ATHLETICS UPDATE
Men’ s Baseball: Making History
Leadership Spotlight
Lyndon Coleman, Athletic Director, Head Baseball Coach
Coach Coleman was awarded the national coach of the year by the American Baseball Coaches Association, as well as coach of the year by the Florida Diamond Club.
Lyndon Coleman, Athletic Director and Head Baseball Coach, checking out the field during the NJCAA Div. II 2025 World Series
2025 Championship Team celebrating the unveiling of their championship sign during their Ring Ceremony; photo by Tim McClain.
PHSC baseball continues to set the gold standard ahead of their spring season. Members of the 2025 NJCAA Division II National Championship Team were honored this past December during a special ring ceremony celebrating the program’ s first national title. Players, coaches and key contributors received custom championship rings, while the College unveiled a new championship banner in the gymnasium and a permanent sign at Withlacoochee River Electric Co-op Park in left field, ensuring this historic achievement will be remembered for generations. PHSC thanks Withlacoochee River Electric Co-op for their donations and support for PHSC Athletics. Read more about the ceremony on page 10.
Cross Country: Elite Consistency
PHSC cross country has quietly become one of the most consistent programs in the region. The men’ s cross country team was the highest-ranked junior college team at the Swan City XC Opener and captured the JUCO team title at the FGC Invitational. They continued their strong showing with a second-place finish at the NJCAA / FCSAA Region 8 Championship and another runner-up placement among NJCAA Division II colleges at the NJCAA Half- Marathon Championships.
The women’ s cross country team also delivered impressive results, finishing fourth among junior colleges at the FSU Pre-Regional Meet and third among JUCO teams at the FGC Invitational.
Both teams proudly hosted the annual Bobcat 5K & 1 Mile Trot on November 2, welcoming more than 170 runners. The event was one of the fastest in the race’ s 20-year history, with Malik Millett winning the men’ s title in 15:37 and Claudia Cancello claiming the women’ s crown in 17:26.
Phil Gaffney, Assistant Athletic Director, Head Basketball Coach
Coach Gaffney, a seasoned basketball coach, has a background that includes coaching at both major universities and colleges in the NCAA, NJCAA, FCSAA and GCAA. His guidance has led to success in the junior college world with four different schools breaking their records for most single-season wins under his leadership, and he is excited to bring that expertise to PHSC as the new assistant athletic director and head basketball coach.
Kaci Vassallo, Head Softball Coach
Coach Vassallo, a seasoned NJCAA Division 1 assistant coach, has a 73-54 conference record and is looking to stride and take leadership with her first head coach role at PHSC.
Kaci Vassallo, Head Softball Coach, watching the team play during a home game
Phil Gaffney, Assistant Athletic Director, Head Basketball Coach, analyzing the team play during a home game
22 PHSC