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.
KAI EDWARDS
- Kai Edwards attended Sonoma State University from 2001 to 2003, graduating with a degree in Multi Cultural Studies. A member of the Seawolves' 2002 National Championship Men's Soccer Team, Kai also spent one season with the Sonoma State Men's Basketball Team. His coaching career has taken him from Sonoma State to UC Santa Barbara, Saint Mary's, Arizona State, and now MIchigan, in addition to some of the top clubs in the nation. See this week's press release on Kai's appointment at Michigan.
What is your favorite memory as a student-athlete?
I have two favorite memories from my time at SSU. The first one was when we went to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico as a team and played against a couple very talented teams. The experience of playing in another country and against professionals and grown men was amazing. To do it with some of your future life long friends made it even better.
The second one was when Coach Fuscaldo offered me a spot on the basketball team at the conclusion of my college soccer career. It was an amazing experience to play with future SSU Hall of Famer J.T. Tipton and others. My last game of the year, Coach started me and after the tip, the ball started heading out of bounds. I dove to save it and the bench went crazy. Future Hall of Famer Kevin Christensen created the bench mob culture and it was fun.
How do you think you changed as a person, from freshman to senior year?
WOW. We do not have enough time for the full answer, but I started at a community college then went to San Francisco State, where I met my future wife. I then transferred to Sonoma State. I had many "crossroads" moments in college but none bigger than the spring before my senior year. After a long run with the team, I finished dead last and the coaches were waiting for me. We had a meeting and I was challenged to raise my level and get fit or quit. That night I went home and cried. The next day I created a plan and attacked it. At the conclusion of my senior year I was awarded the " Most Improved" award. I did not come into college with that fight, but I left with it. Marcus Ziemer, Josh Sterling, Fred Jungemann, and Josh Schelhorse helped me become a fighter .
If you could give advice to a freshman student-athlete today, what would it be?
Everything is important. Your successes and your failures are equally as important. The years you invest in your future at college will help shape you for the rest of your life. You will find life long friends and will face many crossroads. Cherish it all and live it to the fullest. If you do not enjoy college you are doing something wrong.
What are you up to these days?
Irecently accepted a position as an Assistant Women's Soccer coach at the University of Michigan under Head Coach Greg Ryan, former U.S.A. Women's National team coach, and along side Assistant Coach Tiffany Hansen. I am leaving my role as Sereno Soccer Club Girl's Director of Coaching as well as my position on staff at Arizona State University.
My wife and I were married in 2013 . Tessa was a volleyball player at San Francisco State, which was hard to get past, but she is from Sebastopol and understands a Co-Wolf (Editor's Note: Cossack-Seawolf) is better than a Gator. Tessa is originally from Minnesota so we are happy to move to the Midwest, where we are closer to her family.
How did Sonoma State University help prepare you for your career?
Sonoma State was an amazing experience. SSU taught me to work hard and smart no matter what. Sometimes things will not go as planned, such as your school changing its mascot for your last 2 years, but you have to roll with the punches. Marcus Ziemer, Pat Fuscaldo, Rich Shayewitz and other coaches and staff prepare you to find ways to be successful in life through knowledge and grit. The Sonoma State culture is a very close and prideful culture, so it makes you look for that same culture in life and in your work place. You also learn that if it isn't there, you can go and create it. Being a SSU graduate is a blessing for anyone who has the opportunity . CO-WOLF for LIFE!
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.
