VC Athletics Announces 2026 Hall of Fame Class

The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics will host its 18th Hall of Fame Induction and Student Athlete Recognition Banquet on Sunday May 17, 2026 at the beautiful Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach Hotel. Six distinguished honorees will be inducted as the newest Hall of Fame members and each of the Pirates' 20 intercollegiate sports will send their best and brightest to be recognized for outstanding achievement on the playing field and in the classroom. We will also summarize our 2025-26 athletic team and individual student athlete achievements, recognize our conference Coach of the Year award winners and crown our 2025-26 Male and Female Scholar Athletes and Male and Female Athletes of the Year concluding our celebration of 100 years of Ventura College Pirate Athletics

Please join us for the festivities that begin at 4:00 pm with a social hour followed at 5:00 pm with dinner and at 6:00 pm with the Hall of Fame Induction and Student Athlete Awards. Those interested in attending can purchase tickets online.

Any questions can be directed to Ventura College Athletic Director Jimmy Walker at jwalker1@vcccd.edu. 

Our 2026 Hall of Fame inductees include:

Will Cowen, Athletic Director, 2009-2018
* Athletic Director for five state championships, 67 conference championships and 18 state scholar teams.
* Helped guide VC Athletics to five Top-10 rankings in NATYCCA Cup standings for overall excellence in among California Community College schools.
* Named 2018 Junior College/Community College Athletic Director of the Year by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics.
* Served as Head Men's Basketball Coach in 2010 & 2011, assisted with VC football, Men's Basketball and Women's Basketball programs.

Jennifer (Corral) Dalhauser, '01, Pirate Volleyball
* Ranks in VC career Top-10 in seven statistical categories.
* Named CCCVBCA All-State honoree, 2001.
* 2-time All-WSC honoree first team in 2001 and second team in 2000.
* Helped Lead VC to fourth-place finish in the state, 2000, WSC title in 2001.

Gabe Diaz '90, Pirate Baseball
* Starting Shortstop for 1989 Western State Conference champions and 1990 Pirates
* Ranks in Top-10 All-Time seven offensive categories, Top-20 in two more.
* Started all 74 career games at shortstop, earned All-WSC honors in 1990.
* Transferred to Cal Lutheran University, played on NCAA Division III national runner-up, 1992.
 
Edwin Hawkins, Contributor
* Championed all VC athletics for over 40 years
* Attended every home women's and men's basketball game for over 20 years, and attended most home football games.
* Volunteered to supervise women's basketball tournament hospitality rooms for over 15 years.
* A member of a historical Ventura family who have had a legacy existence.

Peder Nielsen, Equipment Manager, 1985-2019
* Worked in VC Athletic Department for 34 years, including 13 state championships and 18 WSC Supremacy Awards
* Twice named Athletic Equipment Managers Association District 9 Equipment Manager of the Year
* Served as VC Classified Senate President & on the State Classified Senate.
* Twice awarded VCCCD Classified Employee of the Year and named State Classified Employee of the Year.

Yadira Toraya '11, Women's Soccer
* All-Western State Conference first team in 2010 and second team in 2009.
* Helped Pirates to 2009 3C2A State Final Four, 2010 3C2A State Elite Eight and 2010 WSC championship.
* Transferred to Kansas Wesleyan University, two-time All-American and conference Defensive Player of the Year.
* Played with Mexican Women's National Team and was first alternate for 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup squad.