Pfeiffer University Athletics Announces 2026 Sports Hall of Fame Class

Misenheimer, N.C. (June 23, 2026) – The Pfeiffer University Athletics Department has announced that six former student-athletes will be inducted into the Pfeiffer Sports Hall of Fame at a reception and ceremony to be held on October 9, 2026 in the Stokes Student Center on the Misenheimer campus.



2026 Pfeiffer Athletics Hall of Fame Inductees

Melissa Andersen Foley (Women's Lacrosse, 2003-2006)

Melissa Andersen Foley stands as one of the most decorated players in Pfeiffer women's lacrosse history, earning national recognition for her elite performance during the mid-2000s.

Her accolades include being named a 2006 First Team All-American, and the 2006 CVAC Player of the Year.  She also earned multiple All-Region and All-Conference honors over her career and was also among the nation's best, appearing amongst the NCAA Division II leaders in several statistical categories.

Andersen Foley still holds numerous Pfeiffer records, including first in career assists (127) and fourth in career points (223).  She also ranks tied for third in single season points (89) with fellow hall of famer Lyndsey Boswell and is tied for first in single season assists (50) with Whitney Jaffe.

She also recorded historic single-game performances, including a 9-assist game against Molloy in 2006 and an 8-assist game against Belmont Abbey that same season.

Nationally, she ranked among NCAA Division II leaders in assists and points per game, cementing her place among the elite players of her era.



Martim Galvão (Men's Soccer, 2012–2015)

Martim Galvão was a driving force behind one of the most dominant runs in Pfeiffer men's soccer history.

A four-year starter, Galvão helped lead the Falcons to a 61-8-1 record over his career that included two conference championships, three regional championships and was a member of the 2015 team that finished a perfect 25-0 en route to the NCAA Division II Championship.

His individual accomplishments include being named an All-Conference performer on three occasions, two All-Region selections and two All-American Awards.

Galvão remains Pfeiffer's all-time assist leader (45) and single-season assist record holder (20), cementing his legacy as one of the program's greatest offensive playmakers. 

Following his Pfeiffer career, he played with the Nashville SC's U23 team in the Premier Development League (now the USL2) and was later signed by Nashville SC in 2017 before playing for Thoi Lakatamias FC in the Cypriot Second Division in 2018.



Jeff Kandefer – (Men's Lacrosse, 1989-1992

Jeff Kandefer stands among the most accomplished offensive players in Pfeiffer men's lacrosse history, earning his place as one of the program's all-time great facilitators and point producers.

Over his four-year career, Kandefer totaled 92 goals, 108 assists, and 200 career points, finishing among the top players in school history in both assists (tied for 3rd all-time) and total points (top 5–6 all-time).

Kandefer's ability to orchestrate the Falcons' offense defined his career. His 108 career assists remain one of the highest totals in program history decades later, reflecting his unselfish play and elite vision on the field.

During his senior season in 1992 he returned one of the finest individual campaigns Pfeiffer has ever seen. Kandefer recorded 86 points (top 10 all-time for a single season), including a remarkable 51 assists (6th all-time in a season), averaging more than six points per game as the centerpiece of the Falcons' high-powered attack.

One of his most memorable performances came in March 1992 against Radford, when he delivered a dominant 11-point outing (5 goals, 6 assists) to lead the Falcons to a decisive 22-11 road victory. His playmaking brilliance was further highlighted by multiple games with 7 assists, tying for one of the best single-game marks in program history.

Kandefer played a key role in the success of the 1992 Falcons, who finished 9-4 overall and produced one of the highest-scoring seasons in program history with 403 total points. His leadership and production helped establish Pfeiffer as one of the most competitive programs in the region during its early years.

In recognition of his outstanding play, Kandefer was named team MVP in 1992 and earned selection to the USILA North/South Team, further cementing his status among the elite players of his era.

Following his collegiate career, Kandefer continued his involvement in the game as a coach at St. Francis and Canisius High School, while also competing professionally in Canada with the Welland Nighthawks.

Kandefer's legacy at Pfeiffer is defined by his exceptional vision, leadership, and ability to elevate those around him reflects a career that helped shape the foundation of Pfeiffer men's lacrosse.



Anu Lakshman (Women's Tennis, 1992–1995)

Anu Lakshman was a pioneering force in Pfeiffer women's tennis, helping elevate the program to national recognition during the early-to-mid 1990s.

Lakshman earned All-Conference honors and was named the Carolina Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and  District Player of the Year, distinguishing herself as one of the top players in the region. Her performance helped Pfeiffer compete at a high level within a competitive conference landscape.

On the national stage, Lakshman competed in the NAIA Women's Tennis National Championship, where she advanced to the third round after dominant early-round victories. She was also nationally ranked, climbing as high as No. 23 in the country, and compiled an impressive 9-1 season record during the 1995 season.

Lakshman played a key role in helping Pfeiffer women's tennis earn its first-ever NAIA national ranking, as the program broke into the Top 25 during her career. Her success contributed directly to raising the profile of Falcon tennis on a national level.

Beyond athletics, Lakshman excelled academically, as she was named to the Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll, earned Academic All-Conference honors and was also recognized as the Pfeiffer Outstanding Senior in Economics in 1995.



Dr. Bill Moore (Men's Tennis, 1977-1980)

A cornerstone of Pfeiffer men's tennis from 1977 to 1980, Dr. Bill Moore competed at the No. 1 singles position and earned team MVP honors during his career. His leadership helped set the tone for future Falcon tennis success.

Following Pfeiffer, Moore built an impressive career in coaching, sport psychology, and leadership development, earning his Doctorate of Education in Sport and Performance Psychology from the University of Virginia.

He spent 12 years coaching at East Carolina University, guiding the Pirates to 101 wins while amassing 94 wins for the ECU women's program. He would later serve as Director of Mental Training at the University of Oklahoma and Director of the PGA/PGM program at UNLV.

He is also the longtime president of BeMore Consulting and has provided services to several international corporations as well as Major League Baseball, the PGA, LPGA, U.S. Tennis Association, USA Track & Field and the U.S. Olympic Committee.

Moore's lifelong commitment to performance excellence and athlete development has benefited numerous collegiate and professional athletes, trainers and other sports personnel both domestically and internationally.



Rajeev Vijaykumar (Men's Tennis, 1992–1995)

Rajeev Vijaykumar stands among the most accomplished tennis players in Pfeiffer history, helping elevate the program to national prominence in the mid-1990s.

A consistent No. 1 singles player for the Falcons, Vijaykumar was named team MVP in 1992, 1993 and 1995.  Additionally, he was named Pfeiffer Male Athlete of the Year in 1994.

He earned All-Conference recognition and multiple academic honors during his career.

On the national stage, he competed in the NAIA National Championships both individually and as part of the team, helping Pfeiffer reach the national tournament in both 1994 and 1995.   He also finished sixth at the NAIA Rolex Intercollegiate Championships in 1994.

During his career, Pfeiffer tennis achieved national recognition, with rankings inside the NAIA Top 25 and strong conference finishes.  After his playing career, Vijaykumar continued his impact on the sport, serving as an assistant coach with Pfeiffer, helping guide the team to the NCAA Division II Tournament in 1997.

After Pfeiffer, he built a global career in tennis development, founding elite academies and coaching internationally ranked players.

Vijaykumar currently serves as the Head of Development for the Tamil Nadu Tennis Association in Chennai, India, overseeing high-performance programs and major international events, which not only include tennis, but also includes surfing events.  In 2025, he was the Head of Operations of the Asian Surfing Championships in Mahabalipuran, India and was organized by the Asian Surfing Federation.

His contributions span collegiate success, international player development, and leadership in global tennis and surfing events.


Ticket information for the 2026 Pfeiffer Sports Hall of Fame Banquet will be announced at a later date.