Santa Fe Christian athlete starring in SDSU baseball
After launching his eighth home run of the year April 14 for the streaking San Diego State Aztecs, sophomore third baseman Chad Corona reflected on the joy he derives from being part of the team and the path he took to get there.
“People told me that by going to a small school like Santa Fe Christian that I wouldn’t get any exposure, but my brother and sister went there before I did and I had been going there since I was in kindergarten,” Corona recalled. “My junior year came around and I had the chance to go to La Costa Canyon High, which is right across the street from my house.” With its reputation for academic excellence and athletic teams that are consistently ranked among the county’s best, La Costa Canyon would have undoubtedly provided Corona the exposure he was looking for.
“I sat and I prayed about it with my parents and my pastor,” Corona said. “What it came down to was putting Jesus in front of what I wanted to do. (Through prayer) I realized that Jesus had always been good to me, so why change now?”
Corona elected to stay at the small North County school. It’s a decision he has never regretted. “When my senior year came around, He blessed me big time.” Corona went on to become the school’s Male Athlete of the Year as well as an All-CIF and All-State baseball selection. A year later he was enjoying a scholarship to play for San Diego State.
Corona’s power hitting and glove at third base are two of the reasons that April found the conference leading Aztecs enjoying their longest winning streak since the 1997 season. The addition of Padres’ legend Tony Gwynn as the team’s batting coach has provided an added dimension that Corona never anticipated when he signed his letter of intent.
“I began watching Tony Gwynn when I was about six or seven and he was always my favorite baseball player,” said Corona. “When I heard he was coming here, I was amazed.” Gwynn, with his ever-present camcorder, videotapes the players and then analyzes their swings. “On our off days, we watch our tapes to see what we are doing wrong. Videotape can be humbling, but it helps because you can see exactly what you are doing wrong.” Corona is thrilled to be learning first hand from one of the greatest hitters of all-time. “With coach Gwynn, there are no dumb questions. He tells us to ask him anything we want and he tells us straight up.”
Gwynn’s presence is not the only reason Corona loves playing for San Diego State. He enjoys the camaraderie, especially with the half dozen or so like-minded players who share Corona’s love for the Lord.
“Being on a secular campus can be pretty difficult (for someone who received his entire education from a small Christian school). “Fortunately, there are about five or six players here who are involved in Athletes in Action. When you have friends like that, you always have somebody to make you accountable and to back you up. We have a Bible study twice a week along with the Athletes in Action meetings. It helps me to focus on what is really important in my life.”
As a member of the team, Corona is frequently required to help conduct baseball clinics involving youth players from around the county. It’s a job the highly personable Corona enjoys.
“We’ve had some kids from Santa Fe Christian come down to watch our games. When they ask me what it takes to get here, I just tell them to always do their best. I remind them that first of all they have to make God number one. I tell them that before they make any decision they should ask Him first.”