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Eight more Tiger legends have officially taken their place in Grambling State University history. Grambling State University celebrated eight outstanding former student-athletes earlier this month, inducting them into the prestigious Grambling Legends Sports Hall of Fame. Representing multiple sports and generations of Tiger excellence, the Class of 2026 was honored for the achievements and lasting impact each inductee made while helping build one of the richest athletic traditions in HBCU history.
This year’s class included Reginald Baldwin and Aaron Randall representing baseball; Paul Haynes representing men’s basketball; Leonard Griffin, Gilad Landau, and Dr. Roderick Henderson representing football; Robin Foster representing softball; and Lennox Yearwood representing track and field. Although Baldwin and Landau were unable to attend, the remaining six inductees reflected on their Grambling journeys during a press conference inside before being formally honored during an induction ceremony.
Reginald Baldwin – Baseball
Reginald Baldwin built an impressive baseball career under legendary head coach Ralph Waldo Emerson Jones and assistant coach Wilbert Ellis. A four-year starter, Baldwin earned All-Southwestern Athletic Conference honors while compiling a remarkable record. 375 career batting average. He was named the team’s Most Valuable Player in 1976 after earning National Amateur Baseball Congress All-American honors the previous season.
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His collegiate success led to his selection by the Houston Astros in the 1976 MLB Draft, where he spent two seasons before a shoulder injury cut his professional career short. Baldwin later transitioned into the corporate world with IBM, earning national recognition before answering the call to ministry and co-founding Antioch International Ministries, where he continues to serve communities across the country.
Aaron Randall – Baseball
Like Baldwin, Aaron Randall left an unforgettable mark on Grambling baseball. A three-year starter from 1971 to 1974, Randall earned All-SWAC honors while balancing athletics with academic success as an Honor Roll student-athlete.
His stellar play earned him a selection by the Chicago Cubs, leading to a six-year professional baseball career that included championship teams and multiple MVP honors. Following baseball, Randall dedicated 28 years to the Florida Department of Corrections while remaining deeply involved in community leadership, mentoring, and youth development.
During the press conference, Randall proudly reflected on the institution that shaped his life.
“I love Grambling so much,” Randall said. “I talk about Grambling each and every day. I am proud of the time that I was here at Grambling under the tutelage of Grambling President and Head Baseball Coach Ralph Waldo Emerson Jones. We called him ‘Prez.’ Beyond him was the man who took care of me, then-assistant coach and later head coach and College Baseball Hall of Fame coach Wilbert Ellis.”
Leonard Griffin – Football
Leonard Griffin anchored Grambling’s defense from 1981 to 1985, finishing his collegiate career with 164 tackles and 25.5 sacks. His dominance earned him selection in the third round of the 1986 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs, where he played 103 games.
Following his NFL career, Griffin returned to Grambling as a coach before transitioning into education, where he has served as both an administrator and mentor.
Gilad Landau – Football
Native of Israel, Gilad Landau became one of Grambling’s most accomplished kickers from 1991 to 1994. He set school records in field goals and extra points while earning Academic All-American honors twice.
Landau also received the prestigious Ernie Davis Award, recognizing his perseverance, resilience, and ability to overcome adversity throughout his collegiate career.
Dr. Roderick Henderson – Football
Playing under head coach Eddie Robinson, Dr. Roderick Henderson earned All-American honors and helped lead Grambling State to the 1992 Black college national championship.
While excelling on the football field, Henderson also prioritized academics before pursuing advanced degrees in educational leadership. He has since built an accomplished career in education, serving as a superintendent and leading significant improvements in student achievement, infrastructure, and district performance.
“When I think about Grambling, two words come to mind,” Henderson said. “Those two words are ‘thankful’ and ‘grateful.’Grambling has always had a place in my heart since I was a child, and I always had the desire to play for one of the greatest coaches ever, and we all know that’s Coach Eddie Robinson. And when that opportunity came to me, I was blessed.”
Paul Haynes – Men’s Basketball
Paul Haynes enjoyed one of the most decorated basketball careers in recent Grambling history. Playing from 2000 to 2004, he earned SWAC Freshman of the Year and SWAC Player of the Year honors before becoming a three-time All-SWAC First Team selection.
Haynes finished his career with 1,958 points and 849 rebounds while earning USA Today Honorable Mention All-American and ESPN Academic All-American recognition. Following professional basketball, he launched a successful sports psychology business while continuing to mentor young athletes through camps and community outreach.
Robin Foster – Softball
Robin Foster made history as a member of Grambling State’s first women’s softball team from 1983 to 1986. A team captain and standout student-athlete, Foster balanced athletic success with academic excellence while majoring in therapeutic recreation.
After graduation, she devoted more than 30 years to coaching and mentoring young people through sports, leadership development, and life-skills programming.
During the ceremony, Foster paid tribute to fellow Grambling legend Pat Bibbs for establishing the university’s softball program.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better coach who started the program under not the best situations,” Foster said. “It wasn’t a walk in the park. When you’re starting a team, it’s not a cakewalk, but we learned to hit with the four bats that we had and the few balls that we tore up by hitting them so much. We didn’t have a field, so we practiced on the grass by the tennis court. We had T-shirts and shorts, as our first uniforms weren’t truly uniforms. Those came later.”
Lennox Yearwood – Track and Field
Lennox Yearwood served as captain of Grambling’s track and field team while also representing Trinidad and Tobago at the 1968 Olympic Games.
His accomplishments extended far beyond athletics. Yearwood earned both a Ph.D. and a Juris Doctor before building distinguished careers in academia, law, and public service. Throughout his journey, he has remained committed to mentoring students and expanding opportunities for future generations.
“For me, Grambling is more than a university,” Yearwood said. “Grambling is life. And the beauty of life are the humans here, then and now. Coming to Grambling was the best thing to ever happen to me.”
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