2026 Lee County Athletic Hall of Fame inductees announced
The School District of Lee County announced Tuesday the Lee County Athletic Conference Hall of Fame inductees for 2026. Five athletes, two coaches, and one contributor are being recognized for their outstanding athletic accomplishments for their school or their students.
Lee County Athletic Conference Hall of Fame Class of 2026
Athletes:
• Sidney Brinson-Perkins, Cypress Lake High School
• Alina Faunce, Estero High School
• Kendoll Gibson, East Lee County High School
• Destanni Henderson, Fort Myers High School
• Jacob Stevens, Cape Coral High School
Coaches:
• Sammy Brown, Dunbar High School
• Chad Terrell, Fort Myers High School
Contributor:
• Joe Rider, Fort Myers High School
Brinson-Perkins graduated from Cypress Lake High School in 1988, where she was an elite swimmer and was named News-Press Swimmer of the Year. Her high school career was highlighted by a state runner-up finish in the 100 backstroke. She continued her swimming career at the University of Florida, earning All-American honors in both the 100 and 200 backstroke. Brinson-Perkins later qualified for the 1992 U.S. Olympic Trials.
Faunce was a swimming phenom at Estero High School, earning News-Press Swimmer of the Year, Rotary Scholar Athlete of the Year and High School All-American honors. She captured individual state championships in both the 200 Individual Medley and the 100 Butterfly. Following her high school career, Faunce went on to compete at the University of Alabama.
Gibson was a standout football and track athlete at East Lee County High School. He earned First Team All-Lee County honors in both sports and was a county champion in track before becoming the first state finalist in school history. After high school, Gibson played defensive line at Walsh College and later competed professionally in the Arena League with the Orlando Predators, Gulf Coast Fire and Florida Stingrays.
Henderson was a standout basketball player at Fort Myers High School, where her teams won three state championships. She was named News-Press Athlete of the Year, McDonald’s All-American, Jordan Brand All-American and Florida Dairy Farmers Miss Basketball. Henderson continued her career at the University of South Carolina under legendary coach Dawn Staley, where she won an NCAA National Championship. She was selected by the Indiana Fever in the 2022 WNBA Draft.
Stevens graduated from Cape Coral High School in 2003, where he was an outstanding baseball player. He was named News-Press Player of the Year and Cape Coral Breeze Player of the Year, posting a 1.86 ERA with 119 strikeouts in 60 innings. Stevens committed to the University of Miami out of high school before being selected in the MLB Draft by the Atlanta Braves. He went on to play nine years of professional baseball.
Brown is the head football coach at Dunbar High School and has also coached flag football, basketball and track. During his 10- years as head coach, his teams have qualified for the playoffs every season, including state Final Four appearances in 2022 and 2023. Brown was mentored by Hall of Famer Joe Hampton, along with other distinguished coaches. He was selected as the South Team’s Head Coach for the FACA State All-Star Football Game, played at The Villages in North Florida.
Terrell has been a coach in the district since 2004, including the past 18 years at Fort Myers High School, where he has coached football, basketball and track. As head coach of the girls’ basketball program, his teams have won three state championships, four regional championships and five district championships. Terrell was named News-Press Coach of the Year and FACA Coach of the Year on two occasions, and in 2016, he earned statewide recognition as the Florida Dairy Farmers Coach of the Year.
Rider is being inducted into the LCAC Hall of Fame in recognition of his more than 50 years of service and contributions to athletics in Lee County. During that time, he is credited with founding the South Gulf Football Officials Organization, which remains in operation today and continues to provide football officials for local games. Rider was also instrumental in establishing the Rotary Scholar Athlete Recognition Program sponsored by Rotary South of Fort Myers. Since its inception in 1986, the program has awarded thousands of dollars in scholarships annually to student-athletes. In addition to this honor, Rider is a member of the FHSAA Hall of Fame, the Bradley University Hall of Fame, and the Memorial High School Hall of Fame.
The inductees will be honored at a banquet scheduled for Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at the Double Tree Hotel. The banquet will begin at 6 p.m., and tickets are available for purchase for $30 per person.
The Double Tree Hotel is at 13051 Bell Tower Drive, Fort Myers. Those interested in purchasing tickets should contact the District Athletic Office at 239-335-1479.