Hartnell College Athletics Hall of Fame celebration set for Sept. 26

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Hartnell College Athletics Hall of Fame celebration set for Sept. 26 Sat 9/26/26 8:30 am to 3:00 pm The 13th annual induction ceremony kicks off a daylong celebration culminating in a football home game on the main campus. Hartnell College will induct its 13th Athletics Hall of Fame class on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in a daylong celebration of Panther athletics. The day begins on the main campus at 411 Central Ave. in Salinas and moves from a morning induction brunch to an afternoon tailgate party, followed by a home football game at 3:00 vs. Contra Costa at Bill Elliott Football Field. The Athletics Hall of Fame honors the athletes, coaches, teams and supporters who have shaped Hartnell's athletic tradition. This year's ceremony marks 13 years of celebrating the individuals who built and carried that legacy forward. Class of 2026 inductees Athletes Gio Sprattling — track and field, high jump (1989-90) Clarissa Hernandez — track and field, thrower (2010-11) Mark Hebert — football (1984-85) Rick Raymundo Encallado — football (1974-75) Kiero Small — football (2009) Renee Gomez — softball (1993-94) Chris Balatico — baseball (2004-05) Victoria Perez — women's soccer (2013-14) Staff Andy Watt — softball coach (1991-2018), inducted posthumously Carlos Volpini — men's soccer assistant coach Supporters John Devine — sports writer, Monterey Herald Monterey Peninsula Foundation Teams 1971 football team 2009 and 2010 women's cross country teams Beyond honoring the newest inductees, the day invites the full Hartnell community to take part. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available through the Hartnell College Foundation at hartnellfoundation.ejoinme.org/hof2026. About Hartnell College Located in the heart of the Salinas Valley, Hartnell Community College District serves more than 13,000 students annually across its main campus in Salinas, the Alisal Campus, and education centers in King City, Castroville and Soledad. Hartnell is a Seal of Excelencia-certified institution and has been a Hispanic-Serving Institution since 2000. The college offers associate and bachelor’s degrees and certificate programs that prepare students for transfer to four-year universities or for direct entry into the workforce. Hartnell advances social and economic justice through the transformative power of education. For more information, visit hartnell.edu.