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.
ETHAN MILLER-BAZEMORE
Men's Soccer 1993-96
Ethan was a 2016 inductee into the SSU Athletics Hall of Fame. Read more about his athletic career here:
Ethan Miller-Bazemore Hall of Fame Bio
What is your favorite memory as a student-athlete?
This is a tough one to answer as there were so many great times during those years. As I've said in the past, I honestly don't even remember the games, plays or goals that well. What I remember is the time away from the field with the guys and the coaches. The crazy times on the road, in the hotels and restaurants. Basically, the family we formed during those years that insulated us from the outside world and allowed us to concentrate on only soccer and school. However, if I had to pick one memory alone, it'd be me telling teammates, friends and family (the summer before the season) that I was going to score 20 goals my senior year. This was basically unheard of in a regular season and I was also a lifelong defender, so it was equivalent to me telling people I'd bat .500 on a baseball team. I scored 21 goals my senior year.
How do you think you changed as a person, from freshman to senior year?
I changed a lot. First off, I was a kid when I arrived at Sonoma. I was 17 years old (think my mom had to sign a note to allow me to live in the dorms) and weighed 140 pounds. Soccer training camp was before the rest of the students arrived, so my fellow players were the ones I first had exposure to - and they seemed old! Once you settle into your routine in the dorms you sort of see that everyone is in the same position and going through the same struggles. I think my biggest change as a person though came during my last year or so at Sonoma. I felt like I was going through a special time then and it showed in my grades and play on the field. I also developed an ability to lead more - both in class and on the field. By the time I had graduated I truly felt I had a good foundation for what life was going to throw at me.
If you could give advice to a freshman student-athlete today, what would it be?
Enjoy every minute of it. Don't be in a hurry to graduate and get out of there - that will come soon enough. You will never be able to go back and get the experience that you are going through right now. I can still vividly recall Marcus Ziemer always saying, "these are the greatest times of your life." Yes, some of the times are rough and you feel like quitting or doing something else, but most of the times are absolute joy. It is your last few years to still be a kid, don't waste em.
What are you up to these days?
I am an estate planning attorney. I draft wills, trusts and other plans that allow people to distribute their assets to loved ones upon their death. It is very intense, but also very rewarding - sort of like my soccer career at SSU.
How did Sonoma State University help prepare you for your career?
Being a student-athlete at Sonoma, on a continuously nationally-ranked team, introduced me to the idea that excellence is something to be achieved and not handed to you. Absolutely anyone can achieve anything in this world - if they work for it. Nothing will be handed to you or given to you. You must go out and grab the opportunities.
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.
See past Varsity S Club Spotlight features here:
Varsity S Club Spotlight Archive.
