SAN MARCOS — Palomar College offers a combined 17 sports for men and women, averaging 400 student-athletes per year.
For student-athletes here at Palomar, transferring to a four year university means balancing academics, athletics and uncertainty about recruitment.
Whether they hope to stay local or go out state, these athletes must meet academic requirements while staying prepared for opportunities that come in their final season. The transfer process is not just about choosing a school but securing their education and future in sports.
To view full interviews between the student-athletes and Telescope staff writer Patricia Fernandez, check out The Telescope Instagram post here.
Ceddrick Chanchico is a setter on the men’s volleyball team. “Currently I play volleyball. For Palomar this is my first year actually, but in total I have been playing for about five or six years,” Chanchico said.
Chanchico hopes to transfer to either San Diego State University (SDSU) or Cal State San Marcos University (CSUSM) to pursue a degree in business administration.
Playing alongside Chanchico on the men’s volleyball team, Sebastian Gomez and Josh Garland have their minds set on where they plan to transfer.
Gomez said he shows interest in transferring to SDSU or CSUSM to pursue a degree in history for teaching.
Garland said this is his second year playing volleyball at Palomar and hopes to transfer to California State University, Long Beach to pursue his academics, or transfer to Hope International University to play volleyball.
Palomar basketball player Isaiah Pomare said he has been playing basketball for 10 years now, the last two were as a Comet. In his time at Palomar College, Pomare scored 405 points and had 222 rebounds.
Pomare said he is unsure of which university he will transfer to, but is sure he will stay in Southern California and continue to play basketball wherever he transfers to.
In an interview, The Telescope was able to get a female’s perspective on what it’s like playing basketball as a student here at Palomar.
Comet guard ReeRee Davis said she has been playing basketball since the age of 5 and hopes to transfer to a four-year university.
According to Davis, male and female student-athletes have a similar experience on and off the court.
“It depends on what it is but, I think we definitely have a lot of support,” Davis said.
Davis is undecided on where she will transfer to, but hopes to stay in California.
Student Athletic Counselor Melissa Allen explained the transfer process for a student-athlete transferring to a four-year university.
“Student-athletes must keep their options open since they do not know where they will get recruited to, until late into their second season or after,” Allen said.
Allen also explained that most student-athletes must complete their associate degree in four semesters or less, pass at least 48 transferrable units, and maintain a GPA above 3.0.
Palomar’s student-athletes are focused on more than just their final games, they are preparing for the next chapter of their academic and athletic careers. Whether they transfer to continue competing at the next level or focus solely on their education, each athlete shares the same goal of building a future after Palomar.