Fresno State Athletics
A Bulldog Giving Back: A Look Back at Former Fresno State Student-Athletes
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Jan. 31, 2000
FRESNO, Calif. - Sandi Lowe (Piearcy) is where she has always wanted to be - at home.
Many Fresno State Bulldogs, past and present, dream of giving back to their hometowns which gave them so much. Lowe is currently the Learning Director of Lemoore High School.
Lowe attended Fresno State from 1977-1982 where she played four years of volleyball, one year of softball, and one year of basketball. Looking back on her time at Fresno State was a period of excitement, maturity, and independence.
"My time at Fresno State is one of the best experiences of my life," Lowe said. "I took advantage of what I could as a female student-athlete at Fresno State and came away with a well-rounded experience and a better person for it."
Entering Fresno State in 1977, Lowe's court time in volleyball was shared with her time on the field with the Bulldog softball team her freshman year. Finding her niche in volleyball as a hitter, she spent four illustrious years under CVCA National Coach of the Year Leilani Overstreet. Catching the eye of then women's basketball coach Bob Spencer, Lowe continued her success on the court her final semester as a forward as the Bulldogs claimed the Northern California Athletic Conference championship title.
Helping the volleyball program to its first ever 20-win season in 1979 (22-12), Lowe garnered second team NorCal honors and was the team's most inspirational player. In 1980 she earned first team NorCal honors and was the team's most valuable player.
The university did not keep official volleyball statistics for individual players until 1981 but Lowe's impact on the game opened the eyes of others. With fifth-year scholarships yet to be available to student-athletes, Lowe jumped at the chance to have one more semester to don a Bulldog uniform.
"I was excited to continue in Fresno State athletics and also excited about finding a way to pay for my last semester of school," Lowe said. "Student-athletes are much more fortunate with the opportunities and scholarship monies they get these days. For me, I just wanted to play and absorb all the experiences that I could being a Bulldog."
In the spring of 1982 Lowe graduated from Fresno State with a degree in physical education. She then moved to Texas with her husband Robert where she taught and coached at a local high school. In 1984 she came back to Fresno State to assist Overstreet and stayed on as an assistant for seven years before being offered a job in her hometown.
Having lived in Lemoore with her husband of 17 years, Robert, and two daughters, Lindsey, age nine and Katie, age six, Lowe has also earned her masters degree from Chapman University. From athletics to the position as a head coach to an assistant principal to the learning director for Lemoore High School, Lowe relied on her athletic experience of teamwork and just plain hard work.
"I have always wanted to stay involved in athletics," she said. "It has been such a big part of my life. I enjoyed sharing what I've learned and was happy to pass along my advice as a student and as an athlete."
For five years she was the varsity volleyball coach at Lemoore High School but as athletics change so does the course of life. Making the sacrifice Lowe made the transition from the sidelines to an administrator.
Looking back at her experiences as a college athlete she has seen tremendous strides that women have made in collegiate sports.
"In the early 1980's women's athletics were still in the beginning stage. When I came back to assist Coach Overstreet I could already see the changes that were made. There are many more opportunities for student-athletes today, especially women," Lowe said. "I feel very fortunate for the opportunities I was given. We should all be excited that today there are many more opportunities in all the facets of sport for all boys and girls and men and women."
Independence, self-reliance and confidence in a job well done as a student-athlete has inspired this former Bulldog into a leader of today in sport and education.