2018 Hall of Fame Inductees

Distinguished Coach - Bob Foerster (Basketball) – For 11 seasons (1971-82), Bob Foerster served as the Cerritos College men’s basketball coach. During his tenure, Foerster led his teams to a 209-118 record and three conference championships (1973, 1975 and 1980), was named the conference’s Coach of the Year four time and the State Coach of the Year in 1975. He was known for his exemplary work in the classroom, as well as on the basketball coach with his organizational skills, coupled with his affable personality. In 1982, Foerster came down with a disease that left him physically impaired and unable to no longer run the men’s program. He was asked by new women’s head coach Karen Welliver to serve on her staff in 1983. Required to use a walker to get around, Foerster never let his illness keep him from anything related to coaching. His strength resonated with the women’s team and the following year, they won their first conference championship in the program’s history and reached the state semifinals. Foerster remains active and serves as an inspiration to anyone who has been slowed by a disability.






Distinguished Male Athlete - Willie Joseph (Basketball) - During the peak of the LA Lakers “Showtime”, led by Magic Johnson, Cerritos College had their own version of Johnson. For two seasons (1985-87), Willie Joseph provided as much excitement for the fans with his up-tempo style of play and high-flying dunks. Joseph led the Falcons to two South Coast Conference championships and still ranks second on the school’s all-time scoring list. His ability to cut through defenses and score points in bunches is one of the main reasons the Cerritos teams combined for a 57-8 record in his two seasons and earned him a pair of 1sy Team All-SCC selections, as well as All-State recognition. In his freshman year, Joseph averaged 17 points a game, shot 54% from the field and followed that with a 22.7 points-per-game sophomore season and left him tied for second place in school history for most points in a season (749). Known for his consistent play, Joseph recorded only three 30-point games in his career and shot over 54% from the field both seasons. He received a scholarship to New Mexico State University, where he was a two-year starter. Joseph is currently a Youth Participation Officer in Tasmania, Australia and coaches youth basketball.





Distinguished Female Athlete - Samie (Garcia) Zuidema (Softball) - Recording one of the most successful seasons in the college’s softball history, Samie Garcia is at or near the top of multiple categories based on her 2010 season. She set a school record with a .519 batting average and 10 triples, while she stole 29 bases and drew 23 walks. She went 69-for-133 at the plate and drove in 34 runs for the Falcons, who went 39-6 on the season and won the South Coast Conference title. For her efforts, Garcia was recognized as the National Player of the Year, as well as State Player of the Year, Southern California Player of the Year, SCC Player of the Year and earned All-American honors. Garcia transferred to the University of South Carolina after her freshman season and went on to earn to be named Easton All-America 1st Team, Coaches All-Southeastern Conference 2nd Team, CollegeSportsMadness.com All-SEC 2nd Team and was named to the SEC Spring Academic Honor Roll as a senior. She was an All-SEC 2nd Team pick her junior year, as well as being named to the Academic Honor Roll. For her three-year career at the University of South Caroline, Garcia’s name is peppered throughout their single-season a career record book. She led her team in multiple categories each season and finished her career with a .364 batting average, which ranks third overall in school history. At the conclusion of her collegiate career, Garcia was drafted 13th overall by the New York/New Jersey Comets of the National FastPitch League in 2013 also played for the Pennsylvania Rebellion.