The CCAA is proud to welcome seven new members into its prestigious Hall of Fame.
 
Tony Alfaro of Cal State Dominguez Hills, Karenee Demery of Stanislaus State, Kim Ford of Cal State San Bernardino, Sherri Howard of Cal State LA, J.J. Jakovac of Chico State, Violet Palmer of Cal Poly Pomona, and Chrissy Stalf of Cal Poly Humboldt were all selected by the CCAA Hall of Fame committee to comprise the class of 2023.
 
"I want to congratulate the 2023 CCAA Hall of Fame class," remarked CCAA Commissioner Mitch Cox. "Being selected for induction is a true honor, and it couldn't go to a more impressive group of former student-athletes. Those selected for induction certainly made their mark on their chosen field of play during their CCAA career, but also in their post-collegiate career,  including competing in the Olympics and professional sports. It is an amazing group that we honor this year, and the CCAA family celebrates this honor with them!"
 
The CCAA Hall of Fame was created in 2013-14 in conjunction with the celebration of the conference's 75th Anniversary. It now includes 41 members from 13 current and former member institutions. These individuals will be the seventh CCAA Hall of Fame class. The conference office will work with each inductee and their respective institution to find the time and a location to honor their induction.  Tony Alfaro, Cal State Dominguez Hills
Men's Soccer, 2012-15
One of the greatest defensive players in the history of the CCAA, Tony Alfaro translated the skills he developed at Cal State Dominguez Hills into a professional career in Major League Soccer (MLS).
 
During his four years with the Toros, Alfaro became one of the most decorated student-athletes in the storied history of CSUDH soccer. He was a three-time D2CCA All-West Region selection and a two-time NSCAA All-American. The conference coaches voted him the 2015 CCAA Defensive Player of the Year after he led the Toros to the CCAA regular-season title.
 
The Seattle Sounders FC drafted Alfaro in 2016, and in his rookie season, he made 24 appearances while helping the club win its first MLS Cup. After a brief stint with Mexican powerhouse Chivas de Guadalajara and former United Soccer League club Reno 1868, Alfaro returned to MLS and joined DC United. In January 2023, he signed a contract with New York City FC. In his career, he has made 68 appearances (42 starts).
  Karenee Demery, Stanislaus State
Women's Soccer, 2010-13 [STAN release]
Karenee Demery represented Stanislaus State with pride during her four years in the Red & Gold, and she graduated as one of the greatest soccer players ever to wear a jersey in the CCAA.
 
Demery rewrote nearly every record for the Warriors, setting new standards in goals (75), assists (30), and points (180). She also broke the season scoring records, scoring 21 goals and 53 points in 2013.
 
Her outstanding accomplishments on the field translated to Demery being recognized nationally as the NSCAA Player of the Year and the Capital One Academic All-America Player of the Year her senior season. She led the CCAA in scoring in three of four seasons and was a three-time CCAA Most Valuable Offensive Player of the Year. The Merced native completed her career as a four-time All-American and a three-time Daktroniks West Region Player of the Year.
 
The awards and stats do not tell the whole story for Demery, as Stanislaus State also experienced its best years with her on the roster. During her four years in Turlock, the Warriors won over 75 percent of their matches (56-15-9), and she helped the team capture three CCAA titles. In 2013, Stan State became just the second team to win the regular season and tournament championships in the same season since the league started seeding teams.
 
Upon graduation, Demery went to UCLA medical school and is currently a practicing OB-GYN.
   Kim Ford, Cal State San Bernardino
Volleyball, 2000-03
Kim Ford was one of the foundational blocks that helped build the Cal State San Bernardino volleyball program to where it is today.
 
Ford played for the Yotes from 2000 to 2003 and left the school as the program's all-time leader in kills (1,843) and digs (1,543). She was a three-time Daktronics All-West Region selection and the 2002 CCAA Player of the Year. Ford was named to four All-American teams and is one of four Yotes ever to accomplish that feat.
 
The foundations of the CSUSB volleyball dynasty were solidified during Ford's years and continue to this day. The Yotes won three consecutive regular-season titles from 2001-03, laying the groundwork for the program to capture the CCAA Championship in 16 of the next 21 seasons. The Yotes also won their first regional in 2003 as they hosted the NCAA Division II Championships at Coussoulis Arena and advanced to the semifinal round.
  Sherri Howard, Cal State LA
Women's Track & Field, 1984-85 [Cal State LA release]
Olympic Gold Medalist Sherri Howard got her start wearing the Gold & Black for the Golden Eagles before donning the Stars & Stripes in multiple Olympic Games for the USA.
 
Howard competed for Cal State LA in 1984 and 1985 while at the same time representing her country on the national stage. During the 1984 season, Howard moved into the top 10 in Cal State LA's record books in four events; the 100m (11.24), 200m (22.97), 400m (50.40), and 800m (2:09.6). Her time of 50.40 in the 400m still stands at the top of the record book today, as does her time of 3:30.25 in the 4x400m relay (1985). Howard would also capture an NCAA Division I Championship in the 400m with a time of 50.95 in 1985.
 
While all this was happening at Cal State LA, Howard was also making a name for herself, representing her country on the national stage. She competed in Olympic Trials starting at age 16 in 1980 and was selected to the USA teams in 1984 and 1988. Howard captured gold in the 4x400m relay at the 1984 Games in Los Angeles, setting an Olympic record time of 3:18.29. Howard was also honored in 1985 with the prestigious Southland Olympia Award, presented to athletes in the 31 summer and winter Olympic sports with extraordinary achievements in athletics, scholarship, and leadership.
 
The Sherman, Texas native returned to the Olympics in 1988 and took home the silver in the 4x400m relay. Howard was also a US National Champion, winning the title in the 400m in 1980.
 
Howard's success on the national stage garnered her opportunities off the track. She appeared in numerous Hollywood productions, including The Scorpion King and Criminal Minds. J.J. Jakovac, Chico State
Men's Golf, 2001-04
From 2002-2004 there was not a better golfer in Division II, and perhaps at any collegiate level, than J.J. Jakovac.
 
The Napa native was the NCAA Individual medalist in 2002 and 2004 and a three-time first team All-American. He was a two-time winner of the Arnold Palmer Award, given to the Division II Player of the Year. Jakovac was also the recipient of the 2004 Jack Nicklaus Award, given annually to the most outstanding collegiate golfer in the nation, regardless of division.
 
His efforts helped build the Chico State men's golf program into one of the nation's best. The Wildcats earned NCAA Regional bids in all four of his seasons, including capturing the regional championship in 2004. Chico State advanced to the NCAA national championships every season after Jakovac's freshman year, never finishing lower than seventh and setting the program record with a second-place finish in 2004.
 
After graduating, Jakovac went on to play professionally before shifting his focus to caddying. He caddied for Ryan Moore for several years before joining Collin Morikawa in 2019. While working as his caddy, Morikawa has been raked as a top 10 golfer in the world, winning two majors: the 2020 PGA Championship and the 2021 Open Championship.
  Violet Palmer, Cal Poly Pomona
Women's Basketball, 1982-86 [CPP release]
Through hard work and dedication, Violet Palmer has ensured her name will stand in the basketball record books, both in the CCAA and the National Basketball Association (NBA).
 
Palmer played for Cal Poly Pomona from 1982-86 and helped build the Broncos into an NCAA Division II powerhouse. As the starting point guard, she led the Broncos to back-to-back National Championships (1985 and 1986), three regional titles, and four CCAA regular-season championships. She finished her career in the top 10 all-time in steals, and the Broncos went 107-20 (45-2 CCAA) in her four seasons.
 
The Compton native carried her love for the game beyond her collegiate years and became the first woman to officiate in the NBA or any major professional sport in the United States. Palmer made history as the first female referee on Oct. 31, 1997, when she officiated the NBA season opener between the Vancouver Grizzlies and the Dallas Mavericks. Palmer became the first female to officiate an NBA playoff game (2006).
 
Palmer officiated in the WNBA during its inaugural year and worked the WBNA Finals multiple times. She won the Naismith Award for Official of the Year in 1999 and officiated the 2014 NBA All-Star Game. She retired in 2016, having officiated 919 NBA games.
 
Palmer has continued to give back to the sport at the collegiate level, where she serves as women's basketball Coordinator of Officials for the Pac-12, WCC, WAC, Big Sky, and Big West conferences. During her career, she worked five NCAA Women's Final Fours and two NCAA Women's National Championships.
  Chrissy Stalf, Cal Poly Humboldt
Softball, 2010-13
No hitter struck fear into opposing pitcher's hearts when she stepped into the batter's box more from 2010-13 than Cal Poly Humboldt's Chrissy Stalf. During a four-year career in Arcata, the first baseman built herself into one of NCAA Division II's most prolific power hitters, and her name is still in the record books today.
 
Stalf collected All-American honors as a sophomore and senior and capped off her career by leading the nation with NCAA-record-matching 28 home runs in 2013. That mark has only been topped once in the last 10 years. The left-handed first baseman was a four-time all-region selection and two-time CCAA Player of the Year (2011 and 2013).
 
Stalf's name still stands at the top of many CCAA record books today. Her 28 home runs in 2013 are still eight more than second place. Stalf also holds the third-place mark with 18 home runs in 2011. Over her career, Stalf accumulated 57 home runs, which is 13 more than second place. She holds the CCAA record with 175 career RBI and is second with 181 runs scored. Her 71 runs scored in 2013 set a conference record, and her 279 hits rank her third in conference history.
 
Humboldt won CCAA regular season, CCAA Tournament, and NCAA West Region titles in 2013. The Jacks advanced to the NCAA Championships and finished fifth in the nation. 

PAST CCAA HALL OF FAME CLASSES

Class of 2014 [story]			.	Class of 2015 [story]		.	Class of 2016 [story]
Nicole Duncan Chance, Cal State LA				Rudy Carvajal, Cal State Bakersfield			Angela Collins, Cal State Northridge
Bob Hiegert, CCAA, Cal State Northridge				Sonja Garnett, San Francisco State			Julia Cuder, UC San Diego
Carmelita Jeter, Cal State Dominguez Hills				Michael Krukow, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo			Shannon Donnelly, Stanislaus State
Darlene May, Cal Poly Pomona				Ruth Van't Land-Parkes, Cal Poly Pomona			Joseph Patrick Douglass, Cal State Bakersfield
Kim Morohunfola, Cal State San Bernardino				Gary Torgeson, Cal State Northridge			Jarin Todd, Sonoma State
John Scolinos, Cal Poly Pomona							Kathy Welter, Cal State Bakersfield

 

Class of 2017 [story]			.	Class of 2019 [story]		.	Class of 2020 [story]
Cecilia Barnes, Cal State Bakersfield				Petra Babbitt, Cal State LA			Scott Householder, Cal State San Bernardino
Kevin Gallaugher, Cal State Dominguez Hills				Frank Cheek, Humboldt State			Leora Juster, UC San Diego
Lance Harter, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo				Samantha Middleborn, Cal State San Bernardino			Kei Kamara, Cal State Dominguez Hills
Debra Larsen, Cal Poly Pomona				Chanel Parker, Cal State Dominguez Hills			Chaunte Mitchell, Stanislaus State
Karen Miller, Cal Poly Pomona				Joel Stallworth, Stanislaus State			Lizzy Prescott, Cal Poly Humboldt
				Chris Wondolowski, Chico State			Jim Sackett, Cal Poly Pomona