WATCH: 2025 Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame Inductee Kaira Simmons Excelled for Rockledge Raiders

By Steve Wilson // April 14, 2025

2025 SPACE COAST SPORTS HALL OF FAME

WATCH: As a Rockledge Raiders track team member, Kaira Simmons brought home multiple state championships, including the long jump in 2015, and was a member of the 4x100m state championship teams in 2013 and 2014.

As a Rockledge Raiders track team member, Kaira Simmons brought home multiple state championships, including the long jump in 2015, and was a member of the 4x100m state championship teams in 2013 and 2014. Her stellar career at Rockledge allowed her to continue her education and compete in track & field at the University of Mississippi. (Ole Miss image)

EDITOR’S NOTE: The Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame selection committee announced that the 2025 induction ceremony will occur on Saturday, May 24, at Eastern Florida State College in Melbourne. This will be the first in-person induction since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. To make a reservation for the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony, e-mail Contact@SpaceCoastDaily.com or call 321-323-4460. CLICK HERE to see the 2025 Class of the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame.

WATCH: Kaira Simmons, a 2015 graduate of Rockledge High School, has been selected for induction into the Class of 2021 Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame prep category.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE VIDEO

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Kaira Simmons, a 2015 graduate of Rockledge High School, has been selected for induction into the Class of 2025 Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame prep category.

As a Rockledge Raiders track team member, Simmons brought home multiple state championships, including the long jump in 2015, and was a member of the 4x100m state championship teams in 2013 and 2014.

Her stellar career at Rockledge allowed her to continue her education and compete in track and field at the University of Mississippi.

Although her senior season at Ole Miss was cut short by the pandemic, Simmons excelled in her junior year for the Rebels. She was selected as an All-American, having participated in the 4×100 relay and was an NCAA East Region Qualifier in the 4×100 meter relay.

Simmons was also outstanding in the long jump, finishing her career with the third-longest jump in Ole Miss history.

Academically, Kaira Simmons was named to the AD’s Honor Roll seven times, the Chancellor’s Honor Roll four times, the SEC Honor Roll three times, and the Dean’s Honor Roll once. She was also named the 2019-2020 Outstanding Graduate Student for Legal Studies. (Ole Miss image)

One of her many highlights at Ole Miss was twice being selected as an Arthur Ashe, Jr., Sports Scholar recipient. To be eligible for this prestigious award, one must be an outstanding student-athlete.

Academically, Simmons was named to the AD’s Honor Roll seven times, the Chancellor’s Honor Roll four times, the SEC Honor Roll three times, and the Dean’s Honor Roll once. She was also named the 2019-2020 Outstanding Graduate Student for Legal Studies.

Kaira Simmons was outstanding in the long jump, finishing her career with the third-longest jump in Ole Miss history. She was selected as an All-American, having participated in the 4×100 relay and was an NCAA East Region Qualifier in the 4×100 meter relay. (Ole Miss image)

The former Raider and Rebel track star never thought she would end up with a career in law enforcement but recently completed the Law Enforcement Academy at Valencia College and is now an Orange County Deputy.

Simmons said that she now understands her purpose after 20 weeks in the Academy.

“I have always loved criminal justice, but I never thought being a deputy is what I would be,” said Simmons.

“I would say things like, I want to do forensic science, or be a lawyer, or anything other than being a cop, but here I am, and honestly, I’m super excited!”

Kaira Simmons never thought she would end up with a career in law enforcement but recently completed the Law Enforcement Academy at Valencia College and is now an Orange County Deputy. Simmons said that after 20 weeks in the Academy, she now understands her purpose.

When asked about those who have influenced her to reach her potential, Simmons talks about the role her family has played.

“Throughout the process, they have been my backbone, and, for that, I am forever grateful,” said Simmons.

Her godfather, who has worked for more than 30 years with the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, has also been a major influence in her career decision.

“It is nice to have someone rip off the band-aid and tell you the good, bad and ugly about what you are about to get yourself into,” said Simmons. “He has been a sounding board from start to finish.”

Kaira Simmons with Steve Wilson during an episode of “Sit Down With Steve” in the Space Coast Daily-Friday Night Locker Room Studios at Mike Erdman Cadillac on Merritt Island.

The Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame selection committee announced that the 2025 induction ceremony will occur on Saturday, May 24, at Eastern Florida State College in Melbourne. To make a reservation for the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony, e-mail Contact@SpaceCoastDaily.com or call 321-323-4460.

The Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame induction dinner and ceremony is presented by Tom and Suzie Wasdin

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA—The Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame selection committee announced that the 2025 induction ceremony will occur on Saturday, May 24, at Eastern Florida State College in Melbourne. This will be the first in-person induction since the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame induction dinner and ceremony, presented by Tom and Suzie Wasdin, will be held on the evening of May 24. The Meet-and-Greet will begin at 6 p.m., and the dinner and program will start at 7 p.m.

Tom and Suzie Wasdin are longtime Brevard County entrepreneurs, community supporters, and philanthropists. Tom, an NCAA Final Four basketball coach and Brevard Sports Ambassador, was inducted into the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame in 2015.

The meet-and-greet will include an opportunity to talk with the area’s sports royalty. Dinner and the induction proceeding, which will include compelling video tributes to each inductee, will follow.

The Brevard County High School Breakfast of Champions recognition awards will be held Saturday, May 24, from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., also at Eastern Florida State College.

During the Breakfast of Champions, more than 40 awards will be presented to the best of the 2024-2025 male and female high school student-athletes in each sport. For sponsorship information, call 321-323-4460 or e-mail Contact@SpaceCoastDaily.com.

Both the Breakfast of Champions and the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame events will be streamed live on Space Coast Daily TV.

Health First, Erdman Automotive, Eastern Florida State College, All Points, Clear Choice Health Care, Brevard Public Schools, Space Coast Office of Tourism, EDC of the Space Coast, 4Ever Young Merritt Island, and Savings Safari sponsor the 2025 Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame induction event and the Brevard County High School Breakfast of Champions recognition awards.

To make a reservation for the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony, e-mail Contact@SpaceCoastDaily.com or call 321-323-4460.

INDUCTEES SELECTED IN FOUR CATEGORIES

Nominees are chosen in four categories: professional sports, college sports, high school sports, and amateur sports. Special honorary recognition is also bestowed upon individuals and groups that have made significant contributions to sports on the Space Coast.

SPACE COAST SPORTS HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2025

■ PROFESSIONAL CATEGORY INDUCTEES: Jamel Dean, Football; Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Wrestling; Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, Football; Randy Pobst, Auto racing; Juwaan Taylor, Football

■ COLLEGE CATEGORY INDUCTEES: Paulette King, Basketball, Dylan Lewis, Soccer; Steve Freeman, Soccer; Bryan Cook, Baseball

■ PREP CATEGORY INDUCTEES: Lexy Denaburg, Volleyball; Andi Sellers, Soccer; Kaira Simmons, Track & Field; Jayvan Boggs, Football

■ AMATEUR/RECREATION CATEGORY INDUCTEE: Alli Penovich, Free Diving; Peter Blount, Track & Field; Caylor Williams, Wrestling

■ COACHING CATEGORY INDUCTEES: Doug Butler, Cross Country and Track; Gerald Hodgin, Football; Jim Oler, Basketball; Don Smith, Basketball

• SPORTS OFFICIAL INDUCTEES: Ted Ruta

• SPORTS JOURNALISM INDUCTEES: Steve Vaughn

• SPORTS DEVELOPMENT INDUCTEE: Loren McClanahan

■ LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT INDUCTEES: Larry Garrison, Clint Hurdle

■ SPORTS AMBASSADOR AWARD INDUCTEE: Rusty Buchanan

■ CHALLENGER AWARD INDUCTEE: Joshua Dillon

■ TEAM OF THE YEAR: Cocoa Tigers Football

■ LEGACY CHAMPIONS: Merritt Island Baseball, 1999-2000

■ COMMUNITY SPORTS ADVANCEMENT: Justin Lauer and Dr. Bill Quinter

■ SPECIAL TRIBUTE: Tim Wakefield

Space Coast Daily created the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame in 2011 and has inducted over 200 of Brevard County’s most outstanding athletes, coaches, and sports personalities. Eastern Florida State’s Titan Fieldhouse on the Melbourne Campus hosts the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame. Portraits of the Hall of Famers are displayed on the wall in the building’s main hallway, which runs parallel to the gym and outside the athletic department offices.