Cecil College Athletics Hall of Fame Inducts Class of 2026

NORTH EAST, Md: On Saturday, March 28, Cecil College Athletics Hall of Fame proudly inducted its Class of 2026, celebrating the remarkable achievements of seven icons who have left an indelible mark on the College's athletic programs. The Hall of Fame was established to recognize individuals who, through participation, support, or interest, made outstanding contributions to the College’s athletic programs or brought recognition to Cecil College.

The induction ceremony took place in the Technology Center's conference room on the North East Campus, where the Hall of Fame committee - comprising alumni, current coaches, and staff - bestowed honors upon seven exceptional individuals: Victor Akinyanju, Jeff Bonsall, Sean Grugan, Jason Rust, Alexis Stubblefield, Brittanie (Walter) Krauss, and Craig Winder.

The Hall of Fame recognizes excellence across several categories, including student-athletes, coaches, administrators, teams, and community supporters. Inductees were selected based on criteria such as exceptional athletic performance, leadership, sportsmanship, and meaningful contributions to the success and growth of Cecil College athletics.

The Class of 2026 include:

Victor Akinyanju – Men’s Basketball (2002–2005)

Victor Akinyanju established himself as one of the most dominant rebounders and defensive forces in Cecil College men’s basketball history. During his time with the Seahawks, he averaged 9.1 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game, both program records, and finished his career as the program’s all-time leader in total rebounds (619) and blocks (179). Akinyanju also contributed 661 career points while helping lead the Seahawks to two Region 20 championships, one Maryland JUCO Conference championship, and two appearances in the NJCAA National Tournament. His performance earned him All-Region 20 and All-Maryland JUCO Conference honors.

After Cecil, Akinyanju continued his career at Quinnipiac University, where he played in 49 games and averaged 7.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game. During one standout performance, he set a program record with 22 free throw attempts in a single game while also collecting 21 rebounds, tied for the second-highest single-game total in Quinnipiac history.

Jeff Bonsall – Baseball (1982–1984)

Jeff Bonsall was a standout pitcher for the Seahawks during the 1983 and 1984 seasons, leading the team in wins in both years. His dominance on the mound placed him among the top five in program history for career wins and strikeouts. Bonsall earned All-Maryland JUCO Conference honors and was a two-time All-Region 20 selection during his career at Cecil.

In 1984, Bonsall’s success culminated with NJCAA All-American recognition and selection in the 18th round of the Major League Baseball Draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates. Following his playing career, he remained closely connected to the sport by founding Bonsall Bats, a company that supplies bats to Major League organizations, collegiate programs, and youth leagues.

Sean Grugan – Athletic Trainer (2001–2016)

Sean Grugan dedicated 15 years to Cecil College as an athletic trainer, providing essential support to countless student-athletes across multiple sports. Throughout his tenure, he played a vital role in maintaining the mental and physical well-being of Cecil athletes, helping them recover from injuries and remain prepared for competition.

In addition to his responsibilities in sports medicine, Grugan frequently assisted with the upkeep of Cecil’s athletic facilities, including the courts and playing fields. His behind-the-scenes efforts and unwavering commitment to student-athlete health made him a valued and respected member of the Cecil College athletics community.

Jason Rust – Baseball (2001–2003)

Jason Rust delivered one of the most prolific offensive careers in Cecil College baseball history. Playing outfield for the Seahawks during the 2002 and 2003 seasons, he compiled a remarkable .476 career batting average with 32 home runs and 123 RBIs. As a freshman, Rust led the entire NJCAA with a .514 batting average and 21 home runs. He followed that performance with a sophomore season in which he hit .450 with 57 RBIs and 11 home runs.

Rust earned All-Maryland JUCO Conference and All-Region 20 honors in both seasons and still ranks second all-time in career home runs at Cecil. He later played at Delaware State University before finishing his collegiate career at Wilmington University, where he set numerous program records, including marks for hits, runs, RBIs, total bases, and home runs in a single game. Rust also became the first player in Wilmington history to complete a home run cycle in one game and earned NCAA Division II First Team ABCA All-American honors.

Alexis Stubblefield – Women’s Basketball (2015–2018)

Alexis Stubblefield was a key leader for the Cecil College women’s basketball program during the 2015-2016 and 2017-2018 seasons. A two-year team captain, she earned All-Maryland JUCO Conference and All-Region 20 honors while helping guide the Seahawks to a 44–15 record across two seasons, including back-to-back 20-win campaigns.

Stubblefield played a pivotal role in Cecil’s 2018 Region 20 Division II championship run, earning Tournament MVP honors while helping lead the team to the first NJCAA National Championship tournament appearance in program history. She finished her Cecil career with 714 points, 206 rebounds, 146 assists, and 96 steals, averaging 14.1 points per game during her sophomore season. After Cecil, she continued her academic journey at Goldey-Beacom College and George Mason University and now works for the United States Government.

Brittanie (Walter) Krauss – Women’s Soccer & Softball (2009–2011)

Brittanie (Walter) Krauss excelled as a two-sport student-athlete at Cecil College, competing in both women’s soccer and softball from 2009 to 2011. On the soccer field, she was a two-year starter at defender, scoring four goals and earning All-Region 20 honors during her sophomore season.

Krauss also made a significant impact on the softball diamond as a two-year starting catcher. She was a two-time All-Maryland JUCO Conference and All-Region 20 selection while batting .445 with 72 runs and 71 RBIs during her career. Her offensive production included 17 doubles, seven triples, and seven home runs. Krauss helped lead the Seahawks to two Maryland JUCO and Region 20 championships and two NJCAA National Tournament appearances, while also earning NJCAA All-Academic honors twice. She later earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Goldey-Beacom College and currently serves as the Assistant Director of Finance and Human Resources at the institution.

Craig Winder – Men’s Basketball (2002–2005)

Craig Winder was a standout performer for Cecil College men’s basketball and one of the program’s most accomplished scorers. During his time with the Seahawks, he helped lead the team to a Maryland JUCO Conference championship and two Region 20 titles, as well as two NJCAA National Tournament appearances. As a sophomore, he was named to the NJCAA All-Tournament Team and earned First Team NJCAA All-American honors.

Winder finished his Cecil career with 1,138 points, ranking seventh in program history, while also recording 275 rebounds, 147 assists, and 134 steals. He continued his collegiate career at the University of Texas, where he played alongside future NBA players Kevin Durant, LaMarcus Aldridge, and P.J. Tucker. Winder later played professionally from 2008 to 2011 across several leagues, including the NBA G League, Australia, China, and Mexico. One of the highlights of his professional career came during the 2009–2010 season when he helped the Rio Grande Valley Vipers win the NBA G League championship, hitting the game-winning shot in Game 2 of the finals to secure the title.

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