SANFORD, Florida - Following another successful year in the classroom and competitively, Seminole State Athletics continued with a busy and eventful summer. The Raiders' recorded a 3.20 GPA for the year; 49 Student-Athletes earned "Academic All-FCSAA" (3.3 & higher) with 22 Student-Athletes achieving "Academic All-American" (3.6 & higher) status.
Building on the academic success, three former Raiders made the news with career updates. Alex Giles (Women's Golf), Digna Abello (Softball) and James Jean (Baseball) all had big "next steps in life."
Alex Giles was named Assistant Coach Women's Golf Coach at the University of Cincinnati. Giles joins the staff lead by Head Coach, Aimee Ponte who coached her at Incarnate Word. Giles was a two time NJCAA National Champion and two time All-American while playing for the Raiders. (https://gobearcats.com/news/2024/7/23/alex-giles-joins-womens-golf-staff.aspx).
Digna Abello became the first female Fire Chief in the history of Miami Beach. A two-year starting catcher for the Raiders, Abello was a natural leader with an excellent penchant for hard work. Â Press Release is linked above.
Finally, James Jean, a baseball stand-out who once had a sandwich named after him in the Campus Café, is now a "Major League"Â umpire. Jean was recently called up to the big leagues and worked the June series between the Astros and the Mets. (https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/sports/mlb/2024/06/29/palm-beach-gardens-baseball-star-makes-mlb-debut-as-umpire-for-astros-mets-series/74249934007/)
Seminole State Athletics also received the two of the largest gifts in their history. An anonymous donor has paid for new sod and outfield fencing at Jack Pantelias Field (aka "The Jack"). In addition, the donor gave funding for two additional apartments earmarked for baseball student-athletes. Altogether, the gift exceeded $100,000 in cash and trade.
The Women's Golf Program received a jaw-dropping $400,000 gift from Sally and Tom Moore. The gift will ensure that the program continues to operate as a national power for years to come. Housing, equipment/technology updates and enhanced scheduling are just a few of the items the donation will help fund. Coach Christa Teno stated, "Sally (and Tom) has been such a wonderful friend of mine and the program for many years. This gift will leave a legacy. Thank you, Sally!"
"It is summers like this one that every Athletic Director dreams about," noted Kurt Esser, Seminole State Athletic Director. "We love it when our Alums are noticed for doing great things and we are so appreciative of all the community support. Raider Athletics will continue to excel with the help of our community and alums."
To donate to the Athletics Program or any individual team follow:Â https://seminolestate.app.neoncrm.com/forms/athleticsÂ
RAIDER NOTES:
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Retired Softball Coach Courtney Miller finished her career on May 9, 2024 with a record of 1238 – 681 (4 ties) Â
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The 2021 Baseball Team qualified for the NJCAA Region 8 Championships
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The Raider Women's Golf Team has won National Championships in 2023, 2022, 2021, 2019 and 2015
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The Women's Cross Country Team finished 20th in the NJCAA in 2023
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The Men's Cross Country Team finished 26th in the NJCAA in 2022
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22 Raider Student-Athletes were named Academic All American for 2023-24Â
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Raider Athletics has generated over $1,000,000 in economic impact to Seminole County since 2017
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For sponsorship information, please email Kurt Esser, esserk@seminolestate.edu
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To donate to the Athletics Program follow: https://seminolestate.app.neoncrm.com/forms/athletics
About the Seminole State Raiders:
The Raider Athletics Department of Seminole State College lives by the Mission of "preparing Raiders for their Next Steps in Life." "Next steps" can include moving on with an athletic scholarship to a four-year university, an AA or AS degree or preparing to finish a bachelors' degree at Seminole State.
The Raiders were established in 1965 and initially led by Athletic Director and Head Basketball Coach Joe Sterling. Seminole State sponsors five sports all competing in the NJCAA Division I. Both Baseball and Softball facilities are located on College Drive on the Sanford/Lake Mary Campus.
For more about Raider Athletics, visit SeminoleStateRaiders.com, follow us on Twitter: @buildingRaiders and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/buildingRaiders/.  Fans can follow the Raider Women's Golf team on facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SeminoleStateWomensGolf/).
Media contact:Â Kurt Esser, Director of Athletics, 407.708.2092, esserk@seminolestate.edu
