialty Insurance in Roanoke. He and his wife, Christen, also a Huntington alum, have three children, Lola, Graham and Olivia.

Through his remarkable consistency, national recognition, leadership and contributions to a historic championship season, Batt helped elevate Forester golf to new heights, earning him a well-deserved place in the Huntington University Athletic Hall of Fame.

Ryan Bonner | Men’s Golf (2005–09)
A key contributor to one of the most accomplished stretches in Huntington University men’s golf history, Ryan Bonner of Liberty Center, Ohio, helped establish the Foresters as a force in collegiate golf. A three-time All-Conference performer, Bonner was a steady presence in Huntington’s scoring five throughout his career, consistently delivering performances that helped propel the program forward.

Bonner’s impact was evident from the outset, and his junior season proved especially rewarding as the Foresters finished among the top four at every tournament while capturing three tournament championships. He continued to play a pivotal role as a senior, recording a career-best 77.00 scoring average and helping Huntington collect another three tournament titles.

Known for his ability to unleash powerful drives off the tee, Bonner brought an intimidating combination of distance and consistency to the Forester lineup, making him an integral part of the team’s success.

Bonner’s senior campaign culminated in a historic achievement, as he and three fellow seniors guided Huntington to an MCC Championship, one of only seven conference crowns in program history. The Foresters delivered a memorable comeback in the tournament, erasing a five-stroke deficit entering the final round before securing the title by seven strokes.

Huntington’s first conference championship since 1991 earned the program its inaugural berth to the NAIA National Championships, where the Foresters finished 23rd nationally.

Bonner’s power was also on full display on the national stage, as he captured the longest-drive competition during pre-tournament festivities at the NAIA National Championships. His remarkable 373-yard blast traveled 23 yards farther than his closest competitor, providing a fitting showcase of the tremendous distance that distinguished his game.

Bonner graduated from Huntington in 2009 with a degree in Business Management and a minor in Mathematics. He currently serves as vice president at Marketing Diversified Services in Fort Wayne. He and his wife, Jessica, also a Huntington alum, have two children, Braelyn and Harrison.

Through his consistency, competitive excellence, tremendous power and contributions to a landmark championship season, Bonner helped usher in one of the defining eras of Forester golf, earning him a well-deserved place in the Huntington University Athletic Hall of Fame.

Ignacio Poncio | Men’s Tennis (Player & Coach)
A distinguished player and architect of one of the NAIA’s premier men’s tennis programs, Ignacio Poncio has made an indelible mark on Huntington University tennis both as a student-athlete and head coach.

As a player, Poncio earned All-Conference honors all four years of his career, a distinction achieved by only five players in program history. After beginning his collegiate career at No. 2 singles, he ascended to the top spot in the Forester lineup for his final three seasons, helping fuel a dramatic turnaround. Following a four-win freshman campaign, Huntington averaged 11 victories per season during his remaining tenure while steadily climbing the Crossroads League standings, including consecutive third-place finishes. Poncio capped his playing career by going undefeated on Klopfenstein Courts during his senior season and earned two NAIA Scholar-Athlete honors for his excellence in the classroom.

Poncio’s impact on the program has only grown since taking the reins as head coach. In seven seasons, he has compiled an impressive 89-41 record, translating to a 68.5 winning percentage, while establishing Huntington as a perennial contender on the national stage. His Foresters have made consecutive appearances in the NAIA National Tournament, including advancing past Oakland City in the opening round this past spring. The 2025-26 campaign proved particularly historic, as HU climbed to No. 4 in the ITA national rankings and No. 10 in the NAIA polls before capturing the Crossroads League regular-season championship with an undefeated league record – the program’s first title since 2014.

Under Poncio’s leadership, Forester athletes have garnered 19 All-Conference selections, five NAIA All-America honors and the 2026 Crossroads League Player of the Year award earned by Julian Tantera. His accomplishments have also been recognized individually, as he was named both Crossroads League Coach of the Year and NAIA East Region Coach of the Year in 2026.

A 2019 magna cum laude graduate of Huntington, Poncio earned a double major in Business Management and Marketing. He currently serves as the senior manager of retail growth and strategy with CVS while also co-founder of NUP Media.

Through his exceptional achievements as a player, his sustained success as a coach and his unwavering commitment to advancing Forester tennis, Poncio exemplifies the excellence and legacy celebrated by the Huntington University Athletic Hall of Fame.

Pazia (Speed) Williams | Women’s Basketball (2010–14)
A dynamic 5-7 guard from Portland, Indiana, Pazia (Speed) Williams left an enduring legacy on the Huntington University women’s basketball program through her scoring prowess, versatility and leadership. A four-year standout, Williams ranks 13th on HU’s all-time scoring list with 1,469 career points while helping guide the Foresters to an impressive 81-44 record and two appearances in the NAIA National Tournament.

Williams made an immediate impact as a freshman, averaging 6.7 points and 3.6 rebounds per game while earning MCC All-Freshmen Team honors. Her production steadily increased throughout her career, averaging double figures in each of her final three seasons and saving her best for last. As a senior, she poured in 16.9 points per game, totaling 559 points to rank 24th nationally. She also finished 32nd in the nation in free throw percentage at 81.9 percent while ranking among the national leaders in assists and scoring average.

Her senior campaign was a memorable one, as Williams earned First Team All-Conference and Second Team NAIA All-American recognition while helping lead Huntington to a 24-9 record and a Sweet 16 appearance at the NAIA National Tournament. A true all-around performer, she contributed 3.7 assists and 3.6 rebounds per game, showcasing a well-rounded game that extended far beyond scoring.

Williams concluded her Forester career with 1,469 points, 396 rebounds and 316 assists, establishing herself as one of the most accomplished and versatile players in program history. Her ability to impact the game at every level made her an integral part of Huntington’s success throughout her four seasons in green and white.

Williams graduated from HU in 2014 with a degree in education and currently works at East Elementary. She and her husband, Heath, reside in her hometown of Portland, Indiana, with their children, Zander and Zoey.

Her remarkable scoring accomplishments, all-around excellence and contributions to a championship-caliber era of Forester basketball have earned Williams a well-deserved place in the Huntington University Athletic Hall of Fame.