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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
