NORFOLK, Va. – Former North Carolina Central men's tennis standout Riccardo T. Jones has been named to the 2026 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Hall of Fame class. Jones is one of five inductees and will be the only Eagle enshrined on March 12 during the week of the 2026 MEAC Basketball Tournament in Norfolk, Va.
"On behalf of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, I extend my sincere congratulations to the five inductees of our 2026 Hall of Fame class," said Commissioner Sonja Stills. "The MEAC Hall of Fame stands as a tribute to careers marked by excellence, dedication and impact, both on and off the field. These honorees embody the proud traditions and values of the MEAC, and their legacies will continue to inspire future generations of MEAC student-athletes."
Jones competed for the Maroon & Gray from 1972-75. Jones was an instant leader for the Eagles, playing No.1 singles during his career, steering NCCU to four consecutive MEAC Championships.
The Durham, N.C. native won three straight MEAC Individual Championships at the No.1 singles position. Jones achieved an undefeated record against conference opponents throughout his time at NC Central, falling only in the 1975 MEAC Championship match in his senior season. Jones also won three straight conference doubles championships in the No.1 doubles slot.
Alongside his on-court performance, Jones handled business in the classroom, garnering Academic All-American recognition as a double-major in chemistry and biology. Jones would go on to study dentistry and now runs a private practice in Maryland.
Jones was also inducted into the NCCU Alex M. Rivera Athletics Hall of Fame in 2014.
The MEAC Hall of Fame highlights former student-athletes, coaches, university and conference administrators, and notable contributors who have enriched the conference's legacy since its inception in 1970. Enshrinees are selected by an eight-person committee of administrators and member institution representatives. There have been 173 individuals enshrined in the MEAC Hall of Fame to date.
Joining Jones in the 2026 MEAC Hall of Fame are Sandra Booker (Bethune-Cookman), Khalil Rmidi Kinini (Maryland-Eastern Shore), Kendall Langford (Hampton) and Tywain McKee (Coppin State).
Tickets are available for purchase for the induction ceremony taking place at the Norfolk Marriott Waterside Hotel on Thursday, March 12. Fans may purchase individual tickets for $65 or a table of eight for $500. Tickets can be purchased HERE.
For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com.
