SEASIDE, Calif. — When Jada Hardwick first set foot on the Cal State Monterey Bay campus, she knew she had found something special. The warm welcome from her teammates and coaches made an immediate impression, and the close-knit culture she felt that day has defined her entire experience as a student-athlete.
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"I felt immediately welcomed with the girls on the team and my coaches," Hardwick said. "It seemed like the team was tight-knit with each other like a family, encouraging and competitive reaching for the same goals."
Hardwick's decision to join the Otters was about more than athletics — it was about belonging. The camaraderie she experienced during her campus visit convinced her that CSUMB was the right place to learn, compete, and grow.
"Being here, I just feel like I'm surrounded by people who want to see each other succeed," she said. "That makes it easy to push myself every day."
That sense of unity translated into success on the field. Hardwick and her teammates made program history by reaching the semifinals of the CCAA tournament, an achievement that stands out as a defining moment in her collegiate career. The team's efforts were also recognized with the 'Team of the Year' award for the 2024-25 season.
"Making history by making it to the semifinals of the CCAA tournament and being chosen the Otter Athletics Team of the Year Award has been the best part," she said.
With one season left to play, Hardwick has set her sights on earning the CCAA Defender of the Year honor. It's a personal goal that feels within reach, especially as she prepares to close her collegiate career on a high note.
"I feel like I can reach that as it's my last year playing," Hardwick said. "I just want to make it memorable and give it my all as I have dedicated my whole life to this sport."
The challenges of college life haven't been limited to the field. In the classroom, Hardwick has embraced the demands of being a student-athlete and discovered a passion for learning that matches her drive in competition.
"It has been a challenge, but I love it!" she said. "Being an athlete in college has really shown me how to be disciplined, and you have to give your all in school as well."
Hardwick enjoys connecting with fellow students and faculty, finding inspiration in the relationships she's built across campus. That same discipline and curiosity are guiding her toward an ambitious career path after graduation.
After she walks across the stage at CSUMB, Hardwick hopes to continue helping others by becoming a physician assistant, with interests in family medicine or endocrinology. "I really hope to become a physician assistant in either family medicine or endocrinology," she said.
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Whether she's locking down attackers on the field or preparing for a future in healthcare, Hardwick's story is one of commitment, community, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
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GO OTTERS!
