Santa Fe College Athletics inducted four former players and the 2016 Saints Volleyball team into its Hall of Fame on September 20. The event began with an alumni meet and greet at Hotel Indigo in Gainesville.
The inductees include Roderick “Rod” Emanuel, Arianna Emanuel-Wright, Alonzo Hird, Tabitha Odabe, and the 2016 volleyball team.
Roderick Emanuel played basketball for Santa Fe from 2007 to 2009. He was a two-time All-Conference and All-FCSAA selection and averaged more than 15 points per game in both seasons. Emanuel contributed to a perfect conference record his freshman year and helped secure a tournament title as a sophomore. He later continued his basketball career at Middle Tennessee State University.
Arianna Emanuel-Wright played for Santa Fe from 2015 to 2017. She was named Second Team All-American in her sophomore season while averaging over 20 points per game. She also earned All-FCSAA honors during the season and tournament. After transferring to the University of North Florida, she became the first player in program history to be named to the ASUN All-Academic Team. Emanuel-Wright has also been inducted into the FCSAA Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.
Alonzo Hird played for Santa Fe between 2002 and 2004, helping the basketball team reach a state tournament appearance in 2003 before signing with Eastern Kentucky University. Hird ranks second all-time at Santa Fe with 511 rebounds and later played professionally overseas before returning to coach high school basketball in Kentucky.
Tabitha Odabe joined Santa Fe’s basketball program from 2015 to 2017 with limited experience but developed into a key player by her sophomore year. She holds school records for most blocks in both a single game and season, finishing her career among the top rebounders at Santa Fe. Odabe transferred to Flagler College where she served as team captain and received multiple defensive awards including Peach Belt Defensive Player of the Year twice as well as Player of the Year.
The entire roster of the historic 2016 Saints Volleyball team was recognized for reaching the NJCAA National Tournament for the first time in program history, finishing their season ranked No. 4 nationally under Head Coach Nick Cheronis, who was named AVCA Southeast Region Coach of the Year. The team included Caylee Cox, Amanda Torres, Meraiah Hill, Nadine Williams (the program’s first volleyball All-American), Meghan Thomson, Sheyanne Sullivan, Kasey Valentin, Kaylee Herring, LaRija Henry, Ashton Marshall, Avarie Lewis, Courtney King, Clare Donegan, Sterling Williamson, Meagan Irish, Tina Mayberry and Ashley Lanoue.
“We are proud to honor these athletes and teams whose achievements have left a lasting impact on our college,” said organizers during Saturday’s ceremony.
