The second annual NJCAA Foundation Hall of Fame class of 2022 was recognized at the NJCAA Foundation Awards event which took place on Friday, June 10, 2022, at 6:30 PM ET at the Hilton Charlotte Uptown in Charlotte, NC. Designed to tell the story of the NJCAA, the NJCAA Hall of Fame seeks to honor individuals who have paved the way for opportunities at the two-year level – athletically, professionally, and those who have been pioneers throughout the history of the association. Inductees to the Hall of Fame include administrators, coaches, student-athletes, and meritorious contributors and influencers.
Jessica McDonald
At just 33 years old, Jessica McDonald has excelled in soccer at the highest level and captured some of the most prestigious awards. McDonald attended Phoenix College (AZ) for two years, where she played soccer, basketball, and ran track. As an all-star soccer student-athlete, McDonald was named an NJCAA First-Team All-American and 2006 NJCAA Women's Soccer Player of the Year. In addition, McDonald received NJCAA First-Team, All-Conference, and All-Region Honors, quickly becoming the most-decorated women's athlete in the history of the school. In November 2019, the Glendale native's jersey was retired from Phoenix.
Following success with the Bears, the forward attended the University of North Carolina and played a key role in the Tar Heels' NCAA championship victories in 2008 and 2009. McDonald played in 21 games, had 17 starts, scored five goals, and had 10 assists, which led the team. In the 2010 WPS Draft, McDonald was the fifteenth overall pick by the Chicago Red Stars, kicking off her club career. From 2012-13, she played with the Melbourne Victory FC in Australia's W-League, followed by seven more roles with various clubs.
McDonald has also represented the United States on the international stage on several occasions, helping her country to its fourth World Cup Championship title in 2019. Following the World Cup, McDonald competed at the 2020 She Believes Cup and the CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament. In total, the forward has registered 19 appearances with the USWNT, scoring four goals and assisting two. A powerful forward with a track record of scoring, McDonald was the first NWSL player to reach 33 regular-season goals. McDonald currently is a member of Racing Louisville FC after playing with the North Carolina Courage for five seasons.