ST. PETERSBURG -- Eckerd Athletics is proud to announce Jeff Evanier, Tjasa Kotnik, and Matt Kilgroe as the three members selected to the 2026 Athletics Hall of Fame.
Jeff Evanier, a 2014 graduate and a member of the men's golf program, remains as the only All-American for the program in school history after earning the honor from the GCAA in 2013. He helped lead the team to two postseason appearances in 2012 and 2013, and racked up All-South Region recognition, All-SSC honors, and SSC All-Tournament Team in 2013 as well. He finished second at the 2013 SSC Championship after shooting round scores of 71, 70, and 70 and boasted three top-10 performances and five more top-25 efforts during that season. Evanier currently owns the third-best round score of 67 in Eckerd program history and holds the single-season scoring average record of 72.95. In 2012, he became the first and only individual in school history to compete at the NCAA Championships finals, where he tied for 19th in a field of 108 golfers.Â
Tjasa Kotnik, a 2016 graduate, competed for both the Tritons volleyball and beach volleyball teams during her time at Eckerd. Kotnik was a member of the inaugural beach volleyball team and helped lead the Tritons to a 15-12 record their first season before seeing a 13-5 mark during her final year at Eckerd. She was a member of the 2016 AVCA Small College Championship team and sits second in program history in wins at the No. 1 draw with 12.Â
With the Tritons volleyball team, Kotnik helped lead the squad to two NCAA Tournament appearances in 2013 and 2015. She was named to the 2013 All-SSC Newcomer Team and was a First Team All-Conference selection in 2015, also landing First Team All-Region and Third Team All-American accolades from the AVCA. Kotnik ended her volleyball career with the Tritons with 998 kills, 470 digs, 207 total blocks, and 17 double-doubles. She is 10th all-time for kills in a career and third for both kills per set and kills in a single season. In 2016, she was named the winner of the James R. Harley Award.
Kotnik is currently playing pro beach volleyball in Slovenia.
Matt Kilgroe, a former Tritons men's basketball player and 1987 graduate, is being inducted for his dedicated service to the College. Kilgroe, a member of the Board of Trustees for 13 years, serves as the President and CEO at Cyndeo Wealth Partners. A member of the Eckerd men's basketball team, Kilgroe put up 564 points and 251 rebounds during his career. He continues to provide numerous Eckerd students with internships and career mentorship opportunities. The current Athletics Friends of the Tritons award is named on his behalf.
The 2026 Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place on Friday, March 6. More details to come.
