Two first-team All-Americans, an American League Most Valuable Player and a man who chronicled many of their exploits comprise the Class of 2025 for the Mobile Sports Hall of Fame.
Former football standouts Mark Barron (Alabama) and Rodney Hudson (Florida State), baseball star Josh Donaldson (Auburn) and noted sports writer Ivan Maisel will be inducted May 6 at the Mitchell Center on the campus of the University of South Alabama. For the second straight year, the Mobile Sports Hall of Fame is sharing its induction banquet with the annual First Light Community Football Preview dinner.
“We’re excited about our 2025 class for the Mobile Sports Hall of Fame,” said Peter Albrecht, Mobile Sports Hall of Fame president. “I think it’s just a great class with three people who really distinguished themselves on the field of play and one who has contributed to sports in a great way off the field of play.”
Mark Barron, shown here in 2019 with the Pittsburgh Steelers, is a member of the Class of 2025 for the Mobile Sports Hall of Fame. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)AP
Barron won a state championship at Mobile’s St. Paul’s Episcopal School before joining the Alabama program under coach Nick Saban in 2009. He was a three-time All-SEC and two-time All-America safety and helped the Crimson Tide to three national championships before spending nine years (2012-20) with four teams in the NFL. Among other accolades, Barron earned All-Rookie honors with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and played in a Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams.
Rodney Hudson, shown here in 2020 with the Las Vegas Raiders, is a member of the Class of 2025 for the Mobile Sports Hall of Fame. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)AP
Hudson starred at B.C. Rain High School before winning a starting job on the offensive line at Florida State as a true freshman in 2007. He was a three-time All-ACC pick and two-time All-American before playing 12 seasons (2011-22) at center with three teams in the NFL. Hudson played in 157 career games and was named to three Pro Bowls with the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders.
Josh Donaldson, shown here in 2022 with the New York Yankees, is a member of the Class of 2025 for the Mobile Sports Hall of Fame. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)AP
Donaldson starred in multiple sports at Mobile’s Faith Academy before playing baseball at Auburn from 2005-07. He played 14 seasons (2010-23) with seven different clubs in the major leagues, including the Toronto Blue Jays, Oakland Athletics, Atlanta Braves and New York Yankees. Donaldson made three All-Star teams, won two Silver Slugger Awards, claimed the American League MVP award with Toronto in 2015 and was named Comeback Player of the Year with Atlanta in 2019.
Sports writer Ivan Maisel is a member of the Class of 2025 for the Mobile Sports Hall of Fame. (Mike Kittrell/AL.com)
Maisel, a Murphy High School and Stanford University graduate, spent more than 40 years as an award-winning college football writer for outlets such as the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Dallas Morning News, Orlando Sentinel, Sports Illustrated, ESPN and On3 before retiring from full-time journalism in 2023. In 2021, he published a memoir about his relationship with his late son, Max, entitled I Keep Trying to Catch His Eye. Maisel is currently working on a biography of famed Notre Dame coach Frank Leahy.
Donaldson was on-hand for Monday’s announcement, while Barron and Hudson were unable to attend. Barron was represented by his mother, Michelle, and sister, Michelee, while Hudson was represented by his uncle, Charles Henderson.
Donaldson said he is especially thrilled to be joining his high school coach, Lloyd Skoda, as a member of the Mobile Sports Hall of Fame.
“That’s special,” Donaldson said. “I know how special Coach Skoda is and what he meant to me and not just myself but many other men throughout their lives, and not just from a baseball perspective but from a life perspective. So to be able to join him and obviously the amount of success that he’s had in this area from the high school standpoint, is incredible.
“It is special for me to be able to join him in this Hall of Fame, for sure.”
Maisel, also unable to attend the announcement, released the following statement upon learning of his induction:
“Twenty-five years ago, I attended the induction of my father Herman Maisel into the Mobile Sports Hall of Fame. Joining him in the Hall barely even qualified as a dream. My travels covering college football for more than four decades took me to every major stadium in the nation and more than a few minor ones.
“Through the years, I maintained my connection to my hometown. My extended family is there. My heart is there. That’s why this is so meaningful. I am delighted to be the second member of the Murphy High Class of 1977 in the Hall, joining my late friend Mardye McDole.
“Thank you to the Mobile Sports Hall of Fame for the honor of a lifetime.”
The 2025 Mobile Sports Hall of Fame banquet and 32nd Annual First Light Community of Mobile Football Preview dinner takes place at 6 p.m. on May 6 at the Mitchell Center. In addition to the four inductees, South Alabama football coach Major Applewhite, Alabama radio play-by-play announcer Chris Stewart and other special guests are scheduled to appear.
Tickets are on sale for $70 each, with addition sponsorship opportunities also available. For ticket, table and sponsorship information, contact Marty O’Malley at marty@firstlightcommunity.org, or Carol Hunter at chunter@downtownmobile.org.
First Light Community of Mobile (formerly known as L’Arche), states as its mission that men and women with and without intellectual disabilities share life. The organization operates six homes and an activity center in the Mobile area. For more information, visit FirstLightCommunity.org.