WASHINGTON – The 2026 class of the Stafford H. "Pop" Cassell Hall of Fame includes four individuals whose contributions to American University Athletics span generations—as student-athletes, supporters, and champions of the department's growth.

Jack Cassell, a former men's soccer student-athlete and longtime chair of the AU Board of Trustees, and Alan Meltzer, a former wrestler and passionate supporter of the student-athlete experience, will be inducted as lifetime contributors. They are joined by Shelly Montgomery, a two-time Patriot League champion and All-American in field hockey, and Wilbert "Wil" Smith, a 1971 track and field champion whose sprint records stood for five decades.

All four will be formally inducted at a ceremony on Saturday, January 31, in the brand-new Alan and Amy Meltzer Center for Athletic Performance. The Meltzer Center is set to open officially in January of 2026.

"We are honored to welcome this meaningful and well-rounded class into the Pop Cassell Hall of Fame," said Director of Athletics and Recreation JM Caparro. "Jack and Alan have helped shape the future of AU Athletics through their leadership, generosity, and long-standing connection to the university—as alumni and former student-athletes. Shelly and Wil both left their marks through championship performances and record-setting careers. It's a privilege to celebrate each of their legacies."

Timeline:
Saturday, Jan. 31 - 2:00 p.m. Men's Basketball vs. Lafayette @ Bender Arena

• All Hall of Fame members in attendance will be recognized at halftime.

4:30 p.m. Cocktail Reception (Hors d'Oeuvres and open bar) at the Meltzer Center
6:00 p.m. Dinner and Induction Ceremony at the Meltzer Center

Registration Information:
$125 per person
For questions, or to purchase a table (8 seats), please contact Lindsey Campbell at 202-885-6612 or lindseyc@american.edu.
Registration closes on January 24, 2026, or when the event sells out. Early registration is recommended.

How To Register
aueagles.com/HallofFame2026

Bios of the inductees follow: 

JACK CASSELL, LIFETIME CONTRIBUTOR
A former men's soccer goalkeeper for the Eagles in the mid-1970s, Jack Cassell has remained deeply connected to American University for nearly five decades. Cassell has served on the AU Board of Trustees since 2003 and was Chairman from 2015 to 2019. He has also chaired the Board's Athletics Committee and has played a major leadership role in advancing key athletics initiatives across the university. His name is tied to significant philanthropic efforts in support of student-athletes, including foundational support for the Cassell Hall residence building and the Meltzer Center for Athletic Performance.

Professionally, Cassell is the founder and former CEO of Visual Aids Electronics (VAE) and its subsidiary, Conference Systems, Inc., which he grew from a local enterprise into a national leader in audiovisual solutions. After selling the company in 2013, he went on to establish Cassell Global Investments, LLC, where he serves as President and CEO and oversees a diverse portfolio of companies in the U.S. and Brazil.

Cassell is the son of Stafford H. "Pop" Cassell, a legendary coach, athletic director, and vice president whose legacy is woven into the history of AU Athletics.

ALAN MELTZER, LIFETIME CONTRIBUTOR
Alan Meltzer began his connection with American University as a scholarship wrestler from 1969 to 1972 and has remained one of AU Athletics' most committed champions ever since. His decades of support for the department have included transformational philanthropic investments in AU's facilities and student-athlete experience, including the naming of the Alan and Amy Meltzer Center for Athletic Performance, which is currently nearing completion. The Meltzers' cumulative commitment ranks among the largest capital gifts in AU's history.

Meltzer was elected to the Board of Trustees in 2007 and has long been recognized for his deep commitment to service, leadership, and philanthropy at American. He received the university's Cyrus Ansary Medal in 2006, and the same year was honored with the Meritorious Service Award by the National Wrestling Coaches Association. In 1998, he named AU's wrestling room in honor of his mother, Marilyn Meltzer—a tribute to both his family legacy and his personal connection to the sport.

A proud example of lifelong learning, Meltzer completed the final requirements for his bachelor's degree from the College of Arts and Sciences in 2021, shortly before his 70th birthday. He is the founder of The Meltzer Group, established in 1982, which has grown into a leading provider of life insurance, employee benefits, financial management, and estate planning services for clients ranging from individuals to Fortune 500 companies.
  
SHELLY MONTGOMERY, FIELD HOCKEY (2010-14)
Shelly Montgomery was a two-time Patriot League champion and one of the most decorated players in American University field hockey history. A four-time All-Patriot League honoree and two-time team captain, she earned All-America Second Team recognition in 2013, when she was also named Patriot League Player of the Year and Tournament MVP.

Montgomery was twice selected to the NFHCA Mid-Atlantic Region First Team and earned Academic All-Patriot League honors three times, along with three selections to the NFHCA Division I Academic Squad. Known for her leadership and clutch performances, she scored the game-winning goals in both the 2013 Patriot League Championship against Boston University and the NCAA Play-In game against Quinnipiac.

She finished her career ranked among the program's top scorers, with 93 points on 40 goals and 13 assists. She still ranks ninth in goals and 11th in total points. In 2015, Montgomery was named to the Patriot League's 25th Anniversary Team, recognizing her place among the league's all-time greats. She later returned to AU as an assistant coach for the 2016 and 2017 seasons.

WILBERT "WIL" SMITH, MEN'S TRACK (1970-73)
Wilbert "Wil" Smith was a standout sprinter for American University in the early 1970s whose speed and consistency left a lasting mark on the AU track and field record books. He captured the 1971 Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) title in the 100-yard dash with a time of 9.70 seconds and, in 1970, set the program's 100-meter record at 10.84—a mark he matched again in 1973. That school record stood for five decades.

Smith also posted one of the fastest 200-meter times in program history, clocking 22.04 in 1973—a mark that still ranks among AU's top five all-time. Competing in an era before AU joined the Patriot League, Smith's performances placed him among the elite in the MAC and remain a testament to his athleticism and dedication.

Beyond his achievements on the track, Smith has remained a proud and passionate AU alumnus, inspiring generations of young athletes in the D.C. community and beyond. His legacy as a record-setter and role model continues to reflect the spirit of AU Athletics.

Pop Cassell Hall of Fame