The University of West Florida announced its latest inductees to the UWF Athletics Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony, scheduled for November 14 at The Darrell Gooden Center, will recognize three former student-athletes alongside two figures who have helped shape UWF Athletics.
Student-Athletes Who Made History
Leading the athlete inductees is Peggy de Villiers, from Somerset West, South Africa, who dominated college swimming from 2013-2016. De Villiers earned an impressive 15 CSCAA All-American honors—second-most in program history—and claimed the 2016 NSISC Champion Swimmer of the Year title. Her speed in short-distance events left a mark on UWF records, with top-five finishes in multiple freestyle and butterfly events.
The women’s golf program contributes two inductees. Elin Olsson from Mantorp, Sweden (2012-2016) achieved the distinction of Gulf South Conference Player of the Year while earning WGCA First Team All-America honors in 2014. Her academic excellence matched her athletic prowess, earning GSC All-Academic recognition all four years.
Lauren Lamm, a Punta Gorda native who transferred from Daytona State, quickly established herself as a force in Argonaut golf from 2014-2017. Her consistent excellence earned her three consecutive first-team All-GSC selections and WGCA All-America honors in both 2016 and 2017.
Visionaries Behind the Success
The special achievement inductees represent the foundation of UWF’s athletic transformation. Dr. Martha Saunders, who served as university president from 2016-2025, presided over an unprecedented era of success that included three national championships and 45 Gulf South Conference titles. Her leadership brought football home to campus and resulted in world-class facilities that continue to attract top talent.
Darrell Gooden exemplifies the power of transformational giving. His platinum-level founding contribution launched UWF football, and his continued generosity has created the Darrell Gooden Center and sparked the campaign for a new on-campus stadium. His commitment of over $10 million represents the largest gift in UWF athletics history.
The induction ceremony begins at 4 p.m. on Nov. 14 at The Darrell Gooden Center, Building 234, 11000 University Pkwy. For updates on UWF athletics, visit GoArgos.com and follow @GoArgos on social media.
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Rick Outzen is the publisher/owner of Pensacola Inweekly. He has been profiled in The New York Times and featured in several True Crime documentaries. Rick also is the author of the award-winning Walker Holmes thrillers. His latest nonfiction book is “Right Idea, Right Time: The Fight for Pensacola’s Maritime Park.”
