Back home in Fresno, Chico State men's soccer player Anais Mayo is making a strong argument for the folks who like to call it Fres-yes!
"I'm trying to run three miles, work out, get touches on the ball, spend time with my family, and read every day. I think I've been pretty productive," Mayo said.
That's in addition to doing his homework, which the legal studies major says is actually more challenging than ever in this virtual setting.
When Mayo does have a moment of down time, he says he's been listening to the latest records by Lil Uzi Vert and Tame Impala.
For those who know Mayo well—his coaches, teammates, friends, and family—it isn't likely surprising that he hasn't let the sudden changes brought on by COVID-19 keep him from staying engaged.
The Wildcat of the Week has known since his early years of high school that he wanted to go to law school. He excelled on the pitch in the prep and club seasons. After redshirting as a freshman at Chico State, he earned 2017–18 California Collegiate Athletic Association All-Academic honors. He spent last summer interning for United States Senator Kamala Harris. And he's been heavily involved in the Chico Sunrise Movement and participates in weekly virtual meetings.
"Our main goal is to make Climate Change the number one priority moving forward," Mayo said. "I reached a point where I realized that if I don't do what I can to make this a pressing issue then I'm part of the problem."
He's also participated in voter registration as part of the organization.
While interning for Senator Harris, Mayo manned a phone line and listened to the concerns of people from throughout the nation.
"It taught me how to speak to different people from different backgrounds. But the biggest thing It taught me is how to listen," Mayo said. "The whole point of the job is to be an ear for the senator. You just needed to hear them out and summarize their concerns and then pass that information on."
Mayo likened the experience to being a student-athlete.
"We represent our team, the athletics department, and sometimes even the entire University," Mayo said. "It's important to realize that whatever impression we give to people might be the only impression they have of Chico State. Or one of only a few. So, it's important that we leave them with a good impression."
Mayo, who is heading into his junior season on the pitch, plans to graduate following the fall semester of 2021 and then attend law school.
For a long time, he thought he might be a defense attorney. Lately, however, his focus has shifted to environmental law and entertainment law.
