Ernie Shelby and Lynette Woodard Honored as 2026 Marian E. Washington Trailblazers

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas Athletics announced Friday that Ernest "Ernie" Shelby and Lynette Woodard have been named the 2026 honorees for Marian E. Washington Trailblazer Series.

In honor of Black History Month, Kansas Athletics recognizes the notable achievements and accomplishments of African-Americans who have helped shape the Jayhawk program throughout the years by creating the Marian E. Washington Trailblazer Series. The series began 2020 and each February, this endeavor chronicles several prominent African-Americans and their impact on Kansas Athletics.

See below for more information on Ernie Shelby and Lynette Woodard.

Ernest "Ernie" Shelby | Los Angeles, Calif. | Track and Field | 1957–59

Competed in track and field at KU, specializing in the long jump and emerging as one of the nation's top collegiate athletes.
Recorded a personal-best long jump of 7.95 meters on June 22, 1956; also jumped an unofficial 8.01 meters on March 28, 1958, which was not record-eligible.
Won national championships in the long jump in 1958 and 1959.
Became the first African American captain of KU's men's track and field team in 1959, leading the Jayhawks to the NCAA outdoor national championship.
Actively engaged in racial equity efforts on campus and in Lawrence, Kan., participating in challenges to segregation at local businesses in 1957 and 1958.
Pursued interests in the arts after his athletic career, including jazz composition and singing, according to alumni accounts.
Left a lasting legacy at KU through elite athletic performance, leadership and advocacy for social change during the late 1950s civil rights era.

Lynette Woodard | Wichita, Kan. | Women's Basketball | 1978-1981

Played women's basketball at KU from 1978–81, becoming one of the most dominant players in collegiate history.
Finished her KU career as the all-time leading scorer in women's college basketball history at the time with 3,649 points.
Earned four All-America honors and led KU to the AIAW national championship game in 1981.
Won the Wade Trophy in 1981 as the nation's top women's college basketball player.
Became the first woman named Kansas Female Athlete of the Year.
Made history in 1984 as the first woman to play on a U.S. Olympic women's basketball team, helping Team USA win gold at the Los Angeles Games.
Broke another barrier in 1985 as the first female member of the Harlem Globetrotters.
Advocated for women's sports and gender equity, expanding opportunities for girls and women in athletics.
Built a legacy at KU defined by excellence, leadership and her role in advancing women's athletics during the post–Title IX era.

Marian E. Washington Trailblazer Series Honorees

2026 – Ernie Shelby (track & field), Lynette Woodard (basketball)
2025 – Darnell Valentine (basketball), Erika Oliver (rowing)
2024 – Vickie Adkins (basketball), Isaac "Bud" Stallworth (basketball)
2023 – Angela Aycock (basketball), Kelsie Payne (volleyball), Breonna Barker (swimming), Halcon "Tudie" MacKnight (track & field), Walt Wesley (basketball)
2022 – Nikki (Wahle) Barrett (soccer), Tamecka Dixon (basketball), Ed Harvey (football/baseball), Maurice King (basketball)
2021 – Adrian Mitchell-Newell (basketball), Homer Floyd (football), Gloria Graves (softball), LaVannes Squires (basketball)
2020 – Marian E. Washington (coach), John McLendon (coach), Curtis McClinton (football), Stanley Redwine (coach)

University of Kansas Athletics

Ernie Shelby and Lynette Woodard Honored as 2026 Marian E. Washington Trailblazers

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