Phoenix College athletes Chelsie Mesa and Lacy Goodman were inducted into the NJCAA Hall of Fame.
A dominant force at Phoenix College during the 2004 and 2005 seasons and later the University of Arizona, Chelsie Mesa stands as one of the most successful NJCAA student athletes. During her two-year career with the Bears as shortstop, she led Phoenix College to back-to-back NJCAA Division II National Championships in 2004 and 2005.
Mesa’s individual accolades while at Phoenix College:
- NJCAA Player of the Year (2004, 2005)
- Two-Time NJCAA First Team All-American (2004, 2005)
- First Team ACCAC and Region I (2004, 2005)
- NJCAA Region I Playoffs MVP (2004, 2005)
- NJCAA National Tournament MVP (2004, 2005)
- 2005 NJCAA Betty Jo Graber Female Student-Athlete of the Year
Mesa's performance in 2005 was particularly remarkable. She finished the season hitting .513 (11th nationally), drove in 75 RBIs (second nationally), and hit 13 home runs (fifth nationally), while anchoring the defense with elite athleticism and softball IQ.
Phoenix College Head Coach Heinz Mueller acknowledged Mesa's skills and character:"She is a five-tool player and exemplifies what women's softball is all about. Great eye-hand coordination, great arm and great speed. She knows the game and uses her talents to the max."
Mesa transferred to the University of Arizona, where she played second base. During the 2006 and 2007 seasons, Mesa helped lead the Wildcats to back-to-back NCAA National Championships, giving her an extraordinary four national titles in four collegiate seasons—two NJCAA and two NCAA championships. She continued to compete in two seasons of professional softball, where she earned All-Pro honors, and returned to Phoenix College Softball as part of the coaching staff in 2008 with the Bears winning another NJCAA National Championship. Her induction into the NJCAA Hall of Fame honors her remarkable statistics and trophies, but also her leadership, character, and lifelong contribution to the game of softball.
Lacy Goodman combined elite talent, a strong work ethic, and exceptional leadership to help sustain one of the most dominant eras in NJCAA softball history. Goodman competed for Phoenix College during the 2008 and 2009 softball seasons, where she established herself as one of the premier catchers in the nation. Her impact was immediate. During her two seasons, Phoenix College captured the 2008 NJCAA National Championship and followed with a national runner-up finish in 2009.
Goodman's list of accolades at Phoenix College:
- Two-Time NJCAA First Team All-American (2008, 2009)
- First Team ACCAC and Region I (2008, 2009)
- ACCAC/Region I Player of the Year
- Region I Playoffs MVP (2008, 2009)
- NJCAA National Championship MVP and Offensive Player of the Tournament (2008)
- NFCA Diamond Sports Catcher of the Year (2008, 2009)
Behind the plate and in the batter's box, Goodman set the tone for practices and championship moments with consistency and confidence. Her approach of fostering unity and trust within the locker room resonated deeply with teammates and coaches alike.
Mueller praised Goodman’s impact on the team: "Lacy could have gone Division I coming out of high school, but she was determined to keep our string of national championships going. The game came easy to Lacy, and she showed it every day in practice and in games. Her teammates loved her attitude toward them and the program. It was an honor to have coached her."
Goodman transferred to Arizona State University, where she continued serving as a catcher and designated player at the Division I level. In 2010, the Sun Devilscaptured the NCAA National Championship.
Her induction into the NJCAA Hall of Fame recognizes a student-athlete who dominated statistically, but who also embodied the values of loyalty, toughness, and excellence that define Phoenix College Softball.
Congratulations to Lacy Goodman and Chelsie Mesa! Their legacies will stand as a benchmark for future Bears—proof that greatness is measured not only by titles and awards, but by the lasting impact left on a program and its people.