Six Guilford Athletics Hall of Fame inductees reminisced about their competitive experiences and expressed gratitude to those who helped them achieve their success during the College’s 46th induction ceremony Nov. 16.

Preeminent student-athletes in lacrosse, basketball and baseball along with one of Guilford’s winningest coaches and a long-time team physician were in the third annual class following a seven-year hiatus for inductions from 2015-21.

E’leyna Garcia ’14, the most accomplished player in the women’s lacrosse team’s history, credited her mother for being a hands-on inspiration during her college career.

“My mom moved to Greensboro for my senior year and came to all of my games,” she said. “One time when it snowed she went to Home Depot and bought shovels and she was out shoveling the field for us. She is my super woman.”

E’leyna was a two-time All-America selection who scored 287 goals in her career and one or more in 70 consecutive games in one stretch as a Quaker. She is a child psychologist in Houston, Texas. 

Gabby Oglesby ’14, who helped the women’s basketball team win a pair of conference championships, noted the special nature of the Guilford experience.

“Guilford is one of those places that you can’t really describe unless you’ve lived it,” she said. “Guilford allowed me to walk into any room and be authentically me. That’s something that has carried over into my life and career.”

Gabby was an All-American and ODAC Player of the Year as a Quaker. She is an IT professional with Bank of America and is coaching middle school boys basketball at N.C. Leadership Academy in Kernersville, N.C. 

Tyler Sanborn ’10, who played in four NCAA Tournaments with the men’s basketball team, only averaged 3 points and 3 rebounds as a freshman.

“I came in not a very good basketball player and graduated a much better player,” he said. “When you’re practicing against the National Player of the Year (Ben Strong ‘08) and getting beaten up every day, you don’t really have a choice but to get better.”

Tyler was consensus National Player of the Year as a senior and set a program record for double-doubles with 55. He is now working in sales after coaching collegiately.

Macon Smith ’14, one of the leading hitters in the history of the baseball team, credited his father with keeping him on track as a student-athlete.

“My best hitting coach I ever had was my dad. He knew me better than anybody,” he said. “He knew when I went 0-for-4 (in a game), he would be my first call. He helped me to center, calm down, reestablish the confidence and just go out there and play.”

Macon hit .417 for his career, which is second all-time for the team, and was an All-American and Academic All-American as a Quaker. He is working as a CPA.

Stephanie Flamini, who won 284 games in 18 seasons as Guilford’s women’s basketball coach, said her success was due to the people she coached and worked with.

“When I set out in coaching 30 years ago, I didn’t really think about being in a hall of fame. I just wanted to do something I love,” she said. “It’s really about making relationships. You win in life with people, and I’ve been lucky to have a lot of great people around me.” 

Stephanie led Guilford to two conference titles and four NCAA Tournament berths and is now coaching women’s basketball at Bridgewater College (Va.). 

Robert Wainer, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon and the last inductee recognized in the ceremony, was team physician for more than 20 years until his retirement last fall.

“I’m excited to be in this esteemed group, and I look back and I realize that everyone up here (the inductees) has been a patient of mine,” he joked. “… My most memorable moments were in the joy of watching young athletes return to the field after an injury – it made it all worth it.”

Bobby was recruited to the role by legendary athletic trainer Mary Broos, herself a Guilford Hall of Famer.