TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida College System Activities Association is pleased to announce Pasco-Hernando State College women's cross country head coach Jacki Waller as a Class of 2024-25 inductee to the FCSAA Hall of Fame, representing the athletics division.
The FCSAA Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have raised the level of awareness in athletics and/or academics through distinguished achievement and excellence in one or more student activities sponsored by the Association.
Waller started the PHSC women's cross country program in 2005, which began a revitilization of a once-strong sport in the FCSAA, and just completed her 20th season, leading the Bobcats to a second straight seventh place finish at the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) DII Cross Country Championship. Pasco-Hernando State was also the FCSAA's top team in the NJCAA Half Marathon, finishing ninth.
As the sport grew, the FCSAA held its first Championship Meet in 2016 and the Bobcats have been the dominant women's program, winning seven of the nine team championships. In each of the Bobcats' championship seasons, Waller has also been recognized as the FCSAA Coach of the Year.
"It was a great honor to nominate and announce Jacki's induction to the FCSAA Hall of Fame," said PHSC Athletic Director Steve Winterling. "Jacki's compassion for the sport of cross country is easily felt by those who know her. She works tirelessly for our student-athletes and leads by example in all walks of life. She is not only respected in the community but by her colleagues throughout the state."
Waller has observed numerous runners achieve All-America status. PHSC student-athlete Kayla Bratcher earned the honor at the NJCAA Half Marathon in 2011; Samantha Greenlee became a two-time All American in 2012 and 2013 through her success in the Half Marathon and the NJCAA 5K. Olivia D'Angelo earned All-America honors at the 2018 NJCAA 5K and Half Marathon; Grace D'Angelo and Quincy Mayer also earned All-America honors at the 2018 Half Marathon.
Waller graduated from River Ridge High School in 1997, having achieved high school state championship status for the 3,200 meter (two mile) race in 1995. She continued her running endeavors on a cross-country/track scholarship to Ohio University (OU) where she spent 12 seasons on the cross-country, indoor and outdoor track teams. After earning her bachelor's in secondary education from OU in 2001, Waller returned to the Tampa Bay area and earned her Masters of Science in biostatistics from the University of South Florida.
Prior to signing on as head coach at PHSC, Waller spent two years as head coach for the boy's track team and the boy/girl cross country team at J. W. Mitchell High School in New Port Richey, Fla. From 2002 to 2008, Waller was a math instructor at the high school as well. She continues to teach at the high school level at Pasco eSchool in addition to being an adjunct math instructor at PHSC.
She continues to compete in races, most recently completing the 2024 Boston Marathon, taking first place in the 2023 Clearwater Marathon, women's division and the 2019 Iron Girl Half Marathon in Clearwater, Fla. She also finished first in the female overall category in the 2019 RAP River Run 10K in New Port Richey, Fla.
The FCSAA's Council for Athletic Affairs confirmed Waller's nomination at its spring meeting in Tallahassee, but the announcement remained a secret to Waller until she was recognized at October's FCSAA Cross Country Championship in Tallahassee.