In Their Own Words: Derek Fordham

My time with the swim and dive team has been absolutely surreal – like the other athletes, I’m extremely sad to see their season end so abruptly. I have never been so honored and proud to be among all of the hardworking divers and swimmers that were a part of our program this year. Their determination and grit towards accomplishing their goal of winning the Division II championship has inspired me to put forward the same effort both in an out of the pool this year.

 As someone who came into college shy, doubtful and hesitant, my teammates and the friends I have made in athletics have helped me overcome those fears and grow into a better athlete, student, and budding adult. It’s impossible to put into words how much all of my teammates and friends, present and past, have impacted me during my time here. But, what I can say is that I wouldn’t have had my undergrad experience any other way – the culture of both our team and athletics as a whole was one that was loving, supportive, and took me in with open arms.

For all of you who are continuing their athletic career at UC San Diego, I will leave you with one piece of advice: stay humble and enjoy it while it lasts – time flies when you’re having fun. Thank you for the countless memories and liberating college experience.

Derek Fordham is a four-year member of the swimming and diving team. The Cypress native is studying International Business at UC San Diego and also serves on the TAC Executive Board as the Social Committee Chair. After graduation, Fordham plans to work in commercial real estate. Fordham also plans to study for the LSAT to go to law school and pursue a future career in real estate law.

"In Their Own Words" is an on-going series highlighting UC San Diego senior scholar-athletes. Check back at UCSDtritons.com for future features.

About UC San Diego Athletics
With 30 national team championships, nearly 150 individual titles and the top student-athlete graduation rate among Division II institutions in the United States, the UC San Diego intercollegiate athletics program annually ranks as one of the most successful in the country.  The Tritons sponsor 23 intercollegiate sport programs that compete on the NCAA Division I and II levels and, in summer 2020, will transition into full Division I status as a member of the Big West Conference.  UC San Diego student-athletes exemplify the academic ideals of one of the world's preeminent institutions, graduating at an average rate of 91 percent.  A total of 82 Tritons have earned Academic All-America honors, while 37 have earned prestigious NCAA Post Graduate Scholarships.  In competition, more than 1,300 UC San Diego student-athletes have earned All-America honors.

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