Santa Barbara City College
Press Release - 2024 Hall of Fame Event
Posted: April 12, 2024
The Santa Barbara City College Athletics Department has announced its 2024 class for the SBCC Vaqueros Hall of Fame: Frank Carbajal (posthumously), Jessica Domenichelli, Mike Fryer, Russ Hafferkamp, Ben Howland, Asaka Sim, and the 1989 Men's Tennis Team with Coach Jack Sanford.
We will be honoring them on Friday, May 31st from 5-8 PM at the SBCC Sports Pavilion Patio. Established in 2019, the SBCC Athletics Hall of Fame recognizes former Vaqueros who have had a lasting impact on the culture of excellence at SBCC.
"The Class of 2024 is composed of athletes and coaches who were incredible during their time at Santa Barbara City College and have had amazing careers after SBCC," said Director of Athletics, LaDeane Hansten. "We look forward to honoring the impact our inductees have had on our school, their sport, and the lives of their numerous family, friends, teammates, coaches, and athletes. Please join us as we celebrate their achievements as Vaqueros and beyond."
Induction Celebration
5 pm | Reception dinner, wine, and honoree photos
6 pm | Honoree induction, program, and fantastic memories!
Tickets
$50 available online at sbccvaqueros.com/
or by contacting Athletics Administrative Assistant Ashley Farias at amfarias1@sbcc.edu or (805) 965-0581 x2276.
Frank Carbajal
Men's Basketball Coach
1978-1988
Say the name Frank Carbajal to basketball fans in Santa Barbara and many will remember the humorous, if not entertaining, coach of the Vaqueros from 1978-1988. Often the quipster, Carbajal took over an extremely successful program from legendary coach, Ed DeLacy, and was asked if he could fill the shoes of the latter. Carbajal was quick to point out and note, "I brought my own shoes." Indeed, he did, as his teams won 21 or more games in seven out of his eleven years at the helm, reaching two California State Final Fours, and a State Runner Up trophy in 1984. The Vaqueros won 4 Western State Conference titles, were often ranked in California's top ten, and produced 6 JC All Americans under Carbajal, while utilizing the local talent to his advantage in All Americans:
Gerry Karczewski, 1983 grad (San Marcos, 1981)
Gordon Betancourt, 1984 grad (Dos Pueblos, 1981).
Carbajal's reach extended into many parts of the country, as well as the International pool with the remaining 4 All Americans:
Chris McNealy (1981 grad from Fresno), Ron Anderson (1982 grad from Chicago), Francisco Leon (1984 grad from Puerto Rico), Bijou Baly (1986 grad from US Virgin Islands) Anderson and McNealy would enjoy long careers in the NBA and beyond.
Carbajal's list of accomplishments would not end at SBCC; he is enshrined in the following Halls of Fame:
California Community College Association, State of Colorado Sports, University of Northern Colorado, Santa Barbara Basketball Court of Champions, Greeley Central High School, and now Santa Barbara City College.
"Many of Dad's best years in coaching were those he spent in Santa Barbara. He loved the community support and often received help from many local businesses," said son, DeRon who played for "Carb" from 1981-1983. Carbajal's influence would continue even after retiring as granddaughter, Leslie Steele, starred for the Vaqueros from 2010-2012 and was a First Team All-WSC North selection in basketball.
A stickler for life lessons, Carbajal would often state that basketball "was a microcosm of life. Our players were students first and if I was not preparing these student-athletes for the game of life, first and foremost, then I'd have failed in my mission of being their coach." Frank Carbajal did that and more until his passing in 2016 from Progressive Supranuclear Palsy.
Jessica Domenichelli
Women's Soccer
2010-2011
Jessica Domenichelli is from El Dorado Hills, CA and was a 4-year varsity soccer team member at Oak Ridge High School (2006-2009). Domenichelli scored 36 goals in her 4-year career and as a team captain led the Trojans to a 9-1-2 record her senior year with a high of 16 goals and 36 points.
In 2010, she joined the Santa Barbara City College soccer team, starting her career with four goals in the season opener. She had a record-breaking season of 25 goals and 58 points her freshman year, earning All-WSC North First Team honors. In 2011, Domenichelli led the team to its first WSC North title in school history with a 16-3-0 regular season record, crowning her Female Athlete of the Year by the Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table. She was also named College Soccer Athlete of the Year in both 2010 and 2011. Domenichelli recorded 4 straight hat tricks in 2011 and was named California Community College Athlete of the month in October. In the 2011 season, Domenichelli broke her own record, scoring 27 goals, and recording 64 points. She was the second leading scorer in the state and the conference MVP WSC North player of the year. She currently holds the 2-year career record for goals (52) and points (122) at Santa Barbara City College.
After her two-year career at SBCC, Domenichelli transferred to play Division 1 soccer for Arizona State University. With the Sun Devils, she played 19 career games with five starts and was one of the team's top reserves before suffering a season ending knee injury in the second game of 2013 at Texas A&M. In her 2014 senior season, Domenichelli was named one of five team leaders and scored the game winner in ASU's 2-0 win at CSU Northridge. That season the Sun Devils (12-6-4) made it to the second round of the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2003. Graduating from ASU she earned a bachelor's degree in Accounting and master's degree of Taxation. Domenichelli currently lives in Shingle Springs, CA and is a certified public accountant working for KPMG.
From Coach John Sisterson: "Jessica was a member of the 2010 and 2011 women's soccer team and was WSC Player of the Year and also WSC All Conference First Team. She was leading goal scorer both years, and also points leader both years. She was an extremely quick, technically gifted player and a team player. Admired by her teammates and coaches alike, she deserved all the accolades she got as she was a model student athlete both on and off the field. She always had a smile on her face, was a pleasure to coach and she had a work ethic that was second to none!"
Ben Howland
Men's Basketball
1975-1977
Lifetime Achievement
Ben grew up in Goleta, attended Dos Pueblos High School, and later graduated from Cerritos High School in 1975. He then attended and played two seasons at SBCC for Ed DeLacy (1975-77). His sophomore year he played on the 31-4 team that won the
Western State Conference and went on to place second at the CCCAA State Championship and was subsequently named All-WSC for his efforts.
He started his coaching career as a grad assistant at Gonzaga under Jay Hillok ('81-'82) and was an assistant coach at the University of California, Santa Barbara from 1982-94. He was the Northern Arizona Head Coach from 1994-1999, where they won the Big Sky Conference in both 1996-97 and 1997-98. In 1998, with an automatic bid, he led the 15th ranked Lumberjacks to their first NCAA Tournament appearance in school history. From 1999-2003, he was the Head Coach at the University of Pittsburgh where they were Big East Champion in '02 and '03 and won the school's first ever Big East Tournament in 2003.
From 2003-2013, during an amazing tenure at UCLA, Coach Howland produced top tier recruiting classes and led the Bruins to four PAC 12 Championships ('06, '07, '08, '13) and three consecutive Final Four appearances ('06, '07, '08). From 2015-2022, he coached Mississippi State and again made a March Madness appearance, making the Bulldogs the fourth team in a row to be led by Howland to the NCAA Tournament.
His Coach of the Year accolades are a snapshot in time of his incredible career: 1997 - Big Sky Coach of the Year
2002 - Big East Coach of the Year
2002 - NCAA National Coach of the Year
2006 - PAC 12 Coach of the Year
Asaka Sim
Women's Golf
2008-2009
Asaka started playing golf at a young age and loved it, but wanted to try other sports. After realizing she was too competitive in contact sports, she decided to commit to golf at the age of 13; there were ups and downs with the sport. She never took it too seriously until reaching SBCC. The summer after graduating from Dos Pueblos she decided, with her grandmother's guidance, to continue to play golf at the next level. She would practice every single day and workout to get stronger and become a better player. She had never played on a team with her sister, but at SBCC she finally got that chance. They were constantly competing with each other (more likely she was determined not to lose to her older sister) and it drove her to being WSC player of the year along with winning the state title as a team and individually.
Asaka said, "Having a wonderful coach who understood my drive of wanting to win, Chuck pushed me to be better. I was honored with being Female Athlete of the Year, where I sat next to the male athlete of the year, my now husband. I was offered a scholarship at East Tennessee state university, graduated and continued my career in golf as a professional a few years after. SBCC has not only played a huge role in my success as a student athlete but my entire life today."
From Coach Chuck Melendez:
Asaka Sim was an exceptional student athlete for the SBCC Women's Golf team 2008 & 2009 seasons. She was our team leader and captain both years. Asaka was All WSC and League Champion both years, she was 1st Team All State both years. She was the individual State Champion in 2008 and led our team to the Team State Championship.
The second day of the State Championship we were down 8 strokes. I tossed and turned all night (after the first day) thinking about what I was going to tell them the next morning. Having a chance at a State Championship does not come to athletes very often. "It's what we dream about." The next morning I unintentionally got emotional while expressing to the team the importance of taking advantage of their opportunity. I asked each player to shoot 5 strokes better than their previous score; I told them I want the State Championship.
When our team was warming up for the second day I went up to Asaka and told her, "Not only do I want a Team Championship, I want an individual State Champion, and that is you". All of our players met our stroke goals, and Asaka passed everyone up to win the State Individual Championship. This is my favorite team, and Asaka led the way!
Russ Hafferkamp
Men's Water Polo
1972-1973
Lifetime Achievement
Russ participated in only the second year of water polo at Santa Barbara High School where he was selected Most Valuable Player before entering SBCC in the fall of and further developing his skills during the 1972 and 73 seasons. Russ led the team in scoring during both his freshman and sophomore years, with an incredible 92 and 53 goals, respectively. At the time, Coach Dave Gray said, "Haffer is our best all around player. He's big and strong and has the best potential to become an All-American." He did that and much more!
Russ went on to an NCAA All-American career at UC Santa Barbara, time with Team USA leading up to the 1980 Olympic boycott, and ultimately becoming a perennial USA All-American selection and champion that spans a 40-year-plus playing career internationally and at the US open and masters level. Hafferkamp has been a key part of more than 34 U.S. national championship teams and 6 FINA Masters world championships, garnering numerous awards and introductions into the USA Water Polo Hall of Fame, the Olympic Club Hall of Fame, and the International Swimming Hall of Fame. Hafferkamp has also served as a member of the U.S. Water Polo Executive Committee, and as a member of the U.S. Water Polo Board of Governors and Board of Directors.
Almost concurrently, Hafferkamp has always found time to be more than an athlete. He has coached over 20+ years with a variety of programs including UC Santa Barbara, UC San Diego, Cal Poly SLO and Cal Berkeley. In addition to serving 12+ years in governance of USA Water Polo, he has also served with NBC Sports during each of the Olympic Games' water polo broadcasts since Sydney 2000. A longtime advocate and counselor in helping athletes transition from sports to the working world, Hafferkamp authored the book "CareerBall: The Sport Athletes Play When They're Through Playing Sports" to focus on the topic. Hafferkamp remains active in the game today, coaching, playing, and volunteering within the sport of water polo.
Mike Fryer
Football
1970-1971
As a Santa Barbara High School athlete, Mike excelled as a wide-receiver, a punter, and was an All-Channel League Defensive Back. He was also a three-year starter at shortstop and a pitcher on the DONS' baseball team. He enrolled at SBCC and focused on football as a wide receiver in 1970 and switched to free safety in 1971 at the request of 3rd-year Head Coach Bob Dinaberg and Defensive Coordinator Carmen DiPoalo, who needed to replace an All-Conference performer that had graduated. He also handled the punting duties both seasons and held the single season punting average for 10 years. The Vaqueros were Western State Conference Champions and played in the California JC Playoffs each season. The 1971 team had a then school record 9-2 overall and 6-0 in conference play and took Coach Dinaberg to his third consecutive playoff game.
At the completion of the 1971 season, Mike's 11-interceptions were #1 in the State and tied the national record. This record still stands as the Vaqueros single season record, maintaining a 52-year streak! Mike was named Vaqueros & WSC Defensive Player of the Year, First Team All-State, and was an Honorable Mention JC Gridwire All-American along with teammate Booker Brown who was a consensus First Team pick.
Mike was heavily recruited and chose to attend UCLA on a full scholarship where he started at free safety and punter on the nationally ranked Bruins team that went 17-5 during his two seasons, including an upset win over 2-time defending champion, 33-game unbeaten streak Nebraska. Following his college career, in 1974 he was a Graduate Assistant Coach at UCLA for Dick Vermeil and signed as a free agent with the LA Rams in 1975 & 1976. After his athletic career, he spent 40 years with Penske Corporation providing sales leadership/management, and a unique coaching and development platform that ensured the success for 30+ sales executives in the Western Region. Upon his retirement, the company was the #1 Transportation Services Company in the Country and remains so today.
1989 Men's Tennis Team & Coach Jack Sanford
Santa Barbara City College is proud to be honoring one of our many 3C2A State Championship teams this year with the induction of the 1989 Men's Tennis Team and their coach, Jack Sanford. Team members the year of the State Championship were Billy Miller, Lance Kronberg, Sean Angel, Dayne Gingrich, Fred Lageman, Rafael Wolfe, Shannon Peace, Pete Gerstenfeld, and Chris Gorman. They had an amazing run of 24-2 overall and 15-1 in the Western State Conference. Also that year, Billy Miller defeated Ed Peregrino from Saddleback to clinch the Men's Community College singles event, while Angel and Gingrich brought home the doubles Finalist honors.
This team definitely lived up to Coach Sanford's philosophy of 'Competing the entire contest to the best of your ability.' Of his team, Coach Sanford says, "The 1989 team was the most successful tennis team I ever coached at SBCC and five of the six players were from local high schools. One of the most amazing aspects of the Championship match held on the home courts of the undefeated West Valley team was the fact that four of the West Valley team members were from out of the country and the other two were from out of state. Wow! As the coach of this highly talented team, my main task was to keep all the players fit and happy because they all wanted to be higher on the ladder."
Coach Sanford's career highlights include:
1950-54 US Air Force Tactical Instructor
1963 Delivered one of my own sons
2006 Awarded Family of the Year by the Southern California Tennis Association WSC coach of the year several times
1992 Wilson C.C. Coach of the Year
1993 California Coaches Association Coach of the Year
1997 CA C.C. Distinguished Service Award
1998 Inducted into SB Athletic Hall Of Fame
2016 Inducted into the Santa Barbara Tennis Patrons Hall of Fame Jack and his wife, Catherine, will celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary in 2025
