Join Cal Maritime Athletics in celebrating National Girls and Women in Sports Day

"Sports taught me lessons about professionalism by exposing me to different types of leadership, which gave me opportunities to grow as a leader and learn how to respectfully follow those above me."

"Participating and competing in sports also taught me how to be responsible, I learned that my actions affect me and my teammates as well. I learned to take commitments seriously, become responsible for myself and my belongings, how to effectively communicate with my team and my coaches."

All of these traits and skills have become a vital part of who I am today as a student-athlete and leader."

- Maddy Dack
(Vice President, Council of Cadet-Athletes; Women's Soccer)

"Playing sports helped me became a leader, learn how to work with a team of people and figure out ways to succeed. You learn a lot when you play and it can carry over to things like school and work."

"I am happy, and feel good, when I am active and playing any sport."

- Kai Kraus
(Women's Basketball)

"Sports gave me a way to build my confidence, build my leadership skills and provided a space to feel safe and stress-free from whatever was going on in my life. Sports have always been the backbone of my life and something I could always count on." 

"Playing soccer taught me how important it is to work as a team and ensure communication is always taking place. I feel confident using the skills I learned playing soccer when I approach a new job or setting, and adapting them accordingly."

- Emily Silva
(President, Council of Cadet-Athletes; Women's Soccer)

"I was centered and grounded in a team dynamic at an early age and quickly learned the importance of time management, especially since I was a three-sport athlete in high school. Conflict resolution, problem solving, role identification, team building and failure recovery were strong pillars of an athletic experience that created the foundation of who I am as an individual."

"Whether you are an athlete, non-athlete, coach, administrator or support staff, these tenants created by my athletic experiences can help anyone succeed in their personal and professional lives:

Respect: You need to respect your opponent, officials, yourself, the institution you represent, family and personal values.

Trust: You need to trust the process and believe that other individuals, when they interact with you, will do so with a positive, not negative intent.

Believe: With all things, the power of belief is important."

- Karen Yoder
(Director of Athletics and Physical Education)

"Sports immensely impacted my life growing up: My dad is now a retired naval veteran following 25 years of service, which include two wars. There were times when he was gone for six-to-eight months at a time, but when he returned we always bonded over basketball, whether it was him teaching me the game of basketball, us playing one-on-one, him coaching me, or us hanging out together at home watching a game."

"Being a part of a team growing up taught me how to work and communicate with others, handle conflicts and disagreements in various ways. Sports not only fueled my competitive drive and nature, it created memories and friendships that will last a lifetime with former coaches, teammates, or those who I have played against and consider family."

- Denise Bennett
(Head Women's Basketball Coach)

"As the youngest child and only girl of three siblings, I often found myself excluded from sports and other athletics activities by my own brothers.  Despite their best efforts to ditch me, I sometimes found the field or court on my own. 

Fortunately, our church/school (St. Louis Bertrand in Oakland) had an active CYO sports program for boys and girls.  Soon, I had my own group to learn and compete.  My activities included swimming, running/track, basketball and tennis."

"Sports kept me out of trouble (and trouble was all around our neighborhood in East Oakland) and gave me a sense of belonging.  Regardless of the outcome, we were a team and learned to support each other (we didn't need to follow the boys for athletic activities). 

I also developed fundamental physical skills (efficient arm movement, balance, body control, etc.) which helped my confidence grow as well.  I continued in sports all through high school and college.  Although my knees may protest, I continue to stay active and competitive."  

- Angie Hébert
(Head Women's Golf Coach)

"The pressures of training and competition were greater as a youth gymnast than they ever were as a soccer player, so that foundation provided me with the discipline, work ethic and dedication that carried over both into soccer, when I picked up the sport later in life, and in the classroom.

"I also realized how much I loved being involved in a team sport where the pressure and sole focus wasn't on you alone, one could work with other teammates in creating something great. I loved the sense of community and camaraderie created within the team."

- Emily Scheese
(Head Women's Soccer Coach)

"Three core values that I learned through playing sports are discipline, confidence, and respect."

"By being disciplined, I am able to prioritize, compartmentalize, and be where my feet are; I trust my decisions and my abilities because I am confident; being respectful allows me to become an effective employee, colleague, and friend to everyone whose paths cross with mine."

- Mel Baccay
(Assistant Athletic Director)