With over $1 million raised annually, over 2,000 active members, and with a full compliment of committees, the question becomes, "What is the cumulative effect of the AAF?"
The answer lies not only in the statistics column of the sports page, but, more importantly, in the successes of our student-athletes in life.
Below, you will find a brief list of athletes whose lives were irrevocably changed for the better by the generosity of the AAF. We invite you to read their stories, so that you, too, will know the full capacity of the AAF Effect.
When choosing words to describe Trimaine "Train" Davis, one instantly thinks of "perseverance". After all, it was Trimaine's perseverance that led him back to the basketball court after being hit by a speeding car, and then slammed into a telephone pole at age 16. Perseverance is what "Train" is all about.
That same persevering spirit led Davis to SDSU. For Trimaine, an athletic scholarship meant the opportunity to be the first in his family to earn a college degree. It also meant that he would have a chance to not only fulfill his dreams, but to truly create change in the lives of others.
As an Aztec, Trimaine founded the student-athlete leadership group Ko-Ailition, only the third of its kind in the US. Trimaine also leads the Men's Basketball team with his inspirational demeanor, a trait that earned him team captain honors.
Insightful and inspirational, Trimaine Davis embodies the qualities of the ideal student-athlete. It is an honor to provide the financial means that allow young leaders such as Trimaine the opportunity to influence the community.
It has often been said that insight into the past is the precursor to a successful future. An insightful young woman, Jamie understands that the historical struggles of women in NCAA DI athletics provided her with the opportunity to earn a scholarship. As such, Jamie realizes that her scholarship represents more than a chance to live her dreams, it also symbolizes the opportunity to further empower women in sport.
Taking full advantage of her opportunity, Jamie provides leadership to one of SDSU's most successful sports teams. A three-time letter winner and Senior Captain of the softball team, Jamie received the 2004 Coaches' Award, an award reserved for the most inspirational of athletes.
Away from the field, Jamie boasts scholar-athlete status, a 3.2 GPA in Recreation Administration, and membership in the Recreation Student Association. In reward of her accomplishments as a student-athlete, Jamie received the prestigious Clifford and Ruth Dietz Athletic Scholarship.
Jamie intends to continue her role in athletics when she begins her coaching career next year as an assistant softball coach at CSU – San Marcos.
Familial relationships are often complex. For many young adults, the goal is to best the accomplishments of their older counterparts. However, for Shanna Demus, her intent is not so much to outdo her elders, but to develop an identity all her own.
The daughter of a 4-time national track champion and the sister of a 16-time Track & Field All-American, Shana could easily follow in the footsteps of her very fast family. Shana's heart, however, belongs to basketball – lucky for the Aztecs. A gifted athlete, Shana has quickly used her scholarship to become an important part of the rebuilt SDSU Women's Basketball team. "She should be the best offensive rebounder in the Mountain West Conference someday," projects Head Coach, Beth Burns. Coupling that assessment with Shanna's tenacity on defense and her ability to score points allows one to quickly surmise that Shanna will not only make a name for herself within her family, but on The Mesa as well.
Yet, Shanna's intentions don't conclude on the hardwood. A hardworking student, Shanna intends to earn a degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Political Science before pursuing law school. An identity of her own? No problem.
For many student-athletes, the path to NCAA Division I athletics is a long one. For Dita Hauerlandova, that path spanned 6,209 miles, two continents, and a handful of countries.
A native of Uherske Hradiste in the Czech Republic, Dita's athletic scholarship allowed her to come to the SDSU Women's Tennis team in 2003. Since then, she hasn't looked back. The only senior on the 2006 squad, Hauerlandova provides experienced leadership to the team. "She is a fantastic leader and a very fine representative of SDSU on and off the court," notes Head Coach, Peter Mattera. In her two seasons on the Mesa, Dita earned All Mountain West Conference honors twice in both singles and doubles and ITA rankings of 123 (singles) and 40 (doubles).
Dita pursues her studies with the same determination she exudes on the court. Majoring in Psychology, Hauerlandova boasts 4 semesters as a scholar-athlete, All-Academic Mountain West Conference Honors, and a 3.19 GPA. Excellent marks made that much more impressive when one considers that lecture, textbooks, and class notes are in her second language.
We've all met people like Becca Ur – the kind of person that excels in every endeavor they pursue while maintaining an apparently effortless grace. The kind of person that makes one ponder, "How does she do it?" For Becca, it's just a way of life.
In just her first season of competition, Becca started nearly every match at center for SDSU and earned the utmost respect of her teammates and coaches. As Head Coach, Carin Crawford, notes, "Becca has a determination and strength of character rarely seen in a young woman her age."
Out of the pool, Becca applies her strong character and determination in pursuit of a Pre-Med Biology degree and in the service of others. A constant member of the Dean's list, Becca maintains a 3.8 GPA . Equally impressive, Becca coordinates community outreach programs as a member of the SDSU student-advisory committee. Additionally, Becca volunteers for Mama's Kitchen, a non-profit group that delivers meals to AIDS patients and other sick or disabled individuals who are unable to care for themselves.
Coach Crawford sums it up, "Becca epitomizes the successful student-athlete, making the most of her scholarship athletically and academically."
How does one assess potential? In assessing Raul Bautista's potential, Head Soccer Coach Lev Kirshner used more intuition than test scores. "I tried to give him a vision of education through soccer by offering him a chance at an athletic scholarship if he progress as a player, student, and person. That chance paid off.
The first in his family to go to college, Raul was admitted as a "Category A" student, SDSU's highest special admit category. Determined to succeed, Raul progressed from academic probation to earn the Athletic Department's Academic Initiative Medal and multiple scholar-athlete awards.
A tremendous player and two-time team captain, Bautista led SDSU to a remarkable one-year turn-around, the team's best winning percentage in 11 years, and the first round of the 2005 NCAA Soccer Tournament.
Raul's success reflects the ability of an individual to change their destiny when given the opportunity to succeed.
Leadership, it is often thought, is the result of experience and age. In the world of college athletics, coaches usually look to their most weathered upperclassmen to provide guidance to their youthful teammates. However, in the case of sophomore golf stand-out Aaron Goldberg, leadership knows no age.
A San Diego native from La Costa Canyon High School, Aaron Goldberg used his scholarship to quickly solidify his spot as an excellent player and team leader. As a true freshman, Aaron claimed the U.S. Intercollegiate Tournament at Stanford, one of college golf's most prestigious career titles. Goldberg continued his outstanding play by qualifying for the U.S. Amateur Public Links after winning the San Diego sectional tournament. In just his second season as an Aztec, Goldberg has been named team captain and recognized as a leader among his teammates.
A scholar-athlete as well, the Athletic Department awarded Aaron the coveted 2005-2006 Frank Scott Athletic Endowment. A leader, a champion, and a scholar, Aaron Goldberg shows that youth coupled with wisdom isn't rare on The Mesa.
