CCCAA Hall of Fame to welcome five new outstanding members
2019 CCCAA Convention Information
SACRAMENTO – Aquatics standout Andrea Antonissen-Larkin, longtime coach and administrator John Woods, three-sport star Royce Youree, and track and field champions Jeremy Staat and Tyree Washington, comprise the accomplished 2019 California Community College Athletic Association Sports Hall of Fame Class which will be enshrined this month in Concord.
The CCCAA Sports Hall of Fame is the highest honor bestowed in California community college athletics. It honors those who have made the most of their experiences as California community college student-athletes, coaches and administrators while maximizing their own potential to better themselves along with those with whom they come in contact.
The five inductees will be inducted during ceremonies on March 27 at the Hilton Concord during the CCCAA’s annual convention. Their induction builds the prestigious Hall of Fame, which was founded in 1984, to 140 members.
“California’s community colleges have enriched the lives of thousands of student-athletes, coaches and administrators through the opportunities they provide,” said Carlyle Carter, Executive Director & CEO/President of the CCCAA. “This year’s induction class embodies those ideals and we’re honored to recognize their achievements and contributions.”
ANDREA ANTONISSEN-LARKIN (Riverside City College; water polo; swimming & diving student-athlete, 2010-12)
Antonissen-Larkin devoted countless time and energy to her academic pursuits while at Riverside City College, but she was most at home in the pool where she put together one of the most storied athletics careers in the history of the entire Tigers athletics program.
Whether as a two-year starting goalkeeper for the water polo team or as an All-American for the swimming and diving squad, Antonissen-Larkin can be described in one word – Champion. She helped lead the Tigers to back-to-back state water polo championships in 2010 and 2011, including an unblemished 32-0 freshman season, and was a three-time state swim champion as a sophomore.
Antonissen-Larkin added to her lore with the amazing distinction of earning state championship honors in both sports during the same athletic year in 2011-12. She was selected the CCCAA/CCCSIA Athlete of the Year, a two-time All-America in water polo and finished her sophomore campaign as a top-10 All-America swimmer in eight events, including in the 50- and 100-yard freestyle events in which she also set school records.
Antonissen-Larkin continued her academic and athletic careers at Oklahoma Baptist University and was inducted into the Riverside City College Athletics Hall of Fame in 2015.
JEREMY STAAT (Bakersfield College; football and track & field student-athlete, 1994-96)
Bakersfield is a long way from Iraq but it’s safe to say many of the lessons Staat learned as a standout member of the Renegades’ football and track & field teams, and carried forth to football careers at Arizona State and the NFL, were foundations when he served his country in the U.S. Marines Corps.
Staat, a native of Bakersfield who has returned to his hometown where he’s an instructor at Bakersfield College, was a three-time state champion discus and shot put thrower for the Renegades while also earning Western State Conference MVP accolades and setting school records in both.
He lent his prowess to the football team as well, helping Bakersfield to a 20-2 record and two Potato Bowl championships over his two-year career, while adding all-conference recognition both seasons. Staat was selected as Bakersfield College’s Freshman Athlete of the Year in 1995 and, subsequently, was the Most Outstanding Sophomore Athlete a year later.
After a standout football career at Arizona State, Staat was second-round NFL Draft Pick in 1998 by the Pittsburgh Steelers, beginning a professional tenure that lasted until his retirement in 2003. He then followed the inspirational lead of former ASU teammate Pat Tillman and joined the Armed Forces. Staat served a tour in Iraq before returning to finish his education and begin the Jeremy Staat Foundation. He is also currently a sought after motivational speaker.
TYREE WASHINGTON (San Bernardino Valley College; track & field student-athlete, 1994-96)
Washington’s athletic career was heading down a path towards football when he discovered that track and field – which he used as football training - might soon be his destiny. His life subsequently went in a different direction, resulting in appearances on the international stage at the World Championships, the Goodwill Games and other high-profile events.
He was a 200- and 400-meter champion at every level of competition, starting in high school in Riverside and later at nearby San Bernardino Valley College where he broke the national community college record in the 400 (44.52). Washington was one of the most dominant athletes in community college track and field, capping his 1997 season with state championships in both events.
He then took his talents to the sport’s highest level, capturing a bronze medal in the 400 at the Outdoor World Championships after winning gold at the USA Championships. Washington later added gold medals in the 400 at both the indoor and outdoor World Championships in 2003, a year which he went undefeated.
Washington was inducted into the Riverside Hall of Fame in 2013 and the San Bernardino Valley College Hall of Fame in 2017. He also established an anti-drug organization called “Drugs B Gone”, dedicated to educating youth on the destructive effects of drugs.
JOHN WOODS (Palomar College, Pacific Coast Athletic Conference; Coach/Athletic Director, Commissioner)
Woods has been synonymous with California Community College athletics for almost 50 years and has served as a coach and athletic director at Palomar College and in his current role as Pacific Coast Athletic Conference Commissioner, helping to expand and enrich opportunities for the thousands of student-athletes he’s come in contact with.
Wrestling was Woods’ passion during his career as a student-athlete, leading him to become a three-time All-American at Cal Poly, where he earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He took over the Palomar wrestling program in 1973, beginning a 15-year run in which he compiled an amazing 179-19-3 dual-meet record, winning four CCCAA State Championships and three CCCAA State Dual Championships.
For his efforts, Woods was named California and National Community College Coach of the Year four times each. He finished his career having coached 11 state champions and 51 All-Americans. He began his role as Palomar Athletics Director in 1986, building the Comets into one of the state’s largest, most diverse and comprehensive programs.
Woods retired from Palomar in 2007 but he wasn’t done yet, becoming commissioner for both the PCAC and the Southern California Wrestling Alliance. He is a member of seven Athletics Hall of Fames.
ROYCE YOUREE (West Hills College Coalinga; football, basketball and baseball student-athlete)
Seemingly everything that Royce Youree touched during his remarkable career as a multi-sport student-athlete and coach turned to gold, first as a football, basketball and baseball letterwinner at West Hills College Coalinga, later as a basketball star at Arizona State, and finally, as one of the most accomplished coaches in Arizona history.
West Hills provided the launching pad for his remarkable career in 1954-55, beginning with his lone season on the Falcons’ basketball team where he earned all-conference, all-state and All-America honors. Youree averaged 28.6 ppg. that season – second-best in the country – and helped highlight his year with a 58-point barrage against Cuesta College, setting a school record that still stands.
That one season was just a small taste of the greatness ahead. He took his talents to Arizona State, where he was a three-year starter, set a school record for made three throws (362) and helped ASU earn its first bid to the NCAA Tournament. He twice earned All-Border Conference recognition.
Youree had a brief professional baseball career before turning to the start of an impressive high school basketball coaching tenure that saw him post a 301-56 overall record, win five state championships during a 13-year period, and ultimately be named “Coach of the Century” by The Arizona Republic. Youree also enjoyed a very successful career as co-coach at Mesa Community College (126-37) and led the United States to the Junior Men’s World Championship in 1979.
He is a member of five Hall of Fames as well as the prestige Pac-10 Hall of Honor.