EIGHT HONORED AT FULLERTON COLLEGE ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME CELEBRATION

FULLERTON, CA - APRIL 17, 2026 – Eight exceptional individuals and one undefeated state championship team were honored Friday night at the 10th Fullerton College Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Dinner.

The event proved to be another major success with attendees traveling from across the country to fill Fullerton College's Cruz Reynoso Dining Hall.

This year's induction class, though small, featured a distinguished group that included Rich Leon (1964-65, Football), Luseane Makanesi (2010-11, Track & Field), Gabriela Perez (2015-16, Women's Water Polo), D'Angelo Ross (2015-16, Football), David Shaw (Special Recognition), Bob Terry (1990-92, Men's Basketball), Lynette Velazquez (1995-97, Softball), and the 2005-06 undefeated Men's Basketball Team that captured the state title with a perfect 37-0 record.

The evening was emceed by Senior Coordinator of Athletics Marcia Foster, who guided a program filled with memories, tradition, and celebration. Hall of Famer Nick Fuscardo read a heartfelt letter written to inductee Rich Leon by legendary Hornet coach Marv Sampson. Former Hornet men's basketball coach Roger See delivered a stirring introduction for Bob Terry, while current football coach Phil Austin introduced his former player D'Angelo Ross.

Also in attendance were Fullerton College President Dr. Cynthia Olivo, Vice President of Administrative Services Henry Hua, former NOCCCD Board Trustee Leonard Lahtinen, Dean of Physical Education Dr. Beth Kelley, and Athletic Director Scott Giles.

"Fullerton College's tradition and history run very deep here. This event is a celebration of our past uniting the present and future of Hornet Athletics for one unforgettable night and it was just that," said FC Athletic Director Scott Giles.

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THE 2026 FC HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

RICH LEON – FOOTBALL 1964-65
A 6-1 wide receiver from Sierra High in Whittier, Rich Leon emerged as one of the most accomplished pass catchers in Fullerton College football history while playing for legendary head coach Hal Sherbeck's Hornets in 1964 and 1965.

Leon was an two-time All-American receiver and a key contributor during one of the greatest stretches in program history. After dropping their first two games of the 1964 season, the Hornets rallied to win 18 consecutive games, which was the beginning of Fullerton's remarkable 48-game unbeaten streak.

In the 1965 Junior Rose Bowl, Leon delivered one of the finest performances in Hornet history catching 12 passes for 159 yards as Fullerton defeated Henderson, Texas to capture the program's first national championship.

Leon still holds several Fullerton College receiving records, including the single-season mark of 70 receptions in 1965. In just two seasons, he totaled 129 receptions for 1,715 yards and 23 touchdowns, establishing himself as one of the most prolific receivers in school history.

Following his career at Fullerton, Leon transferred to the University of Southern California, where he saw time at wide receiver and served as the Trojan's punter averaging 38.4 yards on 26 punts. His career was nearly derailed in 1966 when a late hit while punting resulted in a compound fracture of his leg, an injury many believed would end his athletic career.

Leon returned to competition after a lengthy recovery and later transferred to the University of Hawaii, where he caught 51 passes and earned UPI All-Coast honors for the Rainbow Warriors. He also demonstrated his versatility by winning the Hawaii Intercollegiate Golf Tournament.

After college, Leon continued his athletic career in professional baseball. Signed as a free agent, he spent six seasons in the minor leagues with the Detroit Tigers and St. Louis Cardinals organizations, playing first base and the outfield. He reached the Triple-A level with the Tulsa Drillers, batting .319 with six home runs and 59 RBI in 106 games in his final season. Leon finished his professional baseball career with a .306 lifetime minor league batting average.

A remarkable multi-sport athlete and a central figure in one of the greatest eras of Fullerton College football, Rich Leon's legacy remains firmly etched in the Hornets' record books and history.

LUSEANE MAKANESI – TRACK & FIELD 2010-11
A product of Anaheim, California, Luseane Makanesi made her mark as one of the most dominant throwers in Fullerton College track and field history. After beginning her high school career at Loara High School and finishing at Katella High School, she quickly established herself as a standout in the throwing events posting impressive prep personal records of 138'3" in the discus and 43'4.25" in the shot put.

At Fullerton College, Makanesi flourished both athletically and personally. With the guidance of head coach Gina Bevec and the support of the Hornet program, she found not only a place to compete, but also a community that helped shape her future. Her time on campus coincided with a pivotal period in her life as she balanced academics and athletics while preparing for a church mission.

In competition, Makanesi etched her name into the record books. She captured back-to-back state championships in the shot put in 2010 with a mark of 45'9.75" and again in 2011 at 47'5.75", solidifying her legacy as one of the premier throwers in the state.

In 2011, she capped her career with a 10th-place state finish in the hammer throw at 41.03 meters and an eighth-place finish in the javelin at 36.29 meters. She was also a back-to-back Orange Empire Conference, Southern California, and 3C2A State Champion in the shot put.

Makanesi remains Fullerton College's record holder in both the shot put and discus, including a discus mark of 150'7", which is a true testament to her strength, technique, and competitive drive. She was recognized as the 2011 FC Athlete of the Year for her hard work and decication.

Beyond the accolades, Makanesi credits Fullerton College with broadening her perspective and deepening her appreciation for others. From the classroom to campus events to the lifelong friendships formed at meets, her experience as a Hornet helped shape her understanding that every person has a story worth hearing.

Today, Makanesi continues to excel beyond athletics. She resides in Provo, Utah, where she is a devoted wife and mother to her young daughter. Professionally, she has built a successful career as a Senior HR Manager with Chick-fil-A while also embracing the possibility of focusing full-time on family.

Makanesi's legacy at Fullerton College is one of excellence, resilience, and growth as an elite competitor whose impact extends far beyond the throwing circle.

GABRIELA PEREZ – WATER POLO 2014-16
A record-breaking athlete and one of the most dominant players in state history, Gabriela Perez left an unforgettable mark on the Fullerton College women's water polo program.

A lifelong competitor, Perez began swimming at just four years old and transitioned to water polo at age seven. At Montebello High School, she led her varsity squad to a league championship and the CIF playoffs all four years. Perez was also a four-time all-league selection developing the leadership and passion that would define her collegiate career.

Perez continued her journey at Fullerton College under head coach Gabriel Martinez, who also coached her at the club level and played a key role in her decision to become a Hornet.

As a freshman in 2014, Perez made an immediate impact helping lead Fullerton to its first-ever conference championship in a program that began in 1996. She went on to help the Hornets capture their first 3C2A State Championship with an undefeated 35-0 record. For her efforts, Perez earned First Team All-OEC honors and was named First Team All-State. In a dramatic championship match against Riverside City College, she scored the game-winning goal in the third sudden-death overtime period with just 33 seconds remaining.

By 2016, Perez reached historic heights, leading not only the conference but the entire state with a remarkable 185 goals setting both a Fullerton College and California state record that still stands untouched. Her dominance was unmatched, finishing 64 goals ahead of the next closest scorer while also contributing 87 assists and 123 steals. She was named OEC Co-MVP and earned First Team All-State and First Team All-American honors.

Known for her love of teamwork and camaraderie, Perez brought energy, encouragement, and toughness to every match, leaving a lasting legacy within the Hornet program.

Today, Perez carries the lessons of athletics into her professional life as a Licensed Vocational Nurse in home health care, where her communication skills, discipline, and teamwork continue to make a meaningful impact. She currently resides in Montebello, giving back to the community where her journey began.

DAVID SHAW – SPECIAL RECOGNITION
For more than four decades, David Shaw has been a cherished figure in Fullerton College athletics known to generations of players, coaches, and fans as "The Voice of the Hornets."

Born with cerebral palsy, Shaw never allowed it to limit his passion for sports or his ability to contribute to the games he loves. His journey into announcing began at Troy High School where head baseball coach Nick Fuscardo recognized his enthusiasm and gave him the opportunity to serve as the announcer for the 1977 Troy High Warrior baseball team. Shaw embraced the role, spending the next four years developing his craft behind the microphone. His talent soon caught the attention of Troy basketball coach Bill Morris, who invited him to announce home basketball games as well.

In 1982, Shaw's announcing career reached the collegiate level when Fuscardo, then an assistant coach at Fullerton College, invited him to voice Hornet baseball games. His work quickly earned the respect of the athletic department leading to opportunities announcing basketball for Coach Roger See and softball for Coach Lisa Bassi.

Over the years, Shaw's voice became synonymous with Fullerton College athletics. He has announced events across football, baseball, softball, men's and women's basketball becoming a constant and reliable presence at Hornet competitions. Rarely missing a game or special event, Shaw's energy and dedication helped define the game-day experience. He has worked alongside numerous coaches, including Hornet legends Dieter Horton, Debi Woelke, and Mike Sgobba.

For more than 40 years, Shaw proudly served as the Voice of the Hornets. Even today, he remains a familiar face at Fullerton College baseball games and occasionally returns to the microphone continuing the passion that has defined his remarkable legacy.

Beyond Fullerton, Shaw has been a fixture throughout Orange County sporting events for decades serving his hometown Anaheim Angels as a clubhouse attendant.

In 2000, Shaw became the first recipient of Fullerton College's Distinguished Athletic Award honoring his unwavering dedication, service, and loyalty to the Hornet community.

In 2022, Shaw was recognized by the Fullerton College baseball program with a plaque on the Wall of Honor for his unwavering support and love for the Hornets.

David Shaw's perseverance, commitment, and love for Fullerton College athletics have made him a true Hornet legend.

D'ANGELO ROSS – FOOTBALL 2015-16
D'Angelo Ross established himself as one of the premier defensive backs to come through Fullerton College building an impressive football career that spanned from standout high school play to the professional ranks in the National Football League.

D' Angelo Ross began his football journey at South Hills High School where he was a three-year varsity player and two-year starter. As a senior, he earned All-Sierra League First Team honors at both defensive back and wide receiver showcasing his versatility and athleticism. That season he recorded 13 passes defended, 3 interceptions, and a forced fumble, while also contributing offensively with 6 touchdowns. His achievements were further recognized when he became a 2014 inductee of the National Football Foundation.

After high school, Ross initially walked on at Fresno State University, but after one semester decided to transfer to Fullerton College, where he quickly developed into one of the Hornet's top defensive players.

At Fullerton, Ross was a two-year starter playing in all 24 games during his career. As a redshirt freshman he recorded 43 tackles, 2 interceptions, and a forced fumble. He followed that season with a remarkable sophomore campaign finishing with 45 tackles, 15 passes broken up, and 6 interceptions, returned 2 interceptions for touchdowns, and also scored on a two-point conversion. His performance earned him First Team All-SCFA National Division honors.

Ross also delivered one of the most memorable performances in program history during the State Championship game against American River recording 2 interceptions to help Fullerton secure a 29-27 victory to capture the program's first state and national title since 1983.

His success at Fullerton earned him a scholarship to the University of New Mexico, where he continued to excel at cornerback for the Lobos. As a junior he played in all 12 games and started 11, recording 28 tackles, and 11 pass deflections. During his senior season Ross started all 11 games finishing with 57 total tackles, 6 pass deflections, had one interception, and one forced fumble, while leading the team with 11 pass breakups- tying for 10th most in a single season in program history. Ross was later voted the fourth defensive back on the UNM Lobo Football "Best of the 2000s" team. At his professional pro day he showcased his elite speed and athleticism running a 4.32-second 40-yard dash and recording a 39-inch vertical leap.

Ross' performance earned him an opportunity in the NFL, where he signed with the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent under legendary head coach Bill Belichick. Although his rookie preseason ended with an injury after recording his first NFL tackle on special teams, Ross persevered and returned to the Patriots organization, eventually playing his first NFL snaps after 693 days, including an appearance in an NFL playoff game against the Buffalo Bills.

Ross later continued his professional career with the Houston Texans, where he became a key contributor on special teams, playing in 11 games in 2023 and finishing second on the team with 11 special teams tackles while appearing in two playoff games against the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens. During the 2024 season, Ross continued his special teams impact and started two games at cornerback against the New England Patriots and Green Bay Packers. In 2025, he split time between the Houston Texans and Cleveland Browns appearing in 10 games and finishing the season with 5 tackles and 2 pass deflections, highlighted by a strong performance in a 20-18 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

In March of 2026, Ross re-signed with the Cleveland Browns as an unrestricted free agent marking what will be his eighth season in the National Football League.

BOB TERRY – BASKETBALL 1990-92
Bob Terry established himself as one of the premier scorers and shooters in Fullerton College basketball history during his standout career with the Hornets from 1990 to 1992 under head coach Roger See. Known for his scoring ability and precision from the free-throw line, Terry still holds the school records for highest free-throw percentage (90.0%) and most consecutive free throws made (36). He finished his Hornet career with 1,178 points, ranking fourth all-time in program history, trailing only Hall of Famers Walt Simon, Leonard Guinn, and Edgar Clark.

During his two seasons at Fullerton College, Terry earned All-Orange Empire Conference First Team honors twice and was named to the All-State Team as a sophomore. A dynamic offensive player, he scored 30 or more points seven times in his sophomore season, helping cement his reputation as one of the top shooters to ever play for the Hornets. Terry was also a two-time team MVP and the recipient of the Arthur L. Nunn Award.

Before arriving at Fullerton, Terry starred at Brea Olinda High School, where he was named All-Orange League First Team, earned Team MVP honors, and helped lead the Wildcats to a league championship.

Following his career at Fullerton, Terry continued his success at Azusa Pacific University under head coach Bill Odell. There he played on a team that spent much of the season ranked No. 1 in the NAIA finishing the year with a 30-4 record. Terry earned District III Player of the Year (West Coast) honors, was named an NAIA All-American and was selected as his team's Most Valuable Player.

Terry later returned to his roots at Brea Olinda High School where he served as head coach from 1997 to 2011. During his tenure, he became second all-time in wins in school history, guiding his teams to two CIF quarterfinal appearances, two semifinal appearances, and one CIF Finals appearance while competing in some of Southern California's toughest divisions. His coaching excellence earned him four Orange League Coach of the Year awards, the 2000 Los Angeles Times Orange County Coach of the Year, and the honor of coaching in the 2001 North Orange County All-Star Game. Several of his players went on to compete at NCAA Division I and Division II programs.

Beyond basketball, Terry has dedicated his career to education and mentorship. For 29 years he has taught Physical Education at Brea Junior High making a lasting impact on generations of students in the community.

Bob and his wife Dina have been married for 29 years and are proud parents of two sons, Chris and Matt. The family recently welcomed their first grandson, Logan. Matt continues the family's tradition of service as a firefighter for the City of Fullerton.

LYNETTE VELAZQUEZ – SOFTBALL 1996-97
Lynette Velazquez is one of the most accomplished softball players in Fullerton College history starring for the Hornets from 1996-1997 as both a pitcher and first baseman. Velazquez played a pivotal role in leading Fullerton to a runner-up finish in the 1996 California State Championship and followed that season with an Orange Empire Conference championship in 1997.

During the 1996 season, Velazquez batted .370, scoring 20 runs with 25 RBI and 54 hits, while adding seven doubles and a home run. She elevated her game even further in 1997, hitting .420 while collecting 60 hits, 27 runs, 37 RBI, 21 doubles, and three home runs helping power the Hornets to the conference title.

Velazquez left her mark throughout the FC record book. Her 21 doubles in a single season set a program record, and she ranks in the top ten in nearly every offensive category, including batting average, hits, RBI, total bases, slugging percentage, and on-base percentage. As a pitcher, she also made an impact in the circle finishing fourth all-time in ERA (0.83) and ranking among the program's leaders in saves with seven.

Following her standout career at Fullerton, Velazquez earned a full scholarship to the University of Oklahoma where she played under legendary head coach Patty Gasso and became part of the Sooner's championship era. In 1999, she was named Big 12 Player of the Year and earned First Team All-American honors, becoming the first All-American in Oklahoma softball history. That same season she set the Oklahoma single-season home run record with 20 home runs.

Velazquez also earned Big 12 Player of the Week honors four times during her career and finished the 1999 season with a .995 fielding percentage at first base. Her contributions helped the Sooners capture the Big 12 regular-season championship with a 12-3 conference record finishing the season 38-12.

A native of Orange County, Velazquez graduated from Marina High School in Huntington Beach in 1995 where she helped lead the program to three consecutive CIF championships. Highly recruited by several powerhouse programs including UCLA, Arizona, Nebraska, and South Carolina, Velazquez began her collegiate journey at Fullerton College where she played under head coach Lisa Bassi and assistant coach Speedy Mendoza while earning her Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Studies.

Velazquez later played one season of professional softball with the Georgia Pride before transitioning into her professional career. She has worked for McKesson Medical-Surgical for more than 13 years serving as Inventory Sales Support for health system accounts.

A devoted mother, Velazquez also spent time as a batting coach at Pomona-Pitzer College from 2014-2019 while raising her son as a single parent. Her greatest accomplishment off the field came in December of 2025, when her son Nyko earned a football scholarship to Southern Nazarene University in Bethany, Oklahoma.

2005-06 MEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM – 37-0 CHAMPS
The 2005-06 Fullerton College men's basketball team etched its name into history with a perfect 37-0 season culminating in a state championship victory over the North's No. 1 seed West Valley College 81-67 at Selland Arena in Fresno.

Ranked No. 1 in the state throughout the season, the Hornets dominated opponents on both ends of the floor.

Offensively, they featured a balanced attack from inside and out, while defensively they overwhelmed teams with relentless pressure finishing the season with 324 steals and 121 blocks. Few opponents could match Fullerton's intensity as only LA Valley (62-60) and Irvine Valley (63-61) came within single digits.

In the postseason, the South's top-seeded Hornets proved their resilience by defeating Northern California's No. 2 seed, Fresno City College 71-67 before capturing the state title against West Valley.

Head Coach Dieter Horton assembled one of the greatest teams in California community college basketball history. Only one other team has matched the Hornet's perfect season since 2006 (West Valley in 2024). For his leadership, Horton was named Orange Empire Conference Coach of the Year and State Coach of the Year finishing his Fullerton College tenure with a 198-124 record over 10 seasons.

Fullerton's 37 wins established a single-season California community college record that still stands today. The Hornets also became just the fifth team in state history to complete a perfect season joining elite company alongside programs led by coaching legends Jerry Tarkanian, Bill Mulligan, and Vance Walberg.

Individually, the Hornets were just as impressive. Corey McIntosh earned Orange Empire Conference MVP and State Player of the Year honors after averaging 14.5 points per game and totaling 521 points along with 162 assists, 88 rebounds, and 62 steals. Michael Earl received All-State and All-Tournament honors, averaging 17.2 points per game with 586 total points, while adding 269 rebounds, 39 steals, and 71 blocks. Tim Denson was named State Tournament MVP after contributing 13.3 points per game and 478 total points, along with 96 assists, 129 rebounds, and 54 steals.

The team's success extended well beyond Fullerton, as many players advanced to the four-year level, including Michael Earl (Utah State/Cal State San Bernardino), Tim Denson (Colorado State/Cal State San Bernardino), Philip Jones (Cal State San Bernardino), Sean Phaler (UNC Charlotte), Kurt Graeber (Dartmouth), Rodrick Johnson (Chaminade), Alex Mallari (Lewis-Clark State), and Corey McIntosh (Iowa State).

Several members of the team also went on to play professionally overseas, including Corey McIntosh, Alex Mallari, Sean Phaler, Tim Denson, Michael Earl, and Rodrick Johnson. In addition, John Butler went on to become a NBA official.

Rodrick Johnson passed away in 2015 while playing professionally in Mexico. He played a major role in the team's success and was remembered as a tremendous teammate and an even better person.