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In 2010, the Jags ranked No.1 in academics state wide, with a 3.02 GPA team average, according to the San Jose City College JagSports website, as ranked by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association. The Jags also ranked No.1 in 2009 and 2007, No.2 in 2008 and 2006 for California.
Studying and training are a full-time job for every player on the team, aside from class time.
“We pretty much (just) come to school, we’re here all day. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. sometimes,” Jaguar Vanessa Silva, 20, social sciences major said. The women keep this schedule five days a week, “except for when we have tournaments, then we’re here more.”
Poor grades are not met with leniency by the team. After the four hours of daily training and practice, each team member is required to spend an additional three hours for studying on campus “if you have 3.0 or higher, if you have lower than that you have six hours,” Silva said. Silva said her current GPA is 3.7.
While some might find such a hectic schedule taxing, Jaguar Molly Vivo, 19, said that having such a schedule helps them succeed, “Team over self.”
“It’s a privilege to be on the team,” and Jaguar Theresa Torres, 19, social sciences major said, “We take it to heart, we work hard nonstop.”
“I didn’t know they were ranked so high,” Mama-Jaguar Bertha Torres, Theresa’s mother said. “I am so proud she is here, playing with such a hardworking, competitive and motivated team.”
