2025 Hall of Fame Inductees
Donny Harrel, Distinguished Alumnus
Donny Harrel
2025 Taft College Hall of Fame Inductee | Collegiate Baseball Coach and Leader
A proud Taft College alumnus, Donny Harrel has built a legacy of excellence in collegiate baseball—first as a standout student-athlete, then as a transformational coach and mentor. Born in North Bend, Oregon, Donny excelled in multiple sports but found his true calling in baseball. Recruited by legendary Cougar Coach Tony Thompson, he joined Taft College in 1988, where he earned First Team All-Central Valley Conference honors and graduated with highest academic distinction in 1990.
That same year, Donny was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 18th round of the MLB June Draft, opting to sign professionally rather than accept a scholarship to Cal State Fullerton. After two seasons in the Royals’ minor league system, his playing career was cut short by injury—but his coaching career was just beginning.
He returned to Taft as an assistant baseball and football coach before moving on to Bakersfield College and earning his bachelor's degree from CSU Bakersfield. In 1996, Donny became head baseball coach at Lane Community College in Oregon, where he compiled a remarkable 220–90 record, captured the 1999 NWAACC Championship, and earned four Coach of the Year honors.
Donny’s coaching trajectory continued at the NCAA Division I level, serving as an assistant at Oregon State and the University of Washington before being tapped in 2009 to resurrect the baseball program at Seattle University. Now in his 16th season as head coach, he has sent 16 players to the professional ranks, including 2024 AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal.
An inductee of both the North Bend High School and Eugene Challengers Halls of Fame, Donny Harrel remains the all-time winningest baseball coach at both Lane Community College and Seattle University. Through it all, he continues to credit Taft College as the foundation of his success and passion for the game.
LaNell Howell, Distinguished Classified
LaNell Howell
2025 Taft College Hall of Fame Inductee | Lifelong Advocate and Community Champion
LaNell Howell dedicated her life to making the world a better place—and she did so with boundless generosity, quiet strength, and a servant’s heart. From her first role at Taft College in 1996 as a Temporary LRC Instructional Aide to her retirement in 2017 as a beloved Testing Technician, LaNell spent more than two decades uplifting students and staff through her work in the TIL Program and Disability Support Programs and Services (DSPS). Her support extended far beyond her job description—she was a pillar of encouragement, a resource connector, and often the first to offer a helping hand.
Known affectionately as the “unofficial florist” of campus events, LaNell donated her time and creativity to every celebration, arranging flowers and centerpieces simply because it brought others joy. Her acts of kindness were personal and profound—whether helping a TIL student plan her wedding or offering guidance and support to colleagues facing cancer.
LaNell’s impact radiated across Kern County through decades of volunteerism. A cancer survivor herself, she brought Relay for Life to Taft in 2009, serving as its first chair and continuing her involvement for years. She was also a dedicated member of Soroptimist International of Taft, contributing to programs that provided critical transportation for life-saving treatments and empowering local women and families.
Her volunteer résumé is as expansive as her heart: Make-A-Wish, JJ’s Legacy, Links for Life, Angel Gowns, animal shelters, the Nutcracker Ballet, Cougar Cookouts, disAbilities Awareness, and Pyles Boys Camp BBQ—LaNell gave her time to all of them.
Even after retirement, LaNell never stopped giving. Until her passing in 2024, she remained an active volunteer, still working to lift others up. Her legacy is one of compassion, service, and a life beautifully lived in support of others.
Mike McDougal, Outstanding Athlete
Mike McDougal
2025 Taft College Hall of Fame Inductee
Mike McDougal’s journey from Taft College into professional baseball and beyond is a testament to resilience, integrity, and the transformative power of opportunity. A standout student-athlete, Mike arrived at Taft College with a passion for baseball and left with life lessons that shaped his future. Though his time on campus was shortened by the 1994 budget cuts that ended all athletic programs, Mike credits Taft for instilling in him the values of accountability, discipline, and personal growth.
Thanks to a pre-draft MLB workout hosted at Taft and the guidance of Coach Tony Thompson, Mike caught the attention of professional scouts and was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 31st round of the 1994 MLB Draft. He went on to play five seasons with the Cardinals, reaching AA as a pitcher before being selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the Rule 5 Draft. Mike played for the Orioles until a career-ending shoulder injury in 2000.
After baseball, Mike built a successful career in construction project management in Las Vegas, leading major projects like Resorts World and Fontainebleau. A 2005 graduate of UNLV, he also found joy in giving back, volunteering as a baseball coach for over two decades at Silverado High School and Paseo Verde Little League. His coaching legacy centers not on trophies, but on nurturing young athletes and celebrating their growth.
Mike and his wife Kristy, his high school sweetheart, raised two sons—Tanner, currently in the White Sox organization, and Tyler, who will continue the family tradition at the College of Southern Nevada.
Forever grateful to Taft College and its coaches, Mike’s story is rooted in perseverance, passion, and a deep commitment to helping others realize their dreams—just as he realized his.
Jason Phillips, Outstanding Athlete
Jason Howell Phillips
2025 Taft College Hall of Fame Inductee | NFL Veteran | Championship Coach
Jason Howell Phillips is a decorated football coach and former NFL wide receiver whose roots trace back to a game-changing tenure at Taft College. Born October 11, 1966, in Crowley, Louisiana, and raised in Houston, Texas, Jason starred as a quarterback at Ross Sterling High School before arriving at Taft College in 1985.
Phillips began as the Cougars’ starting quarterback but transitioned to wide receiver in 1986 due to roster limitations. The position switch proved to be transformational. As a co-captain that year, Phillips helped lead Taft to a conference title and a resounding 38–16 win in the Shrine Potato Bowl. He earned All-Conference honors and solidified his reputation as a versatile, high-impact athlete.
Transferring to the University of Houston, Phillips flourished in the run-and-shoot offense under Coach Jack Pardee. In 1988, he led the nation in receptions (108), receiving yards (1,444), and touchdowns (15), earning consensus All-American honors. That same season, he and teammate James Dixon became the only NCAA wide receiver duo to each surpass 100 receptions while ranking first and second nationally in receiving.
Selected in the 10th round of the 1989 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions, Phillips made an immediate impact, setting a franchise rookie record with 10 catches in a game. He later played three seasons for the Atlanta Falcons before starring in the CFL, where he was named a 1995 South Division All-Star.
Following his playing career, Jason began a highly respected coaching journey, with roles at Oregon State, SMU, Kansas, and most recently as wide receivers coach for the University of Colorado under Coach Deion Sanders.
A member of the Southwest Conference All-Decade Team and University of Houston Hall of Honor, Jason Phillips exemplifies what it means to evolve, lead, and leave a lasting legacy—beginning with his days as a Taft College Cougar.
Debra Wooley, Distinguished Confidential
Debra Wooley
Taft College Honoree | 30 Years of Distinguished Service
For three remarkable decades, Debra Wooley was a steady, skilled, and deeply valued presence at Taft College. From her start in 1985 as a Data Systems Operator to her retirement in 2015, Debra’s impact was wide-reaching and profound—serving faculty, students, and administrators with professionalism, integrity, and unmatched dedication.
Her early work in data entry laid the foundation for a career marked by adaptability and excellence. By 1987, she was wearing dual hats, supporting both data operations and computer services. Just two years later, she transitioned into instruction, becoming an essential assistant to the Dean of Instruction, Dr. Donald L. Greene, and later to Dr. Loretta Garcia Lipscomb. In this critical role, she managed faculty budgets, class scheduling, academic materials, field trip coordination, and orientation for new faculty—along with editing and producing the Taft College catalog.
As Administrative Assistant to the Vice President of Instruction, Debra’s responsibilities expanded further to include accreditation reporting and faculty negotiations. Her insight, discretion, and organizational prowess made her an indispensable member of the academic leadership team.
In 2010, Debra joined the Office of Institutional Research, contributing to data-driven decision-making under Dr. Eric Berube. Before retiring in 2015, she also supported student success efforts by overseeing tutoring supervision and scheduling alongside Vice President Mark Williams.
Debra’s contributions were so extensive that, upon her retirement, her responsibilities had to be divided between three new positions. She was the kind of behind-the-scenes cornerstone every great institution relies on.
Known for her quiet strength, detailed knowledge, and genuine care for the college community, Debra Wooley left a lasting legacy at Taft College—one built not just on years served, but on the quality and heart behind every task she completed.
1977 California State Championship Football Team, Outstanding Team
1977 Taft College Football Team
California State Champions | Undefeated Season
The 1977 Taft College Football Team achieved what no Cougar squad had done before: an undefeated, untied season culminating in the California State Championship. Under the leadership of legendary Head Coach Al Baldock—one of the winningest coaches in California junior college history—the Cougars finished the season as the only undefeated junior college team in the nation.
With a 364-102 scoring margin, the Cougars dominated every opponent. Their explosive offense, powered by two All-State running backs and three All-State linemen, averaged 333 rushing yards per game. Quarterback Mike Newby led a balanced, option-driven attack supported by standout backs like Cal Ray Anderson, Maxie O’Kelley, and Alan Landua. Anderson, the team’s spark plug and offensive captain, earned All-State, Division II Player of the Year, and Honorable Mention All-American honors.
Equally formidable, the Cougar defense allowed just 2.5 yards per rush, swarming opponents with aggressive, gang-tackling precision. All-State linebacker Greg Schneider anchored a deep corps of hard-hitting defenders, backed by a resilient line and a much-improved secondary. The special teams, led by standout returners and clutch kicker Jose Pagan, sealed Taft’s dominance in all phases of the game.
Beyond stats and accolades, what set the 1977 team apart was its unity. After clinching the title on a rainy November night in Fremont, the 59-man squad turned and gave a standing ovation to more than 3,000 Cougar fans who had traveled to witness history.
The legacy of the 1977 Taft College Cougars lives on—not only as state champions but as a team defined by heart, grit, and gratitude. Their perfect season remains a gold standard of excellence in Taft College history.