On Saturday, June 7, MiraCosta College transformed its brand-new gym into something unforgettable. The College hosted its inaugural Athletic Hall of Fame ceremony, a tribute to the athletes, coaches, and teams who laid the foundation for MiraCosta’s enduring athletic legacy. This celebration was a long-awaited moment of recognition, decades in the making.
For the first time, the College formally honored the names and stories that built MiraCosta sports from the ground up. Some honorees hadn’t seen each other in years, and they returned with pride, carrying the memories of where it all began.
There were tears, applause, and stories that reminded everyone why this matters.
This new gym hadn’t hosted their games, but it was a space to honor the people who made everything possible. More than a building, it became a place for memory, meaning, and legacy to take center court.
The Athletic Hall of Fame does more than preserve the past. It brings it to life.
The 2025 inductees included:
- Willie Buchanon – NFL Rookie of the Year, All-Pro, and multi-sport athlete
- Clete Adelman – Head basketball coach and athletic director for 27 years
- Chris Chambliss – MLB Rookie of the Year and World Series champion
- Joe Paopao – CFL quarterback and longtime coach
- John Seeley – Influential MiraCosta baseball coach and posthumous inductee
- Roxanne de Mik – Coach who led volleyball and basketball, and shaped lives
- 1975 Baseball Team – State champions who defined MiraCosta baseball
- 1980 and 1981 Women’s Volleyball Teams – Back-to-back state champions
One of the most memorable moments came with the induction of Willie Buchanon, a two-sport standout at MiraCosta who went on to an acclaimed NFL career with the Green Bay Packers and San Diego Chargers. His success at the highest level of the sport is well known, but on this day, Buchanon spoke about what came before, the foundation built at MiraCosta.
“MiraCosta gave me more than a start. It gave me coaches who believed in me and pushed me further than I thought I could go,” he said, reflecting on his time as a student-athlete. “I’m proud to come from this place.”
Volleyball alum Jody (Pritchard) Whaley, honored as part of the 1980 and 1981 championship teams, called it one of the best days of her life. “It brought us back together. We laughed, we remembered, and we realized how many incredible people came through this College. It was unforgettable.”
Athletic Director Patrick Conahan reflected on the impact of the day. “The best part was seeing people reconnect after decades. You could feel it in the room. These stories showed why athletics matter and how college sports can leave a lifelong impact.”
What started as a ceremony became a reunion; a celebration of legacy, perseverance, and the people who helped shape MiraCosta athletics.
To every inductee, teammate, coach, and supporter who made this moment possible, thank you. The Athletic Hall of Fame is not just a milestone. It is the beginning of a new tradition that honors the past and inspires what comes next.
