ALISO VIEJO, Calif. - Nadine Juarez needed only one season at Cal State San Bernardino to demonstrate that impact is measured by far more than what happens between the lines.
 
The freshman infielder spent her first year as a Coyote serving children and families throughout her community while pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice and beginning her collegiate softball career. For her leadership, resilience and commitment to others, Juarez has been selected as the 2025-26 CCAA Impact Award recipient.
 
Created in 2015-16, the Impact Award recognizes one CCAA student-athlete who exemplifies leadership through participation in community service and engagement activities while maintaining a dedication to academics and athletics. The recipient is selected by the conference's Student-Athlete Advisory Committees (SAAC).
 
"At CSUSB Athletics, one of our core values is to strive for greatness in four key areas including making an impact within our community," said CSUSB Director of Athletics Shareef Amer. "As a San Bernardino native, Nadine has a particular affinity towards our community and has made an immediate impact at CSUSB and in the city we're proud to represent. I look forward to seeing what great things Nadine has in store for the future."
 
Juarez's service has been both consistent and personal. At St. Bernardine Medical Center's Family Focus Center, she mentored children attending summer camps, helped provide Thanksgiving meals and take-home bags to families, and assisted with flu vaccination efforts. She later worked alongside the California Highway Patrol to inspect and install child safety seats and distribute diapers to families in need.
 
As a member of the Cal State San Bernardino softball program, Juarez also participated in a Christmas toy drive benefiting children at Loma Linda Hospital. The Coyotes collectively donated more than 40 toys through the initiative.
 
Her commitment to serving others reflects the same mentality she brings to every area of her life. Juarez has used challenges in her upbringing as motivation, developing what her nominators described as a "no-excuse" approach to pursuing her goals and leading by example. That determination has also shaped her career aspirations. Juarez plans to become a police officer or work for the California Highway Patrol after completing her criminal justice degree.
 
The San Bernardino native also made an immediate contribution on the field. Juarez appeared in 16 games and made nine starts during her freshman season. Before joining the Coyotes, the Cajon High School graduate was a two-time second-team All-CIF selection.
 
Juarez is the first Cal State San Bernardino student-athlete to receive the CCAA Impact Award. She is also the first ever freshman to receive the award.
 
To be considered for the CCAA Impact Award, candidates must be current student-athletes in good academic and athletic standing who used a season of competition during the year of nomination. They must also participate in community service and engagement activities with their teams and independently while demonstrating actions that exemplify leadership.