Santa Fe Saints Explained

Santa Fe Saints
University:Santa Fe College
Association:NJCAA
Conference:Mid-Florida
Panhandle
Central
Division:Division I
Location:Gainesville, Florida
Teams:5
Baseballfield:Santa Fe College Baseball Field
Mascot:Caesar
Nickname:Saints
Pageurl:https://www.santafesaints.com/

The Santa Fe Saints are the intercollegiate athletic teams that represent Santa Fe College, located in Gainesville. The Saints compete in the Mid-Florida Conference within Region 8 of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA).[1] Caesar, an anthropomorphic St. Bernard, serves as the mascot for the Saints.[2]

Sports

Baseball

Santa Fe is represented by a men's baseball team. In November 2022, the college announced a fundraising initiative for new baseball and softball facilities.[3] In 2016, the Saints secured their sixth Mid-Conference title in a ten-year span.[4]

Johnny Wiggs is the current head coach of the team. Under Wiggs, the team has won nine Mid-Florida Conference Championships and two FCSAA/NJCAA Region 8 State Championships.[5] The team also played in the 2009 JUCO World Series final, finishing as the runners-up.[6] Wiggs earned his 500th win with Santa Fe in 2022.[5] The team achieved its best start in program history in 2023, starting 14–0. That year marked Wiggs' 17th season as the head coach of the team.[7]

Mallex Smith and Keon Broxton are Sante Fe alumni who have played in Major League Baseball (MLB).[4]

Basketball

Both men's and women's basketball is played at Santa Fe. In 2022, the men's team won its eight conference title.[8] Women's basketball coach Chanda Stebbins notched her 300th career win as a coach in 2023.[9]

Softball

Santa Fe's women's softball team won the 2008 FSCAA Division I championship,[10] en route to being the runners-up in the NJCAA national tournament.

Volleyball

Santa Fe has a women's volleyball team. Under head coach Nick Cheronis, the Saints made a NJCAA Region 8/FCSAA State Tournament appearance in all seven of Cheronis' seasons with the team through 2021.[11]

Championships and national tournament appearances

In their history of intercollegiate competition, Santa Fe's athletic teams have won six NJCAA Region 8 state championships.[12] They have also notched eight national tournament appearances.[12] The women's softball and men's baseball teams were national tournament runner-ups in their sport in 2008 and 2009, respectively.[13] [14]

National tournament appearances

Men's teams
Women's teams

NJCAA Region 8 championships

Men's teams
Women's teams

Conference championships

Men's teams
Women's teams

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2023 NJCAA Region 8 Baseball Standings. Florida College System Activities Association. May 16, 2023.
  2. Web site: Join Caesar's Team. Santa Fe College. May 16, 2023.
  3. Santa Fe College Launches Fundraising Initiative for Championship Level Baseball/ Softball Facilities. Santa Fe College. November 23, 2022. May 16, 2023.
  4. Web site: Brockway. Kevin. No. 1 Santa Fe Saints baseball team pursues state title. registration. The Gainesville Sun. May 10, 2016. May 16, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20220517165446/https://www.gainesville.com/story/news/2016/05/10/no-1-santa-fe-saints-baseball-team-pursues-state-title/30428318007/. May 17, 2022.
  5. Web site: Baseball coach Johnny Wiggs wins his 500th game as Santa Fe College defeats Daytona State. registration. The Gainesville Sun. March 22, 2022. May 16, 2023. https://archive.today/20230516111537/https://www.gainesville.com/story/sports/college/baseball/2022/03/22/santa-fe-college-gainesville-saints-johnny-wiggs-mid-florida-conference/7124545001/#selection-366.0-366.1. May 16, 2023.
  6. Web site: SFC baseball to play for national title. registration. The Gainesville Sun. May 29, 2009. May 16, 2023. https://archive.today/20230516114814/https://www.gainesville.com/story/news/2009/05/29/sfc-baseball-to-play-for-national-title/31707699007/#selection-350.0-350.1. May 16, 2023.
  7. Web site: Tumetel. Cliff. Santa Fe Saints baseball off to best start in program history. CBS4. February 14, 2023. May 16, 2023.
  8. Web site: Men's Basketball Takes Home 2021-2022 Central Conference Crown. Santa Fe College. February 23, 2022. May 16, 2023.
  9. Web site: Wells. Kevin. Santa Fe's Chanda Stebbins picks up win No. 300 as Saints beat FSCJ, 59-54. WCJB. January 25, 2023. May 16, 2023.
  10. Web site: FCSAA Softball Champions. Florida College System Activities Association. May 16, 2023.
  11. Web site: Santa Fe College roundup: Volleyball's run concludes in 5 to No. 8 Polk State. registration. The Gainesville Sun. March 28, 2021. May 16, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20210416114519/https://www.gainesville.com/story/sports/2021/03/28/santa-fe-college-roundup-volleyballs-run-concludes-5-no-8-polk-state/7037038002/. April 16, 2021.
  12. Web site: Championship History. Santa Fe College. November 23, 2022. May 16, 2023.
  13. Web site: Coffey. Lisa. Lady Lions Capture First NJCAA National Crown. The Ledger. May 18, 2008. May 16, 2023.
  14. Web site: 2009 NJCAA DIVISION I BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP MAY 232009. National Junior College Athletic Association. 2009. May 16, 2023.

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