The guidelines for the Hal Charnofsky Memorial Award winners leave member institutions a lot of leeway when it comes to who they choose for the award. The lone requirement is that: "Recipients have distinguished themselves in the classroom and in their sport." Many Chico State student-athletes meet that criteria. So, the committee looks deeper, for someone who has also distinguished themselves in the athletics community through service to their fellow student-athletes and by setting an example for those who follow.
In 2022, Matthew Herrera's name rose to the top. The Hal Charnofsky Memorial Award winner and Wildcat of the Week has impacted Chico State's Department of Athletics in both word and deed.
He was a walk-on in 2016, and with three years of hard work, made his way onto the cross country team's postseason roster as a junior, eventually earning consecutive All-Conference honors and All-West Region accolades, helping lead the Wildcats to two conference and two regional titles. He earned All-CCAA honors in track & field, finishing third in the 1,500 meters in 2019.
Herrera earned 2020 and 2022 U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association All-Academic honors and CCAA All-Academic accolades in 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21, and 2021-22.
Herrera already has a degree in kinesiology and is currently working toward a master's degree in kinesiology with an emphasis in adapted physical activity. He plans to pursue a career in coaching and adapted physical activity.
