ABERDEEN, S.D. — A legendary South Dakota high school football coach and one of the most decorated women’s basketball players in school history headline the newly announced inductees for the Northern State University Athletics Hall of Fame class of 2026.
Former Hamlin head coach Arlin Likness and current Florence/Henry assistant coach Miranda (Ristau) Obaniana will be enshrined alongside Kelsey Chambers, Rob Lewis, Drew (Smith) Reinot, and David Snelling during the university’s annual induction banquet this fall.
Likness, a 1979 Northern State graduate, is the recipient of the 2026 Kretchman Coaching Award. Over a 39-year teaching and coaching career spanning Beresford, Hamlin, and Yankton, Likness cemented his legacy as the fifth-winningest head football coach in South Dakota history, compiling a 261-101 record.
During his 38 years leading football programs, Likness guided his teams to 13 state championship games, capturing seven state titles and three runner-up finishes. He also secured two state championships as an assistant coach. His success extended beyond the gridiron; Likness assisted with boys and girls basketball programs that made 16 state tournament appearances and coached track and field programs to three state titles.
Likness’s extensive list of accolades includes five South Dakota Football Coach of the Year awards and inductions into the South Dakota Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame (2010), the South Dakota High School Coaches Hall of Fame (2017), and the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame (2025).
Joining him in the 2026 class is Obaniana, a 2018 NSU graduate who put together one of the most dominant four-year careers in Wolves women’s basketball history.
A native center, Obaniana appeared in 105 games and scored 1,461 career points, ranking seventh all-time in program history. She also amassed 680 rebounds and 172 blocks. During her tenure, the Wolves went 99-27, capturing three NSIC North Division titles, two NSIC Tournament championships, and four consecutive NCAA Central Region Tournament berths.
Obaniana’s individual breakout came in 2018 when she was named the NSIC Player of the Year, a WBCA All-American, and became the first student-athlete in Northern State history to be named the CoSIDA Academic All-American® of the Year. She still holds school records for single-game blocked shots (10) and single-season points scored (635).
Obaniana currently works as a physical therapist in Canby, Minnesota, resides in Watertown, and serves as a volunteer assistant coach for the Florence/Henry girls basketball team.
The 2026 Hall of Fame & Distinguished Alumni Banquet will take place at 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 25, in the Kessler’s Champions Club Room on the Northern State campus. Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for children, and can be purchased by contacting the NSU Foundation.
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