The sunny morning of May 27, 2011 featured a seemingly normal graduation ceremony for Academy of Art University. Usual cheers from students and spectators led everyone to believe that this commencement was no different from any others previously. But little did everyone know; history was being made that day as one particular student crossed the stage to accept her diploma.
Three years ago, Sondra Stilwell had no idea she would be the one making that history. And as she crossed the stage on graduation day, that was the furthest thing from her mind. The modest basketball star had just earned her degree in Multimedia Communications after years of hard work. But as she walked across the stage and took the diploma into her hand, she became the first ever recruited student-athlete to graduate from the Academy of Art University.
“It's really exciting to be the first one to graduate,” exclaimed Sondra with a huge smile on her face. “It's unbelievable; I didn't realize it at first. It really makes me proud. Being an athlete; you are competitive, and that carries over to what I do. I hope I made people proud by being successful on and off the court. In return, the city, the school, and basketball have created a positive light for me.”
Sondra became a part of the first ever women's basketball team back in 2008 when she was recruited by both Director of Athletics Dr. Jamie Williams, and then Head Coach Lindsey Yamasaki. Stilwell remembers the two coming to watch her play at a showcase that featured All-Conference members from Junior Colleges across the state. After playing in the showcase with hundreds of other girls, Sondra recalls Dr. Williams coming up to her after the game and telling her to, “Come check out the school.” After touring the campus, and seeing the incredible student work in the spring show, it did not take much more to convince Sondra.
“It was different than what I was originally thinking,” commented Stilwell. “It was different because it was an art school in San Francisco. Dr. Williams sold it very well being enthusiastic and excited about his program. I came for my visit and it was amazing. I got to play with the team, and it was a really positive atmosphere with positive people around me. Being from a small town, San Francisco was exciting and different and fun.”
Although it was an instant sell for the young Stilwell, it was still a huge decision for her to decide whether to attend or not. She loved the academics and what the school offered, as well as the athletic program and basketball team. But it is a major life decision that she could not take lightly. “Making the actual call [to attend school at ART U] was a little scary, it is a big decision in your life,” said Stilwell. “But it's been the biggest opportunity of my life thus far. I wasn't scared about a start up program, it just felt like the best choice and fit for me. It was brand new, and I would get to make history; make the first basket, etc.”
Right away Sondra was a perfect fit at the Academy of Art University. Not only did she excel on the court, but she also excelled in the classroom. All of her nervousness about not being good enough artistically quickly vanished as she saw her school work immediately improve and stand out. Of course being in a brand new start up program didn't come without challenges. One of the biggest difficulties for Sondra was dealing with all of the little obstacles that come with being a part of a new program.
“There were lots of little obstacles that you learn to take in stride, and as a team you became closer because of those obstacles. Like when you are training in basketball and feel like you are about to die, but then you hear the footsteps of your teammates behind you, and that keeps you going. They are out there with you going through what you are going through. Although our wins were not as high as our goal, we were always respected as a hard working team [by opponents]. The concept of art and sports isn't easily accepted by others, and so was challenging that misconception that artists can't be athletes. But once we got on the court, there was no difference, and we never viewed ourselves differently,” said Stilwell.
Sondra saw great success throughout her time on the basketball court. She played and started in all 53 games for her team throughout her two years there. She averaged 34.5 minutes per game, and shot a career average .774 from the free throw line. Sondra also had an impressive career total of 233 assists, 150 steals, and averaged 12.9 points per game. Her senior year she was named to the 2009-10 All-PacWest Team Honorable Mention.
Through hard work and extreme dedication, Sondra also succeeded in the classroom. She was named to the 2009-10 PacWest Academic All-Conference Team, and received the 2009-10 ADA Academic Achievement Award. After three years of school at the Academy of Art University, Sondra maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.854. With grades at the top of her class, she is on track to graduate cum laude at the end of summer.
“I think that time management is a huge key to success,” added Stilwell. “And also communicating with instructors is a big point. You develop a relationship with them and they will understand your schedule and realize that you are working hard to do well in the classroom and outside the classroom. I don't consider myself that brainy student who just always knows the answer. I consider myself a hard worker and that's how I've gotten so far. My work ethic has carried me both on the court and in the classroom, and doing the extra things both in basketball and the classroom. The world of athletics translates directly to the world of academics. The work world and athletics directly translate.”
When Stilwell's eligibility was up after the 2009-10 basketball season, she still had some work ahead of her in the classroom to earn her degree. Sondra, however, was not ready to let go of basketball that easily. Even though she could no longer play, she helped the team by being a coach during the 2010-11 season. By helping the coaching staff, she was able to share her knowledge and passion for basketball with the new players, and her former teammates. After the completion of her third year at ART U, the Shasta College transfer had completed enough units to graduate and walk in the spring 2011 commencement ceremony. Although she walked at graduation, Sondra still has three classes to complete over the summer to earn the necessary units for her degree.
“Overall, my most memorable experiences were living in San Francisco and playing at the Academy. I would go home and think: 'I live in San Francisco. I travel to Hawaii, Utah, and other places. I have amazing teammates, an amazing coach, and a school you wouldn't believe',” said Stilwell. “Another amazing experience was our first win against Dominican. It was so close; it came down to them having the last shot, and they missed. It was the first win ever for us. It was our ultimate goal; we had worked so hard for it.”
After the completion of college for Sondra, she is unsure of what the future holds. “I want to continue with basketball. I want to find something that I can pair my knowledge with. I have done this for so long and have such a passion for it. But I really just want to be happy with my future in whatever I do,” said the still smiling Stilwell.
After paving the way for the Academy of Art University basketball team and all student-athletes at the school, Sondra has set some high expectations for those who follow in her footsteps. She has overcome some of the most difficult challenges with being a member of a start-up program and pioneering the first wave of student-athletes to graduate from a state of the art university. With her experience and success at ART U, Sondra leaves this advice for current and incoming student-athletes: “This is a chance of a lifetime!! This is the biggest opportunity of your life. You made the decision to come here, now go for it, and dive in. Give it your all and you'll be rewarded to the fullest. What I'm learning about life is that education is not just about the degree, but how you got the degree and the journey you took to get there. Use practical knowledge, and take advantage of the people around you who are here to help you.”
Those who know Sondra know that she has worked extremely hard to be successful. She put in extra time both on the court and in the classroom to be an all around standout student-athlete. But they know that she will not stop there. She always strives to do the best that she can do, and excel in any situation. This will not be the last time that you hear about Sondra Stilwell.
As her time at the Academy comes to an end with the conclusion of summer school, Stilwell takes one last chance to reflect on the impact that her life changing decision has made on her. “This was a huge opportunity. I am so happy that I took and embraced it, and also succeeded and excelled in it. I'm really proud of that fact. I couldn't be more thankful to the people in my life, Jamie [Williams] and Lindsey [Yamasaki], that got me here, started me off, and guided me. And I will always treasure the traditional college memories; like never forgetting a teammate and all the memories you've created.”
