Fresno State Athletics
Alumni Spotlight: Connie Negrete
3/29/2024 10:57:00 AM | Women's Basketball
We continue our alumni spotlight with Connie Negrete (1996-99). As a Bulldog, Connie was named to Academic All-WAC three times. The British Columbia native played under head coach Linda Wunder and Britt King from 1996-99. In 1997-98 Negrete was the year-by-year leader in three categories; scoring average, field goal percentage and 3-point field goal percentage leader. In her junior year, Negrete scored 319 points (12.3 avg) through 26 games, shot 40% from the field going 115-of-286 and 38% from the three going 68-of-179.Â
That's not the only place Negrete would find her name on, she holds the seventh most 3-point field goals made from 1996-99. Through 107 career games Negrete made 188 three-pointers.Â
Q: What is your current profession and where do you work?Â
Negrete: I am in my 24th year working as an Elementary Physical Education teacher as well as an Athletic Director for our Elementary Sports in Sanger Unified School District. I also just finished my first semester teaching a Kinesiology class at Fresno State.
Q: What do you enjoy most about you current profession?Â
Negrete: I love working with kids. I enjoy being able to teach them new skills and help them find the enjoyment in physical activity through Physical Education and sports.
Q: How did your time at Fresno State prepare you for your career and life after college?Â
Negrete: My years at Fresno state helped me to develop a strong work ethic. Playing basketball while going to school held me accountable and made me learn to balance many things. Those years made me stronger, not just physically but mentally. There many times I felt overwhelmed but just had to remember the amazing opportunity I was given and work through.
Q: What is your favorite memory as a student-athlete?Â
Negrete: I don't know that I have a favorite memory or if I just simply enjoyed the family I was a party of for 4 years. Moving down to Fresno from Canada, I left everything I knew and loved. My teammates, coaches, trainers and other support staff became family. I am grateful for all of them. I will however always remember graduation and being so proud of all that I had accomplished.
Q: What do you miss most about your time at Fresno State and being a student-athlete?Â
Negrete: I miss playing basketball. It was exhausting, hard work, many hours in the gym, weight room, training room and I would do it all over again. It was my life for 4 years. I miss playing in North Gym. There was something about having the fans so close to you as you played. You could hear and feel their support, it was one of the best feelings.
Q: Looking back at your career, what is one word you'd use to describe it?Â
Negrete: Memorable. I was a young kid who had rarely traveled away from home and moved away and basically started a whole new life. I had to grow up fast and learn how to manage basketball, classes and keeping good grades etc. There were many ups and downs, laughs and tears, injuries and setbacks just as there can be with anything in life but with the support of my family, team, trainers and the Bulldog community I was able to achieve more than I thought possible. I will always remember the role my years at Fresno State played in helping me get to where I am and the person I am today.
Q: What is the biggest piece of advice you would give to current student-athletes?Â
Negrete: Don't ever give up. There will times that life tests you…on the court, playing field or in the classroom but don't quit. Don't let challenges bring you down but rather learn from them, overcome them and use them to grow. There are times when things will be hard, when you're going want to give up…push through and never give up.
Q: If you can give a message to the Fresno State family, what would it be?Â
Negrete: To the Fresno State family…thank you. Thank you for supporting your athletes, thank you for supporting me. You provided me the opportunity to play the sport I loved while earning my degree which allowed me to find the job I have loved doing for the past 24 years. Please continue to support your student- athletes on and off the court. Some of these students have come far and some it's the first time they have been away from home. You are their support system, you are their family and with your support they will be successful.
"Fresno State Athletics - Elevate: Imagine the Possibilities" - The Elevate Campaign provides a visionary roadmap to enhance and construct a series of athletic facilities to help further position Fresno State Athletics for sustained competitive success nationally, while also further serving as a source of pride and economic growth throughout California's Central Valley. For more information, visit GoBulldogs.com/elevate
That's not the only place Negrete would find her name on, she holds the seventh most 3-point field goals made from 1996-99. Through 107 career games Negrete made 188 three-pointers.Â
Q: What is your current profession and where do you work?Â
Negrete: I am in my 24th year working as an Elementary Physical Education teacher as well as an Athletic Director for our Elementary Sports in Sanger Unified School District. I also just finished my first semester teaching a Kinesiology class at Fresno State.
Q: What do you enjoy most about you current profession?Â
Negrete: I love working with kids. I enjoy being able to teach them new skills and help them find the enjoyment in physical activity through Physical Education and sports.
Q: How did your time at Fresno State prepare you for your career and life after college?Â
Negrete: My years at Fresno state helped me to develop a strong work ethic. Playing basketball while going to school held me accountable and made me learn to balance many things. Those years made me stronger, not just physically but mentally. There many times I felt overwhelmed but just had to remember the amazing opportunity I was given and work through.
Q: What is your favorite memory as a student-athlete?Â
Negrete: I don't know that I have a favorite memory or if I just simply enjoyed the family I was a party of for 4 years. Moving down to Fresno from Canada, I left everything I knew and loved. My teammates, coaches, trainers and other support staff became family. I am grateful for all of them. I will however always remember graduation and being so proud of all that I had accomplished.
Q: What do you miss most about your time at Fresno State and being a student-athlete?Â
Negrete: I miss playing basketball. It was exhausting, hard work, many hours in the gym, weight room, training room and I would do it all over again. It was my life for 4 years. I miss playing in North Gym. There was something about having the fans so close to you as you played. You could hear and feel their support, it was one of the best feelings.
Q: Looking back at your career, what is one word you'd use to describe it?Â
Negrete: Memorable. I was a young kid who had rarely traveled away from home and moved away and basically started a whole new life. I had to grow up fast and learn how to manage basketball, classes and keeping good grades etc. There were many ups and downs, laughs and tears, injuries and setbacks just as there can be with anything in life but with the support of my family, team, trainers and the Bulldog community I was able to achieve more than I thought possible. I will always remember the role my years at Fresno State played in helping me get to where I am and the person I am today.
Q: What is the biggest piece of advice you would give to current student-athletes?Â
Negrete: Don't ever give up. There will times that life tests you…on the court, playing field or in the classroom but don't quit. Don't let challenges bring you down but rather learn from them, overcome them and use them to grow. There are times when things will be hard, when you're going want to give up…push through and never give up.
Q: If you can give a message to the Fresno State family, what would it be?Â
Negrete: To the Fresno State family…thank you. Thank you for supporting your athletes, thank you for supporting me. You provided me the opportunity to play the sport I loved while earning my degree which allowed me to find the job I have loved doing for the past 24 years. Please continue to support your student- athletes on and off the court. Some of these students have come far and some it's the first time they have been away from home. You are their support system, you are their family and with your support they will be successful.
"Fresno State Athletics - Elevate: Imagine the Possibilities" - The Elevate Campaign provides a visionary roadmap to enhance and construct a series of athletic facilities to help further position Fresno State Athletics for sustained competitive success nationally, while also further serving as a source of pride and economic growth throughout California's Central Valley. For more information, visit GoBulldogs.com/elevate
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