hall of fame Class of 2024

Conference USA is proud to introduce its 2024 Hall of Fame class, consisting of four distinguished individuals who have made significant contributions to their respective sports and to the history of the league. This year’s inductees include three exceptional student-athletes and one esteemed coach from three different sports and institutions.

cusa hall of fame

CLASS OF 2024

student-athlete inductees

kevin byard

middle tennessee

Football (2012-15)

  • First Team All-CUSA in 2014 and 2015, while earning FWAA Freshman All-American honors in 2012
  • Middle Tennessee’s all-time leader in interceptions (19), interception return yards (377) and interception touchdowns (4)
  • Blue Raiders were bowl eligible all four years when Byard played, and team went 23-9 in CUSA games
  • In 49 career games played he forced or gained 25 turnovers (19 INTs, 5 FF, 1 FR)
  • One of just nine players all-time at MTSU to total over 300 career tackles
  • Played in 49 career games and had 46 starts (played 3,619 total snaps)
  • Was voted a Permanent Team Captain in 2015
  • Led CUSA with six interceptions in 2014 and ranked seventh nationally
  • During his Blue Raider career, he was heavily involved in community efforts, always taking the time to give back
  • MTSU retired his number 20
  • Selected by the Tennessee Titans with the first pick of the third round in the 2016 NFL Draft, and he is now considered one of the top safeties in the NFL. Following his second season, during which he tied for the NFL lead in interceptions (eight) and led the NFL in total takeaways (10), he was named first team Associated Press All-Pro and earned his first Pro Bowl berth. From 2017 through 2019, no player had more interceptions than Byard, who totaled 17. In 2020, Byard was named the team’s Walter Payton Man of the Year for his work in the community and in 2021 he earned his second Pro Bowl appearance.
  • Played for Philadelphia in 2023 and is currently playing with the Chicago Bears

jareica hughes

utep

Women's Basketball (2006-10)

  • Two-time CUSA Player of the Year (2008-09, 2007-08), earned All-Conference honors all four years: First Team All-CUSA in 2008-09 and 2007-08; Second Team All-CUSA in 2009-10; Third Team All-CUSA in 2006-07
  • Led UTEP to an undefeated 16-0 conference season, a 28-4 overall mark and the school’s first NCAA Tournament appearance
  • 2007 Conference USA Freshman of the Year
  • Helped the Miners to 84 victories in her four seasons
  • Owns school records for assists (599), steals (277) and minutes (3,777) while ranking second in scoring (1,555 pts)
  • Played overseas for two seasons in Europe for the Lider Pruszkow in Poland. A shoulder injury deterred her professional career and she later flourished as a Professional Trainer, Coach, and Mentor.
  • Has been coaching basketball at various levels since 2017 and is currently an assistant coach on the UTEP women’s basketball staff

jessica kuster

rice

Women's Basketball (2011-14)

  • Only player in CUSA history to be named to both the First-Team All-Conference and the All-Defensive Team all four seasons
  • Associated Press All-American Honorable Mention in 2013-14
  • 2012-13 CUSA Defensive Player and 2010-11 CUSA Freshman of the Year
  • Rice all-time leading scorer (women or men) with 2,081 points
  • CUSA and Rice all-time leader in rebounds (1,376)
  • Helped Rice to a pair of postseason tournaments (2012 WBI, 2011 WNIT)

coach inductee

dean hayes

middle tennessee

Track & Field/Cross Country (1937-2022)

  • Is a member of eight Hall of Fames (Blue Raider, Illinois Sports, Tennessee Sports, Mason-Dixon Athletic Club, USTFCCCA, Lake Forest College, Naperville, Ohio Valley)
  • 35 Coach of the Year Awards (four in Conference USA)
  • 59 Conference Championships (11 in Conference USA – 6 women, five men)
  • His student-athletes won 87 Conference USA individual titles and his Blue Raider teams were awarded Athlete of the Year awards 13 times during CUSA Track and Field Competition during Hayes’ tenure at the program’s helm.
  • 125 All-American Awards among 52 student-athletes (29 All-American Awards in CUSA)
  • Has coached in numerous national and international events including the Seoul Summer Olympics, World Cup, World Championships, Goodwill Games, World University Games