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.
JOSH & KRISTY (HERON) STERLING
- Josh (1992-97) majored in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Physical Therapy. He was a part of three league championship teams as a player and, during an eight-year stint as an assistant coach, helped the Seawolves to the 2002 national championship.
- Kristy (1998-01) majored in Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations. She returned to SSU to earn her teaching credential in 2003. A two-time all-conference selection, Kristy helped lead SSU to the national championship game in 1998.
What is your favorite memory as a student-athlete?
Josh: As a player my favorite memory on the field was my 1st start, which came during my freshmen year in the NCAA playoffs against Cal Poly SLO. At the time it was the largest home crowd in the history of SSU Men's Soccer. We played in front of 1500 fans which, in that stadium, felt like a lot! We won 2-0 and booked a date in Seattle with Seattle Pacific. There are a few other on the field moments I remember, but what I really remember is the brotherhood we formed. I remember so many great times on the road, in the locker room and of course at social events. As a coach my favorite memory was the 2002 playoff run to a National Title. To be honest the game was awesome, but it was truly the end of the season and playoff run that was so special. We kept finding ways to win. The boys battled, the ball bounced right and the stars aligned so perfectly. It was an unbelievable journey.
Kristy: My favorite memory as a student-athlete was playing on our home field. Any time we played at home, I felt supported by the community. It was amazing to have people cheering for us and to see that so many people came to see us play. I remember huge crowds during playoffs and feeling a lot of energy from everyone. It was pretty special to be a part of that.
How do you think you changed as a person, from freshman to senior year?
Josh: On the field I changed a lot as a player from my freshmen year to my senior year. As a freshmen I felt like a little boy playing with grown men. I tried to just fit in and do my job. I came in the year after they lost in the national title game, so the expectations were very high. I just didn't want to mess up. As I grew older I could do my job and lead others. I felt I grew into someone that could be a good leader for the team my junior and senior year. I also grew in the classroom. Each year I understood the system and by my junior year had clear direction on what I wanted to study and how best to manage my time. When you get to college there is so much "freedom" that it takes time to learn how to best manage that.
Kristy: As a freshman, I was overwhelmed by playing a sport and going to classes. I lived at home, so I was removed from campus life. My grades weren't great my freshman year, but I slowly started putting the pieces together. By my senior year, I matured and became a better student. I knew my way around campus and worked in the tech department. I had friends from soccer and classes that I could meet up with. I was more social and made connections.
If you could give advice to a freshman student-athlete today, what would it be?
Josh: My advice to a freshmen student athlete would be to make the most of it. Don't take it for granted, cruise, or simply let it pass by. Marcus would tell us "These are the best 4 years of your life. Be sure to make the most of them". When I started to coach with him in 1999 I shared this message to the players as well. It meant that much to me and I wish I understood it earlier. It seems like just words or old guys living in the past when it is shared to you, but it is the truth. It is the closest 99% of the players will get to a professional player experience. The relationships, the traveling, the experiences, the competition, and the journey is like nothing you will get anywhere else. I would scream at the top of a mountain if I thought it would help "Make the most of it, it will be gone before you know it!"
Kristy: My advice would be to enjoy playing your sport! The years go by fast and for most people, college is that last time they play their sport at a competitive level. Student-athletes have extra demands and it can be tough. Not many people get to play sports in college. It's a unique experience. The coaches, athletic directors, and your teammates are a support system to help you navigate through college life. I would also recommend not overloading yourself with challenging courses the first year.
What are you up to these days?
Josh and Kristy live in Windsor with their son, Carson and Parker, and dog Moxy.
Josh: Both of our boys play competitive soccer (of course), basketball and flag football, so our weekends are spent driving around watching them play sports. Out of college I was heavily involved in the local soccer community. I created a soccer club, Sonoma County Alliance (SCA), known today at North Coast FC. I was Director of Coaching there for 8 years. I spent 6 years coaching at SSU. I spent 3 years as General Manager of Santa Rosa United. While working in the soccer world I was pulled into a Wealth Management Firm that had me develop a college planning division that has been very successful in the community. It was basically financial planning for college, which can be a large expense. This quickly lead me to running a consulting firm that works with Business Owners and High Net Worth Individuals with Business Planning, Estate or Legacy Planning and Retirement Planning using Life Insurance strategies. I have worked with Unified Wealth Advisors since 2008 and have been running our Camas Consulting brand for the last 3 years.
Kristy: I teach second grade at Steele Lane Elementary School in Santa Rosa. I also coach a running program at my school for girls called Girls on the Run. Most of my free time is spent watching my boys play sports or just being at home. I picked up distance running after my kids were born and have run two marathons and over ten half marathons.
How did Sonoma State University help prepare you for your career?
Josh: I think SSU prepared me for my career by learning on how to be a team member and build a team. I had the pleasure of getting both a player's experience and a coach's experience from SSU. When dealing with business owners and high net worth individuals, it is all about relationships. We all have the same products and maybe even the same ideas, so people do business with people they like and trust. So, when you are part of a college team, you learn a lot about how to build relationships and gain or give trust.
Kristy: I think being a student-athlete prepared me for teamwork. I am excited about working with others and sharing ideas. I also think completing college was a huge milestone. I am always telling my students that they can be anything they want and should always have college in their plan. College forces people to be accountable for their education and it builds perseverance. I felt the education I received prepared me to do any job after I left.
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.
