SAN DIEGO – The San Diego State Athletics Department hosted its signature event, Dinner with an Aztec, last week bringing together 34 professionals from different industries and 64 senior student-athletes in a unique and eclectic networking event, as part of its Aztec's Going Pro student-athlete development program.
Generously sponsored by E. & J. Gallo, the 7th annual Dinner with an Aztec is an integral part of the Aztecs Going Pro program designed to prepare student-athletes to be the next generation of community leaders and talented young professionals. The event is a special opportunity for student-athletes to interact with professionals and learn more about various professions of interest.
"Dinner with an Aztec was an invaluable experience that gave us the opportunity to network and receive advice from such amazing and inspiring professionals," Courtney Robinson, a senior lacrosse player, who is interested in sports broadcasting, said. "Seeing an entire community come together to support the shared goal of our future success was just another reminder of how truly special the Aztecs Going Pro program is and how lucky we are to be Aztecs."
The evening was kicked-off by John David Wicker, SDSU's Director of Intercollegiate Athletics. "Our Dinner with an Aztec event is an integral part of our Aztecs Going Pro student-athlete development program. I am appreciative to the professionals who volunteered their time to meet our student-athletes and help them start their professional network, and proud of our student-athletes for arriving prepared to take advantage of the opportunity to prepare themselves for the next step on their journey," said Wicker.
Dr. Reggie Blaylock, an SDSU alumnus and former football student-athlete, currently the Presidential Associate for Campus and Community Partnerships, & Student Experience at Cal Poly Pomona was the Emcee of the evening providing dynamic energy. While the two keynote speakers were Greg Chew, California Retail Director at E.& J. Gallo, and Angela LaChica, also an SDSU alum and Founder and CEO of LaChica Sports & Entertainment Group.
"I am particularly proud of this group of seniors who have not only made a difference in their sport but have also really raised the Aztecs Going Pro bar by working hard to refine the skills and tools they need to be successful for life after sports and SDSU,' Danielle Kelly said, SDSU's Student-Athlete Development Coordinator. "These senior student-athletes have completed over 64 hours of civic engagement, personal growth and career development programming throughout their time at SDSU through taking a 1-unit student-athlete development course each year," Kelly noted.
Dinner with an Aztec is an important part of our comprehensive, four-year student-athlete development program, Aztecs Going Pro centered around three foundational pillars: personal growth, career development, and civic engagement. Student-athletes receive yearly innovative programming, one-on-one coaching, and unique experiential learning opportunities to help them create and prepare for their post-graduate plans and build a strong network of connections available through the San Diego State University community. The Aztecs Going Pro program includes four one-unit courses that apply toward graduation requirements.
Aztecs Going Pro Hosts Dinner with an Aztec
