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Conference USA Announces 2024 Hall of Fame Class

DALLAS – 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.
 
Meet the CUSA Hall of Fame Class of 2024
 
Kevin Byard is the first student-athlete honoree from Middle Tennessee, as well as the first defensive football player to be inducted. Jareica Hughes (UTEP) and Jessica Kuster (Rice) become the fourth and fifth women’s basketball players to join the CUSA Hall of Fame. Hughes, currently an assistant coach with the Miners, is UTEP’s third Hall of Fame selection. Kuster becomes the fifth CUSA Hall of Fame member from Rice. Also joining the 41 current members of the CUSA Hall of Fame is Dean Hayes, Middle Tennessee’s legendary track coach of 57 years and pioneer, who passed away in January 2022.
 
“It's an honor to celebrate the induction of our 2024 Hall of Fame class, each member having made a significant impact on their respective sports and the history of our league,” said Judy MacLeod, Conference USA Commissioner. “Their remarkable achievements and contributions have left a legacy, and we are excited to recognize them as our sixth Hall of Fame class. We appreciate their dedication and excellence, and we look forward to highlighting their stories and invaluable contributions to our conference.
 
The league’s Hall of Fame Committee selects the nominees, and the league’s Athletics Directors serve as the voting panel for the CUSA Hall of Fame. The inaugural class was introduced in 2019 with 20 student-athletes, three coaches and two administrators. Current and future CUSA Hall of Fame class size will be a minimum of one inductee and a maximum of five inductees per year. 
 
2024 CONFERENCE USA HALL OF FAME CLASS
 
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 MT 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
  • Byard’s 15 CUSA interceptions ties for the fourth most (Byard’s 19 interceptions would be the career record in CUSA but four of his picks came in 2012 when MTSU was not a league member)
  • During his Blue Raider career, he was heavily involved in community efforts, always taking the time to give back
  • MTSU retired his number 20
  • The Tennessee Titans selected Byard 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. He played for Philadelphia in 2023 and is now 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 (2011-2014)
  • 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)
  • Played professionally overseas from 2014-22
 
Dean Hayes, Middle Tennessee Track & Field/Cross Country Head Coach (2014-2021)
  • 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
 
About Conference USA
Conference USA is an NCAA Division I conference championing success in college athletics through dedicated leadership, dynamic partnership, and diverse membership. Founded in 1995 and based in Dallas, CUSA is home to 10 schools: FIU, Jacksonville State, Kennesaw State, Liberty, Louisiana Tech, Middle Tennessee, New Mexico State, Sam Houston, UTEP, and WKU. Delaware and Missouri State begin competition in 2025.
 
-ConferenceUSA.com-