JT Minami Memorial Scholarship

JARET "JT" MINAMI MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

Who is JT Minami?

A 2006 Cal State Dominguez Hills graduate and Toros men's soccer player from 2002-05, Jaret "JT" Minami passed away on August 3, 2008, at Torrance Memorial Hospital at the age of 25 after suffering from a sudden neurological disorder. A standout player for the Toros, Minami made 47 starts in 61 games played in his career, capping a four-year stint with First Team National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-Region and Second Team All-California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) honors during his senior season. Minami, the backbone of CSUDH's defensive unit in that memorable campaign, helped lead the Toros to the NCAA Division II West Region title and the NCAA Division II Quarterfinals, eventually falling to host and eventual National Champion Fort Lewis College.

Born on January 31, 1983, the 5'9” Torrance native and West Torrance HS alum enjoyed career bests 18 starts and 20 games played as a senior and compiled six assists in his four years on the field, but will be most remembered for his intensity and hard-nosed approach to the game he loved to play.

Off the field, the Business Administration major was very involved in the Honors Program during his four years, culminating with winning the CSUDH Dr. Hal Charnofsky Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award he received in 2006 before working at Lexus in Torrance at the time of his passing.

“JT was definitely the most quietly competitive person I have ever met or coached,” begins Flanagan, who played on the same team with Minami competitively after Jaret finished his college playing career. “He had a confident smile that brought confidence to the coaching staff because we knew he was ready for any battle that came his way.

“Players like him are why you coach,” continued Flanagan, whose team wore JT's number 3 on their sleeve in 2008 in Minami's honor. “I've known him as a student and as a teammate, and he was extremely well-liked by his peers and teammates. He enjoyed the game, enjoyed life and always had that smile on his face. He's probably the nicest kid I've ever coached, and I'll always remember that smile. He will be missed.”

The former midfielder for Toros founded the Torchbearers, a service club within the CSUDH Honors Program that offered academic tutoring to student-athletes by their peers.

The Dominguez Hills community honors Jaret Minami (Class of ’06, B.A., Business Administration)

Criteria for the Scholarship

1.    Family Oriented
2.    Athletic - Someone who is coachable, a team player, reliable and unselfish with a passion for soccer and plays with high intensity
3.    Academic Excellence with at minimum a 3.0 GPA
4.    Character - Possesses strong moral and ethical convictions and is loyal to family, friends and the team
5.    Personality - Charismatic, thoughtful, courteous, caring and humble with an intense drive to succeed and excel
6.    School and Community Service - Volunteers time to those in need
7.    Looking Beyond Differences - Treat all people equally, regardless of age, size, ethnicity, social status, religious beliefs, orientation

Scholarship Recipients

2009	Scott Mariano	Paige Peel
2010	Jordan Hatanaka	Paige Peel
2011	Jordan Hatanaka	Paige Peel
2012	Jordan Hatanaka	Lindsey Armstrong
2013	Jordan Hatanaka	Lindsey Armstrong
2014	Chase Gentry
2015	Chase Gentry
2016	Chase Gentry
2017	Chase Gentry

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