Seven honored in Trinity Valley College Hall of Fame induction

ATHENS, Texas (KETK)– Over the weekend, seven individuals were recognized and inducted into the Trinity Valley Community College (TVCC) Cardinal Hall of Fame for their undeniable impact on the athletic department.

An introduction ceremony was held at the Athens Country Club on Saturday evening. The Cardinal Hall of Fame was established in 2008, giving former student athletes, coaches and contributors a chance to be recognized for their contributions to the athletic department.

“It was a great day and ceremony, said Eddie Kite, Associate Vice President of Athletics and a member of the selection committee. “Each year, our inductees remind us how special The Valley is with their remarks. This year was no different.

Members who were inducted over the weekend include:

Wenceslao “Lightning” Aguilera

Former TVCC student Wenceslao Aguilera was inducted into the hall of fame on Saturday, honoring the outstanding contributions he made to the rodeo team.

During his time at TVCC from 2012 to 2014, Aguilera was a pivotal member of the team, being named champion header of the Southern Region and advancing to the College National Finals Rodeo.

After leaving TVCC, Aguilera went on to join the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, where he has established arena records and won multiple rodeos. Throughout his career, he has earned more than $400,000.

Shlonte Allen

Two-time NJCAA champion Shlonte Allen was also inducted into the hall of fame on Saturday for her contributions to the women’s basketball team during her time at TVCC.

Allen attended TVCC from 2012 to 2014 and was an invaluable member of the basketball team, where she helped lead the Lady Cardinals to back-to-back national championships and two conference titles.

During her time with the Cardinals, Allen averaged 15.8 points per game as a freshman and 18.5 as a sophomore. She was also named an NJCAA All-American both years and was named to the all-NJCAA tournament team as a freshman.

Following her time at TVCC, she went on to play at Texas A&M and Louisiana Tech before injuries ended her career.

Roosevelt Fuller Jr.

A former member of the men’s basketball team who still holds several program records, Rososevelt Fuller Jr, was inducted into the hall of fame on Saturday.

Fuller attended TVCC from 1970 to 1972 and was a prolific shooter during his time on the basketball team. During his sophomore year, Fuller put up 53 points against Navarro, establishing the single-game scoring record, which still remains intact today.

Fuller averaged 26.9 points and 15.0 rebounds per game during his sophomore season and was named an all-conference performer, and also received the team’s Outstanding Player Award following the season.

Fuller’s son, Trae, went on to play for the Cardinals from 2000 to 2002.

Al Harris

Former NFL defensive back Al Harris was inducted into the Cardinal Hall of Fame on Saturday, recognized for his outstanding contributions to the football team during his time at TVCC.

Harros attended TVCC from 1993 to 1994, and during his time in Athens he helped lead the Cardinals to two conference championships and a pair of bowl wins. He was also part of the Cardinals’ first-ever 12-0 season in 1994.

Following his time at TVCC, Harris went on to play at Texas A&M-Kingsville and was later drafted by Tampa Bay in the 1997 NFL Draft.

Harris went on to spend twelve seasons in the NFL playing primarily with the Green Bay Packers for seven years as a defensive back. During his career, Harris was named to two Pro Bowls and was later inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame in 2021.

He later retired from playing in 2011 and has been coaching in the NFL ever since. He is currently a member of the Chicago Bears coaching staff and previously served as assistant head coach for the Dallas Cowboys.

Darla Mansfield

Although she was not a student athlete at TVCC, Darla Mansfield was inducted into the hall of fame on Saturday for her contributions to the athletic department over 20 years as director of the drill team.

Mansfield served as director of the Cardettes from 1989 to 1991 and returned to Athens in 2000, where she reclaimed the position of director and held the role until 2022. During her tenure, Mansfield re-established many Cardette traditions, such as the “Cardette bounce,” and began other events like “Dance Your Heart Out Camp” that would become traditions.

Her tenure also saw the Cardette Showgirls evolve into a competitive dance team, resulting in national championships in 2017 and 2019 and two in 2021

Benny Rogers

East Texas journalist Benny Rogers was inducted into the Cardinal Hall of Fame on Saturday for his award-winning coverage of the Cardinals for the past 25 years.

Rogers originally attended TVCC in the 1970s and later returned to Athens to serve as the assistant public information officer and was later named sports information officer in 2012.

During his tenure, Rogers helped organize the Region XIV Conference Basketball Media Tipofff and was named a Region XIV legend in 2024 at the regional basketball tournament.

Rogers received numerous awards throughout his career, including NETPA, TPA, and APME awards. He was also awarded the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2006 at the TVCC homecoming.

Tosha Spain

The founder of the TVCC volleyball program, Tosha Spain, was inducted into the Cardinal Hall of Fame on Saturday.

Spain was tasked with starting the volleyball program in 2010, and quickly turned the program into consistent contenders. Spain left TVCC in 2019 after nine years and, through her tenure, led the Cardinals to a 185-119 record, going 75-19 the last three seasons.

Before starting the volleyball program at TVCC, she was the head coach of the Athens High School volleyball team, where she won 65 games and made two playoff appearances, including one trip to the regional semifinals.

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