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.
DANAE WELLANDER
Women's Basketball 2006-2008
Danae was a 2014 inductee into the SSU Athletics Hall of Fame. Read more about her athletic career here:
Danae Wellander Hall of Fame Bio & Video
What is your favorite memory as a student-athlete?
My favorite memory as a student-athlete would have to be the road trips. From having to pack our bags to be gone for days at a time, to my mom baking individual pumpkin bread loafs for each player, to driving for hours and hours in a 15 passenger white van. Some of the best memories we made as a team were on our road trips. We definitely bonded as a team going into the opposing team's gym, dealing with their home court advantage and figuring out a way to carry out the game plan and bring home a victory. And to end the road trips there was nothing like pulling back into the SSU parking lot and seeing all of our cars still parked there and knowing we were back home.
How do you think you changed as a person, from freshman to senior year?
I think from my freshman year to my senior year I grew a lot as a player and as an individual. As a player, I began my career a little insecure and unsure of myself and exactly what I had to offer. By my senior year I had recognized my strengths and worked on my weaknesses. I was aware of where I could be a great asset to the team and I was able to recognize other areas where I had to rely on my teammates to pick me up. By my senior year, I would say that I had developed into a mature basketball player with good leadership skills. As a person, my freshman year was the first time I lived away from home and I had to start making decisions on my own and being responsible for myself. Over the years, I grew as an individual. I learned what I wanted for my life, what I expected from myself, and how to be proud of who I am.
If you could give advice to a freshman student-athlete today, what would it be?
My advice to a freshman student-athlete today would be to embrace every single moment of your collegiate career. Take in the good with the bad and really live in the moment. Don't be scared to be you. College was no doubt the best time of my life. It's where I made life long friends, got my degree and was molded into a mature, confident human being. And I had a blast doing so. I wouldn't change my college days for anything.
What are you up to these days?
Living in Sonoma, I'm currently in the process of getting hired as a permanent firefighter. It's something that's I've been working towards for the past 3 years. It's a very exciting time for me because I've finally found my calling and it's becoming a reality. Over the past two summers I've worked as a seasonal firefighter with Marin County Fire Department where I've gained some unbelievable experience and knowledge. I am also currently working at Trader Joe's where I've been for the past 9 years.
How did Sonoma State University help prepare you for your career?
SSU helped me prepare for my career in so many different ways. The fire service is very team oriented. Each person in the fire service has a job and in order for the entire crew to be successful, each person must carry out their task and be selfless. Being a team captain at SSU helped me prepare for being a mentor to other people in the fire service. SSU and my experience there also helped confirm my love for people. I love being able to help people in any way I can. I would like to thank SSU and my teammates and coach for all of the support and love throughout my years at Sonoma and I hold all of the memories we made dear to my heart.
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.
