Student Athletes Sophomore/Transfer Day
Written by: President’s Office
The excitement was palpable at the Sierra College campus center on May 15 as student-athletes, coaches and administrators gathered for the 2019 Sierra College Sophomore/Transfer Day. Over 100 student-athletes from Sierra’s eighteen intercollegiate athletic teams were recognized as they prepared to transfer to four-year institutions to continue their athletic and/or academic pursuits. This year’s Sophomore/Transfer class experienced outstanding success while at Sierra College, including several Big 8 Conference and State Championship titles, and new school records. They will make an impact locally (CSU Sacramento and UC Davis are popular destinations), throughout the state (at CSU campuses in Chico, Sonoma and San Diego, and UC campuses in Santa Barbara and Riverside), and across the country (including Hawaii, British Columbia, Texas A&M, and the University of Massachusetts, Boston).
Sophomore/Transfer Day is a favorite event of Interim Athletics Director Rachel Johnson. “It is easy to brag about the athletic success of our programs, but this is the time we really get to emphasize and celebrate the academic success of our student athletes and honor them for their hard work in the classroom and on the field.” The academic reasons to celebrate are numerous, including Women’s soccer player Vanessa Alonzo being named 2019 Student-Athlete Achievement Award winner by the California Community College Counselors/Advisors Academic Association for Athletics (3C4A) and Wolverines from several teams including softball, women’s basketball and women’s soccer earning All-State Academic status.
Women’s Water Polo/Swimming and Diving athlete and student, Julia Hemphill, looks forward to taking her water polo skills to Sonoma State this fall. She believes choosing to attend Sierra College was the best decision she has made. “A lot of people underestimate students and athletes at the community college level, but we work just as hard and our goals are just as high as those at the four year schools,” she shared. “I am a better student, athlete and person because of this place.”
Men’s Baseball outfielder and Big 8 MVP, Charles Middleton, will play baseball at University of the Pacific next year and summed up his experience at Sierra College as being unforgettable. “The faculty and trainers only want what’s best for you. The academics and the teachers are high quality. I wouldn’t have wanted to spend my junior college years anywhere else. The Wolverine Way is the only way. It will make you better, stronger, tougher and more competitive when you come out of here.”
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