FORT MYERS, Fla. – Florida Gulf Coast softball graduate student Olivia Black was selected as a member of the FGCU Hall of Fame Class of 2026, the University announced Monday.

Induction into the FGCU Hall of Fame is the highest recognition bestowed upon student leaders at Florida Gulf Coast University. The Hall of Fame is reserved for students who have demonstrated superior leadership, integrity and achievement through their activities, service, scholarship, and academic excellence while members of the Florida Gulf Coast University community. No more than ten (10) students are recognized each year.

Black has demonstrated leadership as the president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and as a captain on the softball team. She created and launched the SAAC Eagle Cup, a comprehensive, department-wide incentive program which has increased student-athlete engagement in community service and student-athlete development opportunities. Black serves as the primary liaison to the Intercollegiate Athletics Committee (IAC) and University Athletic Director, advocating for student-athlete welfare, academic integrity, and policy reform; she also represents FGCU at the ASUN Conference level, collaborating with conference leaders to provide feedback on NCAA legislation and national student-athlete initiatives. She was selected to participate in the EAGLE Leadership Institute, an intensive nine-month leadership program focused on individual, group and community leadership values.

In the FGCU community, Black has been involved with Habitat for Humanity, helping to build multiple homes in North Fort Myers alongside her teammates. She hosted multiple canned food drives, including one for Hurricane Ian relief efforts, and hosted a Bone Marrow Drive. Black volunteered at Golisano's Children's Hospital each of the last four falls, hosting toy drives for the children. Additionally, she partnered with the American Heart Association to raise funds and awareness for cardiac disease and stroke. In conjunction with her time as a softball student-athlete, she organized and led a Youth Impact initiative, and has worked numerous skills clinics with youth softball players.

Academically, Black graduated three semesters early with a perfect 4.0 GPA in forensic studies. She will graduate next year with her Master's Degree in forensic studies with a concentration in human identity and trauma analysis. Throughout her time at FGCU, she has served as a Laboratory Intern and Teaching Assistant. She also completed a student research opportunity, overseeing technical training for middle school students in foundational forensic sciences.

As an athlete, Black has collected numerous accolades and accomplishments. She ranks seventh among active Division I players with 92 career stolen bases and is approaching the FGCU Division I-era career record for stolen bases. Black was named a 2026 Preseason All-ASUN selection following a second team All-ASUN selection in 2025. The outfielder is a three-time Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete, and also earned recognition as a member of the 2024 and 2025 CSC Academic All-District teams and ASUN All-Academic teams. She has started 171 of her 198 career games, and holds a career .306 average and .365 on-base percentage with 102 runs scored to go with her 92 stolen bases.

Black becomes the 13th FGCU student-athlete enshrined in the FGCU Hall of Fame and joins Kelsey Carpenter as the second softball student-athlete to receive the prestigious award. Softball joins swimming and diving, volleyball and beach volleyball as FGCU programs with multiple inductees into the FGCU Hall of Fame.

2012 – Steve Binninger (men's tennis)
2013 – Shannon Blizzard (swimming and diving)
2013 – Deion Jones (men's soccer)
2014 – Sarah Hansen (women's basketball)
2015 – Kelsey Carpenter (softball)
2015 – Emma Svensson (swimming and diving)
2016 – Elizabeth Means (women's tennis)
2021 – Amanda Carroll (volleyball/beach volleyball)
2021 – Cortney VanLiew (volleyball/beach volleyball)
2023 – Dana Axner (volleyball)
2024 – Emma Hixenbaugh (swimming and diving)
2025 – Jaci Carpenter (beach volleyball)
2026 – Olivia Black (softball)

Next, Black and FGCU continue their road trip with a series at West Georgia, beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 11.

2026 softball mini plans and single game tickets are on sale at https://fgcuathletics.evenue.net/list/SB. 

For more information on FGCU Softball, follow @FGCUSoftball on Instagram, X (Twitter) and Facebook, and visit fgcuathletics.com.