2019 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE | HEATHER MANDELA GOMEZ
Heather Mandela Gomez graduated from Milligan in 2011 with a bachelor of science in human performance and exercise science. In 2013, she graduated from Milligan again, earning a master of science in occupational therapy.
Heather Mandela is one of the most honored players in the history of Milligan women’s basketball. She is currently fourth on the list of all-time leading scorers with 2,272 career points. She is the second all-time leading rebounder with 1,272 career rebounds. She is also second in blocks with 142. She was honored as the Appalachian Athletic Conference Player of the Year for the 2010-11 season. She was also All-American or Honorable Mention for three years and All-Conference all four years. She led her team in scoring, rebounding, and blocked shots all four years. During her senior season, she also led the team in steals. Her career field goal percentage (50.7%) is fourth all-time at Milligan, while her career free throw percentage (75.9%) is third. Beyond the statistics, her teammates remember her as an incredibly hard worker and a fierce competitor. She helped lead Milligan to two conference championships and 82 wins during her four years.
Beyond the court, Heather was an accomplished student. She earned Academic All-Conference three times and was an NAIA Scholar Athlete twice.
After moving back to Northern Virginia, she began working as an occupational therapist at Potomac Falls Health and Rehabilitation, where she worked until 2018. Since 2018, she has worked as the lead occupational therapist with The Medical Team group, facilitating rehabilitation of geriatric patients with mental, emotional, and physical disabilities.
In 2016, Heather married Jacob Gomez, and in March 2020, they had their first child, Harper Grace. Heather’s home church is Summit Church in Springfield, Virginia.