CARSON -- As 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of our first intercollegiate athletic team at Cal State Dominguez Hills, we will be highlighting CSUDH student-athlete alumni who made significant contributions to their teams during their time in Cardinal and Gold.
These spotlights will showcase the impact that a Cal State Dominguez Hills student-athlete had while competing, as well as the impact he or she currently is making as a professional.
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Our inaugural spotlight shines on former softball 2-time All-American Cindy Perry Brown, who once held or shared 17 CSUDH records on the softball diamond and was a terror for all opposing pitchers, catchers and infielders in her four years. Perry Brown played a key role in her teams making history by winning the program's first NCAA Regional postseason game (2004), hosting the NCAA regional (2005), and coming within a series of reaching the NCAA Softball Championships (2006).
What have you been up to since setting the bar athletically at CSUDH with your All-America, records set and other awards?
Since my time at CSUDH, I have married, had two children, completed Graduate School with a Masters Degree and a Teaching Credential, moved and lived in Hawai'i (thanks to my husband's military career), moved back to California, retained a teaching job, and coached softball while also being a dedicated football and cheer mom.
How did winning those awards and being recognized as one of the top women's softball players in the nation help you in your current career?
I believe the camaraderie developed with my teammates who helped me win those awards has taught me the valuable lesson of team work. I also firmly believe in hard work to achieve any goal.
What is your fondest memory as a S/A at CSUDH?
I have a couple. The first was my freshman year in the CCAA tournament, playing against Humboldt State and being intentionally walked twice. The second was winning the CCAA my junior year and hosting the NCAA regional for the first time in school history. We had an amazing group of women that year who had a fire in their veins that was just contagious.
If you had a chance to change one thing in your athletic career, what would it be?
My senior year, we would have beaten Bakersfield in that Regional Championship game and gone on to the World Series.
Aside from athletics, what about CSUDH do you cherish the most?
The professors. I had some amazing professors who truly loved what they did. At a small school, these educators were passionate and knowledgeable, and they prepared me to be who I am today.
Can you offer any words of wisdom for our current student-athletes?
Always play for your teammates and they will play for you. There's no room for individuals on a team.
What does "Once a Toro, Always a Toro" mean to you?
It means there is an extended family that you will always be a part of. It means you are a member of something that so few will ever be able to claim.
When was the last time you were on campus, and when do you plan on visiting us again?
I was on campus a year ago. My daughter had a cheerleading event not far away so I stopped and showed her and my son around a bit. I definitely plan to come back this softball season.
Anything else you'd like to add?
I want to thank CSUDH and Coach Jim for taking me in, developing me as a person and as a student-athlete, and allowing me to flourish into the person I was meant to be. This school will forever hold a piece of my heart. ❤️
