Induction Graduation Sport

2021 2005 Track & Field

Ashley is a 2005 graduate of Hoover High School where she was a three-time state champion in Shot Put.  Upon graduation from Hoover, Ashley attended the University of Kentucky, where she was a four-time All-American and 11-time All-Southeastern Conference Selection.  During her time in Lexington, she was a SEC Most Valuable Player and Commissioner’s Cup winner, along with a runner-up finish in the Shot Put at the 2010 NCAA Indoor Championships. 

Kovacs participated in two US Olympic Trials (2008 and 2012) and holds school records in the Shot Put and discus at the University of Kentucky.  Ashley was also named associate Head Track Coach at Vanderbilt University. 

In previous years, Ashley was the Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator for Track and Field at The Ohio State University.  At Ohio State, she has coached 11 Big Ten Conference champions and two NCAA champion.  She has also coached at Murray State and Western Kentucky.  Ashley coached her husband, Joe, at the Tokyo Olympics, where he earned a silver medal representing the USA in Shot Put.