Feb. 17, 2010

BERKELEY - Going away to college for California softball freshman Jordan Wallace entailed a 40-minute car ride down the freeway. A product of Fairfield, Wallace was a multiple all-league performer and was selected as the MVP of the Monticello Empire League in 2007. She was also co-MVP in 2006. Wallace earned all-state honors twice, including a first-team nod for the 2008 season when she hit a league-leading .461 with six home runs, 23 RBIs and 36 runs scored after batting .477 and hitting nine homers as a sophomore. She was a member of the Sorcerer's 18 Gold (ASA), and helped her team to a 13th-place finish at the 2008 Nationals. Wallace also earned several accolades in volleyball, including all-league honors for the Fairfield Falcons. Her father, Melvin, is a former player with the San Diego Chargers.CalBears.com caught up with Wallace to learn about her first months in college, life off the diamond and more.

CalBears.com: What has been the hardest, most surprising aspect about the transition from high school to college?
Jordan Wallace: Coming into my own as a young adult and realizing the challenges of being a student-athlete.

CalBears.com: What has been you favorite thing about college so far?
JW: It's a tie between socializing and the half-baked ice cream bars in the Golden Bear Cafe.

CalBears.com: How did you start softball?
JW: Well, reality hit me when I was around nine and told me that I didn't have the voice to sing or the looks to model, so it was either sports or band. Since I am not musically inclined I chose sports and softball just found me.

CalBears.com: What are your hobbies outside of softball?
JW: Singing like Beyonce, shopping like Paris and sleeping like Beauty.

CalBears.com: What was your first impression of Berkeley?
JW: It's unique! I mean where else can you find tree sitters, karaoke spots, Yogurtland, Halloween everyday and a plethora of people in one place? Only in Berkeley.

CalBears.com: What advice would you give to incoming freshman student athletes?
JW: Buy your own refrigerator, lots of hand sanitizer, beware of all the squirrels and learn to love Berkeley time because you walk everywhere.