What university would not be proud of its students, when from year to year they are nominated for high sports titles and they are awarded the highest awards and honors. It also happened in the case of San José State University. The last few sports seasons since 2014, summing up the results of each of them, in the end, many Spartans from San Jose get into the top lists and occupy one of the highest places in the results of the overall performance.
The establishment, which is located in the US in the state of California, has gathered within its walls about 30 thousand students, most of whom from the first days of study there devote the lion’s share of their lives to sports. This is facilitated by the sports spirit of the institution, which is supported by professional coaches from year to year. Sports are a special segment for an educational institution. Every year, the University develops an increasingly motivational athletic scholarship program that brings together many really talented and promising athletes to the San Jose Spartans. Thanks to the diligent efforts of the track and field athletes, the University of San Jose has been holding the title of “Speed University” for several years, as it was the track and field team that managed to win many Olympic medals. And there are hundreds of such examples.
Sport is an especially important part of the entire life of the Spartans. Reaching the National Collegiate Athletic Association level is the desired level for everyone. To do this, athletes are ready to train day and night, to make every possible effort. For those who reach such a high level, the next goals are awards and honors from sports experts. It is this element that many students of the Establishment of San Jose, who represent sports such as men’s and women’s football, volleyball, baseball, water polo, golf, gymnastics and tennis, can be proud of. Spartans participating in the inter-establishment sports tournaments represent the sports teams of the establishment. Such teams most often compete in conferences in various sports. The most famous conference is Mountain West, whose recognition and prizes every athlete dreams of winning.
To date, the arsenal of University athletes already has many national titles in gymnastics, golf, tennis, athletics and football. What’s more, as of the end of the 2021 season, Spartan teams have already won 11 tag team championships. In addition, the University can be proud of 52 accomplished champions.
The persistent efforts brought the University of San José a total of twenty-two Olympic medals (among which eight gold, ten silver and four bronze), with the very first medal being gold and it went into the arsenal in the middle of the 20th century. Olympic medals were won in judo, water polo, volleyball and boxing.
Mountain West honored two players on the University’s football team, quarterback Starkel and player Hart, with their prizes. This level was achieved thanks to a brilliant performance during the 2021 season closing game against the University of Utah.
In Starkel’s case, his five passes to various receivers during the match were duly appreciated, as was his goal in the opening minutes of the sporting event. Bright touchdowns were also not ignored. In 75% of playing time, the quarterback managed a total of about 25 passes. Mountain West’s level of performance was praised and awarded Starkel his well-deserved title.
As for the Hart player, he turned out to be a rookie for the 2021 season. What is even more amazing is how he managed to win the Mountain West title in just one year of his performances. Hart managed to land a decisive attack twice and throw the balls without a return. Thanks to Hart’s efforts, the team’s average was 15% better than last year. Mountain West chose him as an example of how an athlete can grow in one year and what results he can demonstrate.
University of San Jose football quarterbacks Fejoko and Hall have been nominated for the 2021 Ted Hendricks Award Player of the Year list. The name of the prize was given in honor of the first football player in history who managed to successfully win all possible awards of American intercollegiate football for four years in the middle of the 20th century. Since then, this prize has been given annually at the end of the season to the best defensemen between establishment teams. Of the factors that influence the choice of nominees for the prizes, the following can be distinguished: attitude towards victorious attacks, leadership, impact on the performance of the game as a whole and ambition. All these factors are objectively assessed by the Award Board throughout the entire football season.
In 2021, it was the students of the University of San Jose who were awarded the right to be included in the list of nominees for the prize. Only five matches were enough to select Fehoko and Hall. In the last meeting, both of these players had a total of three victorious attacks and six ball tackles. Thus, they contributed to the victory of their team.
Of course, every athlete who has ever been nominated or received any award or award rises to the next level in their sports career, takes steps towards a brighter future. But do not forget that the success of the students of the University also adds prestige to the educational institution itself, which also positively affects its level among other universities and sports departments in particular. Who knows, maybe someday we will find out about San José State University as a world sports hub that produces reigning world champions.