Sonoma State Athletics is excited to announce a new feature. Through the
Varsity S Club Spotlight we'll re-connect with student-athletes of the past. This series will illustrate the impact that a Sonoma State University education has on student-athletes and highlights the impact they are now having in their communities.
KEVIN CHRISTENSEN
Men's Basketball 2001-06
Check out Kevin's book,
Bench Rules: A Guide To Success On And Off The Court, at
https://www.amazon.com/Bench-Rules-Guide-Success-Off/dp/1466252340
What is your favorite memory as a student-athlete?
My favorite memory as a student-athlete was capturing the men's basketball programs first ever CCAA championship in my senior year (2005-06). It was my fifth year in the program, after redshirting my freshman season, and being able to accomplish such a tremendous feat with my teammates and coaches is something I will never forget. For me having been a part of the program for five years, having faced many different challenges, to have it culminate with a conference championship was the best possible way I could end my career. Also, I formed many different bonds and friendships with so many different teammates in my time at SSU, and that one moment was one we could all celebrate together, one in which we could all appreciate and understand the work that went into it.
How do you think you changed as a person, from freshman to senior year?
From my freshman year to my senior year I was shaped and changed in many different ways. As a basketball player I had a better understanding of the game of basketball, my skills were at the highest level possible, and my body was stronger and more prepared to be successful on the court.
Perhaps the biggest change for me came off the court, through the education I received at Sonoma State in the classroom. I believe the biggest gift I was given is my college education, it taught me how to think deeper and more critically about all aspects of life and the decisions that I make. It taught me to not accept any one "answer" without researching it myself, and that there can be many different views and "answers" to a problem. However, the biggest way my education shaped me at SSU is that it sparked a passion for learning, a passion that I still have to this day. As I get older and learn more about myself and try to understand the world around me, I feel more and more like the Albert Einstein quote: "the more I learn, the more I realize how much I don't know". With the foundation I was given at SSU I have the tools necessary to try and answer the questions, problems, and issues that arise, whether it be at work, home, or the world in general.
If you could give advice to a freshman student-athlete today, what would it be?
My advice to a freshman student-athlete is to embrace the challenges, on and off the court/field/track. One of the best ways to improve as an athlete and person is to get out of your comfort zone, you must be able to be comfortable being uncomfortable. Becoming a student and athlete at the college level will present all kinds of challenges you have never faced, whether it is competing against better competition, a more demanding training schedule, or learning new concepts in the classroom, you will be forced to adapt and change, and you will be better for it. You will never have a season where you are free from facing adversity, if you can learn to embrace those times and understand they make you better, you will be a successful student, teammate, athlete, and person.
What are you up to these days?
For the last 9 years I have been the Associate Director of Athletics and Physical Education at Sonoma Academy, an independent college prepatory high school in Santa Rosa, CA. Everyday I get a chance to work with SSU legend and hall of famer, Chris Ziemer, our Director of Athletics and Physical Education. Together we plan, implement, and manage our PE classes and athletics program. I think the best way to fully explain what we do comes from the first part of our department's mission statement:
- We call our student-athletes to pursue victory with honor. We promote and teach all Sonoma Academy students the values of integrity, self-discipline, sportsmanship, teamwork, creativity, and commitment. We promote these characteristics while fielding a competitive interscholastic sports program and promoting lifelong physical education habits.
How did Sonoma State University help prepare you for your career?
Like I said earlier, Sonoma State helped me think more critically when faced with any question, problem or issue. I think my time as an athlete helped me deal with adversity and taught me how to get through it with a positive attitude and outlook. As a coach and athletic administrator you have to learn to manage players, coaches, officials, fans, and parents in all kinds of situations, both positive and negative. My background and experience as an athlete definitely helps me in all my interactions with these groups.
I think the other major career preparation I received from Sonoma State, which helps me with my daily interactions with players, coaches, officials, fans, and parents, is the ability to communicate effectively. Whether it is a letter, e-mail, or verbal communication, I feel confident in my ability to portray the message I need to get across, which is one of the most important aspects of my job.
ABOUT THE VARSITY S CLUB
The Varsity S Club is an exclusive group of past and present Sonoma State University student-athletes, coaches, cheerleaders, athletic trainers, and administrators formed for the purpose of building enthusiasm for Sonoma State University Athletics. The Varsity S Club does this through a variety of philanthropic, fundraising, and social events designed to strengthen SSU Athletics. Membership in the Varsity S Club is open to any individual who has competed in varsity athletics at Sonoma State University, as well as any past member of the cheer team, athletic training, or administrative staff. Sign up here:
Varsity S Club.
