Chico State Athletics

The young soccer players Garrett Hogbin trains range in age from 10 to 23. Some are working on their finishing skills, others on their footwork and dribbling. Hogbin is helping out in those areas, no doubt. He's also always trying to cultivate in them conviction on the defensive end.
 
The two-year Chico State team captain and winner of the 2020–21 Bud Hanna Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award is likely teaching those understudies more than he is aware.
 
After all, that's been his story. Hogbin credits his teammates, coach, and professors for teaching him more than they may have realized at the time, helping him reach his potential as a student and athlete.
 
Hogbin recently graduated from Chico State after spending four seasons in the men's soccer program building a reputation as a defensive virtuoso, brilliant leader, and gifted finisher. Quietly, he also put together the kind of academic resume that surprised even himself.

The Bud Hanna Male Scholar-Athlete Award (sponsored by InterWest Insurance Services, LLC) is a post-graduate scholarship awarded to one male student-athlete who has demonstrated excellence in his academic and athletic pursuits. Nominees must have completed their intercollegiate athletic eligibility during this academic year in one of Chico State's NCAA-sponsored sports.

Inspiration gleaned from his coaches, teammates and professors helped Hogbin earn the prestigious award.

Not bad for a young man who did not come to Chico State with a glowing academic resume, and then got off to a bit of a slow start in the classroom.
As it turned out, Chico State and Hogbin were a perfect pair.

"Being a part of the Chico State men's soccer team teaches you to be high performance in whatever area of your life you want to succeed in," Hogbin said. "In my case school needed my attention. Community and family as well—relationships. (Head Coach Felipe Restrepo's) leadership program and everything we learn as soccer players is about paying attention to what you want to improve and working on it. I learned how to prioritize those things and take steps in order to get that high performance I was looking for."
 
Hogbin's teammates, many of whom shared experiences with him, illuminated pathways he could travel down.
 
"I was submersed in the culture of the program and it changed my mindset about school," Hogbin said. "Being surrounded by guys who are working on themselves to create better versions of themselves helped me recognize my weaknesses and pushed me to get help when I needed it instead of trying to get through everything on my own."
 
Hogbin followed in the footsteps of veterans Omar Nuño and Isaiah Dargan on the pitch and worked to emulate upperclassmen Sasha Paranteau and Carter Johnson academically.
 
"I watched (Paranteau and Johnson) my first year and started spending time with them and saw their development," Hogbin said. "By the time they were done they had nice jobs lined up. Seeing that it was possible and knowing they were the same major as me made it visible for me that I could achieve it if I worked at it."

Hogbin also found inspiration from folks in other areas of campus. One professor that helped spark his academic determination is lecturer Curtis Peldo in the Department of Philosophy.

Peldo remembers Hogbin, but had no idea the impact he was having on the young man while teaching his Logic and Critical Thinking class.

"Garrett struck me as a fairly confident and serious student, but also as critical thinker," said Peldo. "He was generally actively engaged in the classroom, and at times I remember observing him in what appeared to be deep thought. I remember looking at him—it was as if I could see the wheels moving upstairs!

"I guess I suspected that Garrett felt the class was worthy at the time, but really had no idea the class made that much of an impression. I was also unaware of Garrett's recent successes as the male scholar athlete of the year. I am so pleased to know that Garrett is flourishing and that he deeply values his educational experiences at Chico State. It is moments like this that make teaching at Chico State so rewarding."

For his part, Peldo had a style that engaged Hogbin academically in a way he had not yet experienced.

"His class was nothing like I had ever taken before," recalls Hogbin. "It was hard but it was interesting and opened my mind up to the value of learning besides just the grade at the end. Although it was hard and I didn't get an A in the class, I genuinely learned and had my preconceived ideas challenged. It opened my eyes to what college is about. It's not necessarily all about the paper at the end. It's about the wealth of knowledge that you earn over time at a special place."

He paused for a moment and then said: "That guy's a legend."
 
Hogbin, who graduated in December with a degree in business marketing and has since moved back home to Orange County to play professionally for California United Strikers FC, made himself into a legend as well. He is an All-American, California Collegiate Athletic Association Defensive Player of the Year nominee, two time All-West Region and All-Conference selection, two-year team captain, and Chico State Male Scholar Athlete of the Year.

"Garrett has been our team captain and one of the best leaders we've had during my tenure as head coach," Restrepo said. "He made every moment count and was focused on improving himself and the team. There are no limits for this young man."

Hogbin is certain that his collegiate experience helped prepare him for the pros.

"It's been really challenging. It's a different environment but I feel like I was ready," Hogbin said. "I've risen to the challenge and I'm making strides, more than I even know. I think my game is getting better even more than I can say."

Hogbin worked his way into the starting role and then scored his first professional goal in the Strikers' third match of the campaign.
ttps://twitter.com/CalUtdStrikers/status/1386013337310347269?His former Chico State teammate, Nuño, is also on the team. Hogbin could be making his third start Wednesday at 7 p.m. when the Strikers host Detroit City FC. Here is a link to watch the match.

"You earn your spot each week," he noted.

Hogbin is currently reaping the rewards of his time at Chico State. The Male Scholar Athlete of the Year has built a legacy as a young athlete who grew into a model student-athlete.

"I was absolutely shocked and honor to receive this award," he said. "Blessed is the main word I would use after everything I've been through from my freshman to my senior year."

His coaches, teammates and professors might add another: built. Built by his coaches, teammates and professors, and build by his own determination to become the best he can be at everything he sets his mind to.
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