Merrill Kelly
How Arizona native Merrill Kelly’s long, winding path led him to pitching for hometown team in World Series.
Read more about MerrillHaley (Shackelford) Neufeld
Jenna (Rodriguez) DiPrima
Roger Espinoza
After starting his standout soccer career with Yavapai College in 2005 and 2006, Roger Espinoza (currently a midfielder for Sporting Kansas City) can now add to his trophy case as he is set to receive the United Soccer Coaches 2021 Honorary All-America Award along with his wife (Lo'eau LaBonta) who is a midfielder the Kansas City Current.
"I can't think of a better pair for the association to award as Honorary All-Americans for our 2022 United Soccer Coaches Convention in Kansas City," said Geoff VanDeusen, Incoming United Soccer Coaches Chief Executive Officer. "Roger Espinoza and Lo'eau LaBonta have made their mark on the Kansas City soccer landscape and they exemplify what it means to carry the title as Honorary All-Americans."
The pair will be presented with their awards at the association's All-America Ceremony which takes place at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 22 during the United Soccer Coaches Convention. Also at the convention, former men's soccer coach Mike Pantalioine (Espinoza's coach while at YC) will be inducted into the association's Hall of Fame in the Class of 2022.
About Espinoza and LaBonta
A beloved figure at Sporting Kansas City and a former Honduras international player, Roger Espinoza is a staple in the midfield and in Kansas City. Espinoza began his college playing career at Yavapai College, earning first team All-America honors as a sophomore and ACCAC Athlete of the Year honors for all sports before transferring to Ohio State. In his junior season with the Buckeyes, Espinoza helped advance the team to the College Cup national championship game and earned first-team All-Big Ten, second-team all-region, and earned a spot on the NCAA College Cup All-Tournament Team in the process.
Forgoing his senior year of college, Espinoza signed a Generation Adidas contract with Major League Soccer, being selected by the then Kansas City Wizards in 2008. In his first five years with the club, Espinoza appeared in 113 regular season matches and helped Sporting to victory in the 2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Espinoza was also named an MLS All-Star in 2012. In addition to his time in Kansas City, Espinoza was called up to the Honduras national team for the UNCAF Nations Cup 2009, 2012 London Olympics, and the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups.
After the 2012 Open Cup victory, Espinoza signed with the English Premier League's Wigan Athletic, winning the FA Cup with the team just one year later in 2013. Espinoza returned to Sporting Kansas City, lifting the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup again in 2015 and 2017. Additionally, in 2021 the midfielder took an assistant coaching role with the Sporting KC Academy as part of his B License courses in the U.S. Soccer Coaching Education program, serving as a U-13 assistant to Luis Pacheco.
2021 1st Roughrider Golf Classic
Thank you YC Alumni, current students, coaches, Hall of Famers and friends for playing in the 1st Annual Roughrider Athletics Golf Classic benefiting our student athletes. The inaugural event took place on Friday, September 24, 2021 at Antelope Hills Golf Course. Special thanks to Care1st Health Plan Arizona – Title Sponsor and HHS – Presenting Sponsor for supporting the event.
Prior to the event, Director of Athletics Brad Clifford said, "This is such an exciting time for Yavapai College. Unlike many, our department is growing and we are excited to grow with the Prescott community. This golf tournament is going to be a great time and a great continuation of that growth."
Clearly a good time was had by all.
Director of Athletics Brad Clifford
Prescott Valley Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Marnie Uhl
Golfers after an amazing day on the links!
1982 Women's B-Ball
Mike Pantalione
During Head Soccer Coach Mike Pantalione's tenure as head coach of the Roughriders, Yavapai has become the most successful junior college soccer program in the nation with 7 National Championships, 19 Final Fours, a combined 43 Region and District titles, along with 28 Conference titles
More on Coach Pantalione2021 Athletics Hall of Fame
The Yavapai College Athletics Department is proud to announce the induction of its 2021 Hall of Fame Class.
Wombacher, Huckeby and several members from the 1986 team returned to Prescott this past weekend where they attended the induction ceremony at the Prescott Resort.
Read MoreJuliette Tygret
"Yavapai College helped me by bringing me to my best friends, they helped me push myself and helped me create the women I am today. They pushed me at my lowest point to keep going and are still pushing me to be my best everyday."
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Coach Bell was the hired in 1992 as the first men's soccer assistant coach. Since at YC Hugh has been an integral part of 6 NJCAA National Tournament Titles.
More on Coach BellJP Searce
JP's story is one of personal determination, positive attitude, lack of ego, and tremendous self belief. He took a decidedly non traditional path to his first professional touch for Union Omaha, but from the time he first started kicking a soccer ball on the sidelines of his sister's soccer game in Nogales, AZ, he knew he wanted to go pro.
More on JP SearceMatt and Arthur Mendibles Jr.
Father and son baseball players, generational YC team members, shortstops, and number "6"
More on the MendiblesBrandon Fischer
Congrats and shout out to YC Alumnus Brandon Fischer, born and raised in Prescott Valley, Brandon played soccer for Bradshaw Mountain and Yavapai College. He was the kicker for the Bradshaw Mountain football team for a couple of seasons and recently tried out for Prescott Valley’s new Indoor Football League team the Northern Arizona Wranglers – and is now a member of the inaugural team.
Fast forward about 15 mins & watch Brandon’s interview with Cronkite News, the news division of Arizona PBS
Watch Brandon's InterviewJoJo Romero
Fourth-round pick by the Philadelphia Phillies in MLB's 2016 draft, Minor League Pitcher of the Year
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