Aug. 28, 2014
SAN DIEGO - For the next 20 weeks, we will look at every varsity women's water polo team in school history. This week we take a peek at the first-ever group - the 1995 squad. The Aztecs qualified for the National Water Polo Championships and advanced to the final where they ultimately fell in the title game to Slippery Rock, 8-7. The national runners-up finished with a 24-8 record under the direction of head coach Deena Schmidt.
Where are they now?
Shae Philpott, who is now Shae Palmer, was a member of the inaugural team and lettered at SDSU from 1995-98.
In her words: "I have such fond memories of San Diego State University and being a student-athlete, it really helped shape who I am today and gave me such a solid foundation on how to grow as a woman, and businesswoman."
Three questions for Shae:
1. What was one of your favorite memories of the 1995 season?
"Coming into SDSU as a freshman in 1995, and also having it be the first varsity season, thanks in many parts to Title IX, was exciting! We were recognized by the school, the conference and ultimately the collegiate community as being as important as many other sports, including men's water polo. It was a big step for women! That year, my favorite memory was making it to the Women's Collegiate Finals, against Slippery Rock University. We finished second in the nation. WOW, it was amazing, and I was also honored with NCAA first-team All-America honors for that year. SO COOL!"
2. What did being an Aztec student-athlete mean to me?
"Being an Aztec student-athlete to me meant success. Success that I had made it to a level of athleticism that I had dreamed of, and success at graduating with a college degree was within reach! I ALWAYS had the support of not only the coaching staff for academics, but the SDSU athletic department made sure we had all of the resources we needed to be successful! Tutors, study time, counselors, and a staff that cared! Graduating with a degree was part of the process and focus of being a student-athlete, and you had to balance it well, but SDSU made it possible!"
3. Where are you living now and what are you doing?
"Most importantly I am mother of two wonderful children, Nialah (8) and Justice (6)! They keep me on my toes! My career now: After graduating college I spent six years as a computer engineer in Northern California, then spent another six years in Texas. While in Texas, I opened and ran one of our family coffee shops/roasteries until we decided to move it across country to the beautiful Oregon coast in Depoe Bay where most of my family was living and our main coffee shop was located. In 2011, we opened our second location in Lincoln City, Oregon. Being an entrepreneur has been a lot of work, but also rewarding. We are a mainstay in our local community, and not just 'a coffee shop.' We have been in business 13 years, have several employees, and are very involved in the community! Having this business has allowed me to enjoy so much precious time with my family in such a beautiful area of the country. Looking back at my student-athlete career at SDSU, I can absolutely see how my experiences working with my water polo team and balancing my academics has helped me to be a successful business owner today."
Stay Connected with SDSU Water Polo
Make sure to stay updated with Aztec water polo by liking them on Facebook, and following them on Twitter and Instagram.
Former Aztecs can also stay connected with other former student-athletes through the Aztec Varsity Club. For more information on the newly formed athletics group, visit goaztecs.com/avc or contact Johanna Pfeiffer at (619) 594-6444 or aztecvarsityclub@mail.sdsu.edu.