MORE THAN AN ATHLETE
7/12/2024 4:27:00 PM | General, Men's Basketball, Men's Tennis, Women's Basketball, Women's Beach Volleyball, Women's Tennis
Bronco teams and student-athletes found ways to make a difference for those in the community and truly leaned into becoming more than an athlete. Feature stories include the following.
* Chinma Njoku Selected to Speak at Commencement
* Community Impact: Team
* Community Impact: Student-Athletes
Chinma Njoku Selected to Speak at Commencement
This is an excerpt from a feature story originally published on Dec. 15. For the full story, please click here.
Chinma Njoku arrived on campus with massive expectations for herself. A decorated two-sport athlete from Century High School in Pocatello, Idaho, Njoku was coming off a season where she was named the 4A Player of the Year after leading the Diamondbacks to a perfect 27-0 record and a state championship.
She came to Boise State to become a member of the distinguished women’s basketball program that was coming off its third-straight Mountain West Championship title. Possessing a raw athleticism that the program hadn’t seen, expectations were high for Njoku.
Unfortunately, multiple injuries derailed her playing career and she medically retired prior to the 2022-23 season. Though she came to Boise State with expectations of athletic glory, Njoku quickly pivoted and focused on making an impact off the court and in the local community. She was determined to find a way to stay involved with the program and serve others, and it was important to her to maintain a high academic standard.
Her perseverance, determination and work ethic led to one of the most prestigious recognitions for a student at Boise State as she was selected as one of two student speakers at commencement on Saturday, Dec. 16.
Community Impact
Team
- Beach Volleyball
Female Student-Athletes
- Joana Baptista, Women's Tennis
- Sierra Land, Beach Volleyball
Male Student-Athletes
- Tyson Degenhart, Men's Basketball
- Caden Moortgat, Men's Tennis
Beach Volleyball
The 2023-24 Beach Volleyball roster was a special group of women whose collective attitude and effort to positively impact the community at large is noteworthy. While coaches Allison Voigt and Alex Venardos have adopted a team culture built around these expectations - this cohort of individuals, whose backgrounds and interests widely vary; showed up for others above and beyond, volunteering their time and talent in a myriad of ways and for several causes.
One of the team's favorite projects is the Boise Rewild Project. The organization’s mission is to “protect the Boise River now and into the future. The team volunteered as a group - picking up trash, planting trees and rewilding native vegetation.
Additionally - these women also spent numerous hours in Boise elementary classrooms - serving lunches, reading to kids and speaking on the importance of nutrition, sportsmanship and kindness - influencing the next generation of community-minded athletes.
Joana Baptista, Women's Tennis
Joana Baptista, representing women’s tennis, has a quiet confidence that stops you in your tracks. With a heart for all, her capacity to serve with compassion and uplift those around her, truly knows no bounds. Whether it's connecting with the youth at the juvenile detention center, reading to children at local elementary schools or coordinating opportunities for her fellow student-athletes - Joana brings comfort and security, a smile and a kind word, giving back and making a difference in the lives of those around her.
Sierra Land, Beach Volleyball
Sierra Land, beach volleyball, brings joy and laughter wherever she goes. Her zest for life is truly contagious, bringing smiles to the faces she is working alongside. But it's not just her vibrant spirit that sets her apart; it's her unwavering dedication to serving others with genuine excitement. Whether she's planting trees, picking up trash, reading to kids or simply baking you a treat, she approaches every opportunity to give back with an unparalleled enthusiasm that is truly inspiring. She has no plans to stop - as a future nurse and part time coach, she is making plans to build up the next generation of community driven athletes.
Tyson Degenhart, Men’s Basketball
Tyson Degenhart, men’s basketball, is a leader who takes the path less traveled - volunteering his time and talent to leave a positive mark on the Boise community, no matter who is watching. He leads by example in all facets of his life. Off the court, he serves his fellow student-athletes as a representative for Men’s Basketball on SAAC. He puts the needs of others above his own, does his best to include everyone and represents the Athletic department and Boise State with humility.
Caden Moortgat, Men's Tennis
Caden Moortgat is an outstanding student-athlete on the court and off. He inspires with his leadership and passion - dedicating his time, talent and energy to creating a shared vision for the student-athlete experience and putting in the extra work and effort to make it a reality. A member of SAAC and the SAAC Executive team, Caden serves his community as an advocate for the student-athlete voice at the University and Conference levels.
The Year in Review continues tomorrow to celebrate the progress made in the department's What's Next Initiative.
