Rohnert Park, Calif. - A recent award given to a Sonoma State University men's basketball player shows once again that SSU's student-athletes excel in the classroom as well as in competition.

The California Collegiate Athletic Association has named Jacob Salinero, a senior studying Kinesiology at SSU, the 2020-21 men's basketball CCAA Championship Scholar for his high cumulative grade-point average. A native from Halfmoon Bay, Salinero is no stranger to excelling in the classroom as he was named to the CCAA's 2019-20 winter All-Academic team and the 2019-20 All-Academic team.   

"Being selected for this award exemplifies the mantra that through diligent hard work, success becomes possible," Salinero said, a senior guard for the Seawolves. "There will always be ups and downs, but it is how one responds to these challenges that ultimately illustrates one's strength of character. I am thankful for this prestigious acknowledgment, and I will continue to push my limits academically and athletically.

Instituted during the 2017-18 athletic year, the CCAA Championship Scholar Award recognizes a student-athlete's academic and athletic achievement by honoring the individual who has reached the conference championship level in his or her sport while also achieving the highest academic standard among his or her peers. The award is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average participating at the final CCAA championship site in each conference-sponsored sport. With no CCAA competition for the 2020-21 athletic year, all participating student-athletes received consideration for the award.

After transferring from Skyline College in San Bruno, Salinero made his debut during the 2019-20 season where he saw action in 19 games and made 11 starts for the Seawolves. The 6-foot guard became an integral part of the squad after Bryce Thompson, and Kenny Olsem went down with injuries, allowing Salinero to make all 11 of his starts in 11 straight games for SSU to finish the season. Salinero averaged over 20 MPG, just over 6 PPG, and shot a team-high 42% from the 3-point line. Against northern California rival Humboldt State, he recorded a season-high 19 points and a career-high in 3-pointers, sinking 5-7 from beyond the arc. 

Salinero credits his success in the classroom to the organized and efficient structure of the men's basketball program and the SSU Athletics Department for being responsible as a student-athlete. "Accountability is huge and being a student-athlete at Sonoma State requires that kind of discipline". 

Salinero thanks his parents and teachers in the SSU Kinesiology department for dedicating their time and efforts to help him succeed in every way possible as a student-athlete. "I would like to thank my parents for instilling an excellent standard in our household for academic excellence as well as following our passions in life. I would like to thank the teachers for devoting their time to helping me whenever I am in need," he said. 

Head coach Rich Shayewitz had this to say about Salinero and being selected for the award. "A big congratulations to Jacob for being named the CCAA Men's Basketball Championship Scholar. He is an extremely hard worker who takes so much pride in excelling in the classroom. He is setting a great example for all of our student-athletes" (Shayewitz, HC).

Congratulations once again to SSU men's basketball student-athlete Jacob Salinero on his academic achievements and being named the 2020-21 CCAA MBB Championship Scholar. For the full CCAA release and the other conference nominees, click the link below. 

2020-21 CCAA M/WBB Championship Scholar Release