15 INDUCTED INTO THE FULLERTON COLLEGE ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME
Fourteen exceptional individuals and one national championship team were honored on Friday night at the 9th Fullerton College Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Dinner.
The dinner was another huge campus success with folks from all over the country packing Fullerton College's North Gym (the Hornets Nest).
This year's group of inductees were Jeff Andrews, Angie Baca, Nick Fuscardo, Tom Gilmer, Jay Lucas, Tara McGinley, Jim Moore, Paul Moyer, Lisa Nelson, Lindsey Rodgers Westbury, Jeff Sanchez, Christine Sison, Carla Williams Eldridge, Forrest "Frosty" Younger, and the 1983 National Champion Football Team.
David Soto was excellent serving as the Master of Ceremonies, while Hall of Fame Athletic Trainer Bill Chambers and former basketball coach Roger See were fantastic serving as speakers during the event.
"The tradition and history are very deep and special here at Fullerton College. This event is designed to celebrate the past while bringing the present and future Hornets together in one special night", Fullerton College Athletic Director Scott Giles.
Click here to view the photos from the 2023 FC Athletic Hall of Fame!
Watch the 2023 FC Atheltic Hall of Fame Ceremony Broadcast!
Below are the biographies of the 2023 inductees:
1983 FOOTBALL TEAM – NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
The 1983 Shrine Potato Bowl was had the two best junior college teams in the country go toe-to-toe. The Taft Cougars came into the game with an undefeated 9-0 record, a national best 20-game winning streak, were ranked number one in the nation. The fourth-ranked Hornets, though, were not too far behind, having gone unbeaten in 16 straight games. Taft brought a rushing game averaging nearly 300 yards into the contest, while Fullerton's stingy defense had allowed just 29.4 yards per game on the ground. It was the passing game of Fullerton that proved to be the difference. Quarter-back Gary Ruhlen completed 20 of 28 passes for 193 yards and four touchdowns. Sophomore tight end Dave Warner was named the game's Outstanding Offensive Player catching 8 passes for 98 yards and 2 touchdowns. Fullerton's defense was dominant producing 10 sacks. Defensive end Lance Wingert had 6 of those sacks by himself. The Hornets also produced 4 forced fumbles and recovered all of them. Taft could only muster a touchdown that tied the game up in the second quarter before Fullerton pushed ahead with the 28-7 upset capturing its third national title.
"I looked up at the clock, with about 3:48 left to go in the game- that was the longest three minutes and 48 seconds I've ever gone through", claimed Hornet Head Coach Hal Sherbeck in the 1983 Hornet article.
For the season, the Hornet defense only gave up 997 yards passing and 294 yards on the ground. It allowed 129 yards a game, 7.5 points a game, had 18 interceptions, 19 forced fumbles, and 14 fumble recoveries. The defensive unit set a national record on-ly allowing 1 rushing touchdown in an entire season, which was given up in the last game of the year. Breaking school records that still stand today are: Total Rushing Yards Allowed Season - 294, yards, Sacks in a Season - 71, Sacks in a Game - 10.
There were many people on the staff that played valuable roles in helping the Hornets to their third national title in Bill Chambers, Norm Perez, and Llod Piper. The Hornet coaching staff was one of the greatest at the community college level consisting of Hal Sherbeck, Marv Sampson, Al Feola, Glenn Thomas, Jeff Jespersen, Bob Mitchell, Dick Campbell, John Turek, and Scott Forbes.
One of the best Pep Squads around, the Hornet Cheer & Song teams included Maureen Adams (Advisor), Wendy Atkins, Debbie Baker, Teresa Batlier, Shari Berko-witz, Natalie Birnbaum, Vicky Calhoun, Cammie Chambers, Lisa Conklin, Shawn Draccoules, Michelle Geist, Sherie Harrell, Phyllis Martinez, Carey Mayberry, Vida Owens, Tammy Pate, and Wendy Rust.
ANGIE BACA (BASKETBALL 1996-1998)
One of the greatest shooters in FC basketball history, Angie Baca came from John Glenn High (Norwalk, CA), where she was a four-year varsity standout. She set the school's scoring record with 1,278 points and was named the Suburban League MVP her junior and senior years. Angie also received ALL-CIF honors for both of those years.
Angie came to study and play at Fullerton College for Coach Joni Easterly in 1996. She made an immediate impact as a true freshman earning recognition by the Orange Empire Conference as an Honorable Mention player posting a team-high 17 points a game. Angie ranked 3rd in the Orange Empire Conference and 25th in the state, while finishing second in the conference in three-point shooting (50-of-159).
A new but familiar face stepped on to the court eager to coach Angie's sophomore campaign. Hall of Fame player and coach Debi Woelke took over the reins from UC Riverside breathing in some new life into the program. Under Woelke's scheme, Angie blew the doors off the record books scoring a total of 1,109 points during the 1997-98 season; a record that still stands today. She still owns two other school records: Season Three-Pointers (84) and Career Three-Pointers, California Community College Women's Basketball Coaches Association, and All-America (Honorable Mention) by the Kodak JC/CC Division.
"Angie was very fast and good at defense, and it often created opportunities for her to sprint from defense to offense for layups or three-pointers. She helped so much and flourished so well in my philosophy of Defense, Rebound, and Run", said Debi Woelke.
Angie graduated from Fullerton College in 1998 where she was tabbed as the Athlete of the Year. Even with a scholarship offer from Humboldt State, she hung up her basketball uniform and went to work for a local distribution company where she was a supervisor for nine years. Angie is married and keeps busy raising her three kids (son 15, and two daughters 14 and 5).
NICK FUSCARDO (1986-2019)
Longtime Fullerton College skipper, Nick Fuscardo devoted his heart, soul, and vast experience to the Hornet blue, white and gold as an educator and coach.
Before coming to Fullerton College, Fuscardo was the star shortstop at Serra High School in 1960. He was also a basketball player with moves as good as his stories. After his days at Serra High, Nick went on to El Camino College where he played second base for the Warriors from 1962 to 1964 and was an All-Metro Conference selection. From there, he was offered a ride to West Liberty State College in West Virginia where he started at shortstop third base earning All-West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference honors. In 1967, Nick served as a student assistant coach, soon graduated from West Liberty with a bachelor's degree in physical education/recreation and speech and earned his master's degree in education administration at Cal State Fullerton.
Looking for a job in 1968 Fuscardo soon found a good one just down the street at Troy High School serving as a teacher as well as an assistant baseball and football coach. Two years later, he was named the varsity baseball coach at Troy.
During his rookie season, Nick led the Warriors to a Freeway League Championship. Fuscardo went on to serve as Troy's head coach for 13 seasons where he led the Warriors to a 205-68 record, five Freeway League championships and 11 playoff appearances.
The Hornets came calling in 1982 as Fuscardo was offered an assistant position at Cal State Fullerton under Titans Coach Augie Garrido in 1981, but instead, accepted a position as an assistant under Mike Sgobba in 1982. The team won conference the South Coast Conference the following season. Four years later, Fuscardo was named as the ninth baseball coach in Fullerton College's history.
With a pure love for the game as well as helping many young people become successful adults, Fuscardo led his Hornets to 25 wins or more in seven seasons, including 1988 (30 wins) and 2013 (32 wins – a school record). His 2013 team won the Orange Empire Conference and was the state runner-up. Nick also had 16 seasons with 20 or more wins. He locked down his 500th victory on February 25, 2011 and then achieved his 600th on opening day (Feb. 2) of 2016. Fuscardo holds the Hornet record for most career wins at 665. It was an 8-3 win on March 18, 2010 against Irvine Valley College that gave Fuscardo his 488th win surpassing the previous mark set by FC Hall of Fame coach Mike Sgobba (487 wins).
In 1983-84, Nick Coached of the Humboldt Crabs Collegiate team to a 104-12 record, winning Summer Collegiate Titles.
Fuscardo has coached more than 70 players who have been drafted or have signed professional contracts, including New York Mets standout pitcher Steve Trachsel, San Diego Padre catcher Tom Wilson, Mitch Levier to the Oakland A's, and Jose Rojas of the Angles. Other draftees include outfielders Shane Carrier (Twins) and Austin O'Banion (Rangers) from the 2016 team. More than 200 of Fuscardo's players have gone on to play baseball at the four-year level.
In 1991, Nick was named to the California High School Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame. He was inducted into the El Camino Athletics Hall of Fame in 2004 and was named as the CCCBCA/Victory Athletics Coach of the Year in 2010. Nick was selected as the AABC Pacific Division National Coach of the Year 2013 and coached the East Team in the National Baseball Tournament in 2019. He was also awarded Fullerton College President's Medal of Honor in 2019.
An avid golfer, Fuscardo helped launch the FC women's golf program in 1998 leading the team to a share of the Orange Empire Conference title in 2000. He was named Coach of the Year following that season. During Fuscardo's time as the head women's golf coach, the program had State Golf Championship finalists Hye Yoon Jung (1999, 2000) and two-time finalist Jeri Costello (2002). Nick also served a two-year term as president of the California Community College Women's Golf Association.
Married to his loving wife Susan of 55 Years, Nick, has three amazing children: Julie (husband Ed, children Guy, Sofia and Gianna), Marci (husband Chris, children Nico and Carmella), and Joey (wife Kellye). Nick has a brother, Richard, from Lake Havasu City.
TOM GILMER (TRACK & FIELD / CROSS COUNTRY COACH 1973-74, 1975-80)
Loved and well-respected, Coach Tom Gilmer mentored many Hornet greats. In just his second season as the FC Track & Field coach his team set the national record in shuttle hurdles. His 1973 cross country team won conference and his 1974 Track & Field squad won conference as well. Both teams won it again in 1975. Tom's last year at FC was 1979-80 where he kick-started the women's cross country team and had great success. After his coaching days at FJC, Gilmer got into commercial real estate and was very successful.
Tom graduated from the University of Redlands in 1962 with a double major in history and physical education. He started his first teaching and coaching job at Foothill High School in Santa Ana where he was a member of the original faculty. Gilmer soon took over as the head track & field coach and was an assistant coach on the football team.
In 1969 Saddleback College opened and Gilmer was appointed as the head track and cross country coach. "I actually had interviewed for the Fullerton JC job when Bob Ward was on sabbatical, but the position was given to Jan Underwood."
At Saddleback College, Tom led the Gauchos to conference titles in both cross country and track. In August of 1969, he was assisting the Foothill football staff with the North-South football game.
Hornet football Coach Hal Sherbeck attended a practice and when Tom got home that evening, Sherbeck had left a message to call him."I presumed he wanted to know if one of the South players had made a decision where he would attend. When I called Hal, his first question was 'How would you like to be a Hornet'. Jan Underwood had resigned and was returning to Oregon. Two weeks later, I resigned at Saddleback and started at Fullerton. I'm not sure the College was very happy, and I know many of my recruits weren't."
Gilmer was the cross country coach at Fullerton College from 1970-1980. He was the head track coach during the period of Bob Ward's sabbatical. Upon Ward's return, Tom handled all the runners, while Bob handled the field events. The highlight of their partnership in coaching was winning the State Championship in 1974. In the spring of 1975, Bob was offered the strength and conditioning with the Dallas Cowboys, and Tom was once again tabbed as the head track & field coach.
"I have never liked the position of head coach in track because there are 17 separate events and any successful program has different coaches handling the various events. During my time at Fullerton, we had Bob Ward, Al Feola, Marl Murray, Randy Benson, Jim Kiefer and myself. A perfect staff."
In the fall of 1979, Gilmer was offered the head track position at a major university. At a crossroad, one of his best friends felt he would be very successful in real estate. Tom took a leave of absence the spring of 1980 with Jim Kiefer assuming the head track position. Two months into the semester Gilmer realized that if I was ever to consider making a career change, he needed to do it since he had just turned the big forty.
In 1982, Tom made his big life change becoming one of the founders of Lee and Associates Commercial Real Estate. During the last 41 years, the company has expanded to 70 offices in the US and Canada.
"Financially, it has been beyond anything that I could have done in athletics. It has done nothing to lessen my interest and following of track. My wife and I have traveled all over the world to attend track meets. We are the same couple who have been married for 60 years, live in the same house for the past 50 years, remain the same friends."
Even though Tom has been out of coaching waters for over forty years, his impact on his student-athletes still creates ripples today.
JAY LUCAS (BASKETBALL 1976-78)
A local product, Jay Lucas graduated from Fullerton High in 1976, where he played basketball for the Indians. There he earned All-League and All-CIF honors and participated in the Orange County All-Star games.
Lucas soon found himself at Fullerton College after being recruited by FC Hall of Fame Coach Ezra Van Horn. He made an immediate impact on the team as a freshman during 1976-77 season earning All-Conference honors, while helping the team to conference title (11-1). Lucas averaged 13 points a game and was second on the team in rebounding (5.1 rpg.). Coach Van Horn called the team, his "Dedicated Nine". Voted as the team MVP on the 1977-78 squad, Jay also earned a spot on the All-State team averaging 18.1 ppg. and 5.1 rpg. He was also a Man of Distinction, which is the highest award given at FC.
Graduating from Fullerton College, Jay excelled at Chico State where he majored in Communications.
With his new degree in hand, Jay's career path would present the opportunity to witness some great moments in sports history. In 1981, he began his communications career as a public relations assistant for the "Showtime" Los Angeles Lakers and the then-California Angels.
Lucas extended his talents to Major League Baseball beginning with the Los Angeles Dodgers from 1988 to 1996. As director of publicity, he coordinated all public relations efforts for the organization and oversaw all media relations activities.
In 1996, Lucas joined the professional racing industry as the director of public relations for Penske Motorsports, Inc. (PMI) and the California Speedway. In his role, he planned all communications initiatives for PMI and the PMI speedways, focusing on NASCAR and CART events from 1996-2001.
Jay had various external roles within the Anaheim Angels organization. He served as director of publicity and broadcasting in 2002 and 2003, managing strategic communication plans for the marketing, broadcasting and community relations departments. Lucas was also the Vice President of Communications for the World Series Champion Houston Astros where he was responsible for all external and internal club communications efforts and served as club spokesperson when needed.
In all, Jay planned and executed media relations efforts for three World Series (1988, 2002, 2005), six League Championship Series (1988, 1995, 1996, 2002, 2004 and 2005), the 2004 All-Star Game in Houston, and was the San Diego venue press chief for the World Baseball Classic in 2009.
Lucas spent time at California Baptist University as the Associate Athletic Director for Marketing and Media Relations. After CBU, Lucas was responsible for various initiatives within the XFL as the Director of Communications and Media Relations for the Houston Roughnecks football club. He played an integral role in leading the public and media relations efforts in launching the Houston Roughnecks brand through strategic media campaigns, ticket programs and grassroots marketing efforts.
Jay Lucas was recently named the Associate Athletic Director for Strategic Communications at Stephen F. Austin State University.
Recently, Jay and his wife Vicki celebrated their 43rd wedding anniversary. Vicki is the daughter of his high school coach the late Bob Van Voorhis. Vicki and Jay have three children, Daniel, Lindsay, and Tyler and have celebrated the birth of 10 grandchildren.
TARA MCGINLEY (Water Polo / Swim 2005-2007)
A Villa Park High graduate, Tara McGinley came to Fullerton College in 2005 and made an immediate impact on the FC Aquatics program under Head Coach Dr. Pete Snyder and Cassandra Sanders.
As a freshman at FC in 2005, Tara earned First Team All-Orange Empire Conference honors and was the leading scorer on the water polo team with 75 goals. Her sophomore season in 2006 had great success as McGinley posted a team-high 81 goals while earning a First Team All-American nod. She ranks third overall in FC history with 156 total career goals.
On the swim team her freshman season in 2006, Tara was a state championship finalist with a 5th place finish in 100 freestyle, finished 12th in the 50 freestyle, and 16th in 50 backstroke. In 2007, she was once again a state championship finalist finishing in 4th place in the 50 freestyle, 5th place in the 100 freestyle, 7th place in the 200 freestyle, 2nd place in the 400 medley relay, 6th place in the 200 medley relay, 9th place in the 800 freestyle relay, and 13th in the 400 freestyle relay. For her success, Tara was named Orange Empire Conference Co-Swimmer of the Year landing a 1st place finish in 50, 200, and 100 freestyles at the OEC Championships. She was an All-American selection for 2006 and 2007.
Earning her A.A. degree from Fullerton College, Tara moved on to Cal State Northridge where she started for the D1 Matador water polo program during the 2008 and 2009 seasons. Her senior year was very rewarding as she led the CSUN to a top-20 national ranking while scoring 39 goals (team second-best). She had a 4-goal game against the University of Hawaii. The team had a 20-win season placing first (4-1 overall tie) in the Big West Conference. For her efforts, Tara was named as an Academic All-American selection by the Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches (ACWPC) and earned a spot on the All-Big West Academic team.
Armed with a bachelor's degree in English from CSUN and her Teaching Credential from Cal State Fullerton, McGinley then earned her master's degree in educational technology from Concordia University, Irvine. From there, she began her work as a 9th and 11th grade language arts teacher at Centennial High School in Corona. Tara was the head boys and girls water polo coach from 2015 to 2020 and was voted the Coach of the Year in the Big VIII. She also coached at her alma mater Villa Park High for two seasons (2005-2007).
Even with her busy teaching and coaching schedule, Tara still found the time to continue playing water polo for SoCal Master's in Irvine from 2016-2018. She enjoys hiking and has been all around the United States and a few places internationally. McGinley is also a marathon runner finishing 9,357 out of 25,000 runners in the 2015 Nike Women's Half Marathon in San Francisco.
"Tara is a very competitive athlete and person. She excels in every endeavor regardless of the level. Tara was always a pleasure to coach because of her desire to improve and her work ethic. The fact that she was an All-American in two sports shows her willingness and versatility to compete in more than one arena. I am sure Tara will have an excellent career in teaching and coaching", Dr. Pete Snyder.
JIM MOORE (1964-1968)
In the fifties, Jim Moore was a student at Fullerton College. In the sixties, he returned to coach football and tennis. In 2019, Jim came back to the campus accepting the President's Award for Outstanding Service in Education, and he is back with us tonight as a new member of the FC Athletic Hall of Fame.
During his tenure as the Defensive Coordinator on the FJC football team, he helped create one of the best defensive units in school history, contributed to a 47-game win-streak that included two national championships (1965 and 1967). In 1964, when Jim joined the coaching staff, the Hornets began their winning streak, which culminated that year by winning the Potato Bowl at Bakersfield College. FJC continued the winning streak in 1965 by winning the Junior Rose Bowl in Pasadena. The following season, the Hornets went back to Bakersfield and won the Potato Bowl yet again. The 1967 team whipped through its opponents winning the National Title. 1968 was Moore's last season on the FJC coaching staff. The team lost the final game of the season ending the 47-game win streak against San Diego City.
In nearly 15 seasons as the men's tennis coach, Jim's teams racked up countless victories as well as Southern California and State titles. In May of 1967, the Hornets brought home the team State Championship. It is the first and only time the men's team has won the state crown.
Jim's connection to Fullerton College began in 1953 as a student-athlete on the Hornet football squad. Recruited by Coach Dick Spaulding, Moore was a gifted athlete playing end on the Eastern Conference Championship team. A top player for FJC, Jim was well-liked and voted as the Team Captain in 1954. He was also voted as the Most Improved Sophomore. During his sophomore season, Jim tied a school record catching two touchdown passes in a game. He earned All-Eastern Conference honors for both seasons on the football team.
Earning a scholarship, Moore went on to become a two-way starter at San Jose State for the next two seasons. Graduating in 1958 with a bachelor's degree and a special secondary teaching credential. A 22-year-old college graduate and a married man, Jim returned home to Southern California where he landed his first job as a teacher at Fullerton High, where he was a Physical Education instructor and football coach. After three years, Moore was hired as the head football and wrestling coach at Lowell High where he stayed until he came to the Hornets.
While coaching was his true passion, Jim entered the field of real estate because he saw great opportunities in investing, which created a new career for himself. He also invested in and owned several racquetball clubs, which game him the seed money to buy additional real estate. Jim found a mobile park in Hesperia, California that had twenty spaces and room for growth. He bought it with the idea of having 30 additional sites and thought it would be a good way to learn the mobile park business. With the cost of housing being too high, Moore felt it was too hard for people to buy a stick-filled house.
Today, Jim owns fifty mobile parks and around 10,000 spaces as well as four mobile park sales centers around the country in Ohio, Missouri, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, and Montana. He also owns three bank buildings in Texas. Jim started his own lending company, Superior Loans, to help buyers with the financing of the homes they purchase from one of his own sales centers.
Jim and his second wife, Marion, now live in Dallas, Texas. They also maintain a home in Dana Point, California. He is the father of three daughters: Sheri, Debbie, and Cindy. Jim has 5 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.
PAUL MOYER (1979-1980 FOOTBALL)
A star athlete out of Villa Park High School, Paul Moyer came to Fullerton College in 1979 to play safety for Head Coach Hal Sherbeck. In 1980, after his sophomore season, Moyer was selected as the South Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year, was First Team All-State selection, and earned Junior College All-American honors.
Paul soon transferred to Arizona State on a scholarship where he lead the team in Interceptions and Sacks. His efforts helped lead the 1982 Sun Devils to the No. 1 ranked defense in the nation. ASU went on to beat Oklahoma in the 1983 Fiesta Bowl to finish as the No. 6 team in the country. Moyer was selected to play in the College all-star East-West Shrine game and was voted as the Defensive MVP.
Upon finishing up at Arizona State, Moyer signed a free agent contract with the National Football League's Seattle Seahawks in 1983. Playing safety, he was seen as a unique player in the NFL often used as an extra linebacker using his keen ability to read opposing offenses, while making jaw-dropping hits. Paul was a perfect fit to take over for Seahawk great Kenny Easley leading the team in 1988 with 6 interceptions. He accumulated 11 interceptions, 9 fumble recoveries, 4 sacks, and 2 touchdowns during his seven-year career (98 games) before a neck injury ended his playing days.
Paul was soon tabbed as the Defensive Backs Coach for the Seattle Seahawks where he worked for five seasons (1990-1994).
After coaching with the Seattle Seahawks, Moyer stayed with the franchise becoming the voice of the team and serving as the radio analyst for the Seahawk game day radio broadcast. Moyer has carved a unique niche in the franchise's history as the only person to serve as a player, coach, and broadcaster. He made his debut in print as one of the book's co-authors, "Then Zorn Said to Largent: The Best Seattle Seahawks Stories Ever Told".
Paul's wife Heather and his daughter Taylor were former Seahawk cheerleaders. His son Nick won two State Football Championships at Bellevue High and played collegially at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
Paul is currently the President of First Hill Trust Company and resides in Clyde Hill, WA, with his wife and two children.
LISA DAVENPORT NELSON (Athletic Trainer 1987-2014)
Longtime athletic trainer Lisa Nelson bleeds blue and gold. She first came to Fullerton College in the fall of 1977 where she was a member of the Hornet swim team under Hall of Fame coach Dr. Sue Beers.
In 1979, Lisa wrapped up her swim career but remained at FC working as an intern in the ATR under the tutelage of Hall of Fame Athletic Trainer Bill Chambers.
Lisa's first fulltime job working as an AT came in the fall of 1982 when she took a job at Cal Poly Pomona under the tutledge of Wendy Scobell Runley. Five years later, she was back home as a Hornet after landing the full-time job working with Bill Chambers at Fullerton College. In that time, Lisa kept busy working countless practices, sporting events, while making long-lasting relationships with student-athletes, faculty, and staff.
Lisa also worked some big events outside of Fullerton. She was the athletic trainer for 1984 Olympics Equestrian events, the athletic trainer for the USA softball team at World Championships in New Zealand 1986 and was the AT for the 2003 World Gymnastics Championships at the Anaheim Pond.
In 2010 Lisa received two Lifesaver awards from CCCATA and FWATA for saving the life of Hornet baseball player Jared Marchbanks on September 28th, 2009. She also saved the life of Hornet football player Tony Siragusa, who had suffered a ruptured spleen in 1991. A truly caring and dedicated Athletic Trainer, Lisa kept thousands of athletes healthy and ready to compete making their lives a priority over her own.
Lisa had twin babies, Connor and a Tyler, in 1998. They are the absolute priority in her life. Both were Hornet gym rats because of Lisa's long hours in the ATR. Now retired, Lisa enjoys travelling to the East Coast to visit them both.
LINDSEY RODGERS WESTBURY (Water Polo / Swim 2004-2006)
A strong swimmer out of Canyon High School, Lindsey Rodgers was a four-year varsity athlete for both the water polo and swim teams (2000-2004).
In the fall of 2004, Lindsey joined the FC women's water polo team and was awarded the Most Improved Player by head coach Dr. Pete Snyder. Her sophomore season, Rodgers was the team captain while earning 2nd Team All-Orange Empire Conference honors scoring 43 goals.
The spring of 2005 saw Lindsey excel as a freshman on the FC swim team where she was the team captain. She earned All-Orange Empire Conference honors and was voted the team's Most Valuable Swimmer. She repeated as the Hornet's Most Valuable Swimmer her sophomore season in 2006 and earned All-OEC honors yet again. Tabbed as an All-American, Lindsey was a semi-finalist at the State Championships (50 freestyle, 100 butterfly, 200 freestyle). She is the FC lone record holder in three events; the 50 freestyle (24.57), 50 butterfly (27.10), and 100 butterfly (58.94). She is also on the Hornet record-holding 800 freestyle relay team (Rodgers, Tara McGinley, Samantha Arnold, and Katrina Taylor) that finished with a time of 8:36.31. For all her accolades, the Fullerton College Athletic Department added one more award- the FC Athlete of the Year before she graduated to Wagner College.
Playing on the water polo team at Wagner College in 2007 and 2008, Lindsey was a starter on the 2007 MAAC championship team and was 2nd in conference with 43 steals. She was a key component on the team helping it to the Division I NCAA Quarterfinals.
Swimming for the Wagner team in 2008 and 2009, Lindsey finished 2nd in conference in the 50 freestyle and placed 1st in the 100 freestyle. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and continued at Wagner earning a Master of Science degree in Education in 2009.
Still involved with Aquatics, Lindsey was a swimming coach at the Hacienda Golf Club from 2006 to 2010 and had an internship at USA Water Polo in 2013.
Lindsey is now working as an Orange County Sheriff (since 2013) and helps organize many aquatic events, including the Police & Fire Games (swim) and the Battle of the Badges (water polo). She is involved with master's Water Polo (Team OC Riptide) as well as the Orange County Sheriff's Department running team.
Lindsey and her husband, Josh Westbury, are happily married raising their daughter, Layla Rae.
"Lindsey was a wonderful young athlete to coach. She was not intimidated by any of her competitors. In addition to her accolades as an individual Swimming star, she was a very unselfish and hardworking team player in water polo. It was a pleasure to follow Lindsey's accomplishments during college, and now as she pursues her career in Law Enforcement", Dr. Pete Snyder.
JEFF SANCHEZ (Football 1980-1981)
An All-Freeway League and All-Orange County football star from Troy High School, Jeff Sanchez goes down as one of the many defensive greats to ever wear the blue and gold. Playing safety for Hall of Fame Coach Hal Sherbeck, Sanchez came to Fullerton College in 1980 and raised some eyebrows with his never-ending motor and play making abilities. As a freshman, he was voted an All-American as well as All-Conference and All-State racking up 66 tackles (26 unassisted), 3 interceptions, 3 pass deflections, and 1 fumble recovery. He was once again peppered with awards after the 1981 season, including another Junior College All-American nod. He had 9 interceptions, 74 tackles (46 unassisted), 8 pass deflections, 3 fumble recoveries.
In the fall of 1982, Jeff was the starting safety at the University of Georgia, and the next two years with the Bulldogs would be a whirlwind of national fame and glory. A two-time All-SEC member, Sanchez helped solidify Georgia's secondary from 1982-1984. He finished second in the nation in interceptions (9) in 1982 just behind teammate Terry Hoage (12). Jeff also had 2 interceptions against three different opponents his junior season. He missed the 1983 season with an injury, but he came back strong in 1984 for his senior year earning Kodak All American honors. He is 4th all-time in interceptions in a season and tied for 6th all-time with 13 career interceptions.
Jeff was a 12th round selection by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1985 NFL Draft.
With his football days behind him, Sanchez dedicated his life to helping others traveling all over the world. He is a dedicated family man living with his wife Wendi in Colorado.
CHRISTINE SISON (Softball 1986-1987)
Playing for legendary Coach Margo Davis, Christine Sison was a First Team All-Orange Empire Conference and a First Team All-State selection her freshman year in the spring of 1986. The team had a successful 25-11 overall record and was 8-6 in the South Coast Conference. Serving primarily as the designated hitter that season, Sison batted .311. In 1987 for her sophomore season, Christine played left field hitting .383, while leading the conference in batting average (.457), runs (20), hits (46), and RBI (15). She was voted as the South Coast Conference MVP after leading the team to a conference championship with an overall record of 31-8. Sison was chosen by the FC Athletic Department for the Donna Cherry Memorial Award.
Christine received a scholarship to Long Beach State, where she played during the 1988 and 1989 seasons under Hall of Fame head coach Pete Manarino, one of the winningest coaches in NCAA history. In 1988, she was the starting right fielder earning Second Team All-Conference honors. She finished her junior season batting .244. Sison's senior season she was again the starting right fielder hitting .263 earning Second Team All-Conference honors. She was also on the Arizona Wildcat All-Tournament Team.
After studying Art at CSULB, Christine went on to become the outfield coach for Long Beach City College under current Oklahoma head coach Patty Gasso 1990 to 1994.
For the past thirty years, Sison works at a local graphic design company (Cal Plate) as a sales representative selling printing plates and cutting dies for the corrugated packaging industry.
CARLA WILLIAMS ELDRIDGE (Softball 1985-1986)
Carla came to Fullerton College as a freshman in the fall of 1984 to play softball for Hall of Fame Coach Margo Davis. She made an immediate impact in the Spring of 1985 helping the Hornets to a conference title with a record of 14-1. The team made it all the way to the state championship game ending with an overall record of 32-11. For her efforts, Carla was a First Team All-South Coast Conference selection. During her sophomore campaign in 1986, Carla led Fullerton in runs batted in with 24, while earning First Team All-South Coach Conference honors.
Carla graduated from Fullerton College and soon signed a scholarship to play softball at Long Beach State. With the 49ers, she helped set the stage for a tremendous run leading the team to back-to-back NCAA Regional appearances. The conference player of the year in 1988, Williams finished the season with a batting average of .350 with an incredible 75 hits. That hit total is still tied for the second-most in one season at Long Beach. Williams was also a two-time All-Region selection during her two years (1987 and 1988) with the 49ers.
Recognized for her athletic achievements, Carla was inducted into the City of Long Beach Softball Hall of Fame in 2015 and was inducted into the Long Beach State Hall of Fame in 2018.
FORREST "FROSTY" YOUNGER (Track & Field / Football 1952 and 1957)
Forrest "Frosty" Younger is one of the most accomplished multiple-sport athletes in Fullerton Junior College history, but few would know it because of his humble personality. It wasn't until his passing in 2016 that the cumulative nature of his contributions to the Southern California athletic community were discovered when his awards and records were found in storage boxes. After months of examining the contents, it became apparent that Frosty was the caliber of athlete worthy of a nomination to the Fullerton Junior College Athletic Hall of Fame.
Younger went to Fullerton High School from 1949 to 1952. With the Indians, he was the 1952 CIF Champion and California State Finalist in the 110-yard High Hurdles and High Jump. Forrest became the league and school record holder in the High Jump, 110-yard High Hurdles, 300-yard Low Hurdles, 100-yard, and the Long Jump. For all his track success in 1952, Younger was voted the Sunset League Athlete of the Year and Fullerton High School Athlete of the Year.
Staying close to home, Forrest continued his education at Fullerton Junior College in the fall of 1952 where he played football for Coach Dick Spaulding. Using his athleticism and speed as a halfback and kick returner he led the team to an 8-3 record. Younger broke the school record for punt returns with 36 for 357 yards- a record that stood for 51 years.
After his freshman year, Forrest decided to go into the military serving in the United State Air Force from 1953 to 1956. During that time, he was given the opportunity to compete in track & field events for the Amateur Athletic Foundation (AAU). In 1954, Younger took first place in the High Hurdles and second in the High jump at the National Finals. For the USAF, he played a key role in helping the team become the PCAFB Team Champions. Forrest was named as the PCAFB MVP and was on the All-Star team.
Upon completing his military duties in 1957, Forrest came back to good ole Fullerton Junior College to finish his schooling. That fall he played football for Coach Bud Dawson helping the team to a 6-4 record. In the spring Younger began competing on the track team where he finished as the Eastern Conference Track and Field Athlete of the Year breaking the record in 110 High Hurdles, Javelin, and 220 Low Hurdles. He was also deemed the High Point Man at the conference championships taking first in the 120 High Hurdles, 220 Low Hurdles, and in the Javelin. He was third in the 100-yard Dash. At the State Championships, he was the champion in 110 High Hurdles. Forrest was the school record holder in the 110 High Hurdles, Javelin, 220 Low Hurdles, High Jump, 4x100 Relay, and 4x400 Relay.
Recruited to the University of Southern California in 1958, Younger earned a track & field scholarship, however lingering effects of an ACL tear in the fall of 1957 cut his athletic career short. Forrest graduated from USC in 1960 with a degree in Business Administration. He was an Olympic Trials qualifier prior to the injury.
Joining the workforce in 1960, Forrest became a prominent owner in the house moving business. After years of missing competitive sports, Forrest decided to get back into it years later as a coach. From 1993 to 2010, he was an assistant with the hurdles and relay events at El Modena High School as an assistant. In that time his El Modena collected 15 Century League team titles, 9 CIF individual champions, 23 Century League individual champions, 15 State finalists with an overall record of 232-45.
Forrest loved to give back often helping emerging teams and sports become a reality. In 1976, he founded and donated to Santa Ana College's men's soccer program helping launch its inaugural season. Younger was a Leon Owens Foundation Award Winner getting the "Community Volunteer of the Year". He often sponsored El Modena's track and field, soccer, and tennis programs. Forrest also gave back by sponsoring the Cypress College Soccer Camps and was a Foundation Games Executive Committee volunteer and sponsor.
Despite all his personal athletic accomplishments, Frosty was most proud of his family, the athletes he coached, and his service to our country.