Nov. 28, 2007
SAN DIEGO - In celebration of Girls and Women in Sports Day, goaztecs.com will be catching up with former Aztecs to see where life has taken them after graduation. Alicia Stuebner, a four year participant on the women's crew team, has shared her experiences as a collegiate athlete and the successes she has achieved in life.
Alicia was a critical part of the crew team from 1999-2003, earning the Most Valuable Novice award during the 1999-2000 season, and holding the title of team captain during the 2002-2003 season. She still holds the team leg press record of 1,010 pounds. Alicia graduated from SDSU in 2003 with a degree in women's studies and earned scholar-athlete honors for six semesters. After graduation, Alicia became an assistant coach for SDSU and a rowing instructor at the Mission Bay Aquatic Center for two years. She now resides in her home town of Tempe, Ariz., and is currently pursuing her master's degree in public administration at Arizona State University. Alicia is still continuing her love for athletics by holding the assistant recreation coordinator position for the city of Tempe Parks and Recreation department.
What made you choose to go to San Diego State?
The chance to be on the water everyday in such a beautiful city while attending a great university was too much to pass up.
What did it mean for you to be a part of the San Diego State athletic community?
Being a part of the athletic community made my college experience what it was. I didn't have the typical college experience since I was getting up everyday at 4:30 a.m., but because I was an athlete I made it my own and it was unforgettable. The department was so helpful and when I got to school as a freshman I instantly had friends since I was an athlete.
What is your favorite part about your job?
My favorite part of my job is working with people. I get to meet so many people and introduce them to rowing which has been my passion for eight years. I also enjoy working with the high school athletes that I coach. They make everyday interesting.
How do you feel that being an SDSU athlete contributed to your success in life?
Being an SDSU athlete gave me the skills to be a good athlete, student/employee, and a good coach. Everyday I take something that I learned at SDSU and apply it to my life.
How do you feel about being an SDSU alum?
I love it. People are always fascinated to know that in addition to my academic classes you could also take surfing.
What is your best memory from SDSU athletics?
My best memory would have to be my team members. The memories I have are not always of which races I won, but who I won them with. I am still very close with many of my team members, talking to two of them specifically everyday on the phone. They are so important to me and without rowing they never would have been in my life.
What advice do you have for girls and women in sports today?
Know that you are strong, know that you are independent, know that you are capable of anything. Take every opportunity given to you. Athletics will help shape your life in so many ways and make you a better person.
What differences do you see between opportunities for girls and women in sport today versus when you participated?
Everyday I see more opportunities for women in sports, there are more roles models for women today to follow. I also see athletes that see success in muscles not makeup.
What in your life makes you the most proud?
I am most proud of where I have been and what I have learned. It makes the future seem infinite.
Anything interesting you would like to share about your life?
During my second year coaching at SDSU I was contacted to be a featured extra in the romantic comedy "Must Love Dogs" as a rower. The final scene takes place on a lake and almost all of the rowers in the boat with Diane Lane are SDSU Alumni Rowers. Specifically I am the one wearing sunglasses.