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Craig Perez – 25 year profile

Craig Perez

Craig Perez’ original career goal was to be a science and physical education teacher. But his career goals, like those of so many others, veered into a different course—to the benefit of Sacramento State’s Aquatic Center.

Director of the Aquatic Center for a majority of his 25 years as a Sacramento State employee, Perez began working at the University as a resident advisor from 1976-79 while he was a student.

“I graduated from Sacramento State in 1977 with a teaching credential and accepted a position at Pleasant Hill High School as a physical education teacher,” Perez says. Unfortunately, with the passage of Proposition 13, the school had to rescind the position offer. Undeterred, Perez returned to the University as head resident of Sutter Hall for two years. While helping the Associated Students order sailboats—Perez and his wife Ann were actively racing sailboats— a turning point in his career occurred.

“ASI wanted to open the Aquatic Center to augment kinesiology classes at Sacramento State, and I was asked to help establish and run the center,” Perez says. The Lake Natoma site was in its infancy, and “All I had was a portable building, a parka and portable toilets,” Perez says, laughing. “There was no phone and all the equipment was stored in portable containers.”

With Perez’ help, the Aquatic Center offered windsurfing and sailing activities and grew from there. “At one point, I was told the lake was perfect for rowing, because it was calm and long,” Perez says. Luminaries in aquatic athletic events agreed and the Aquatic Center became the annual destination for the Pacific Coast Championships, one of the most prestigious rowing events in the country.

With new buildings and expanded recreational activities, the Aquatic Center has grown into a matchless facility in the country. “Sacramento State’s Aquatic Center is considered a benchmark in Aquatic Centers,” Perez says.

Two years ago, Perez, heartened by the success of the Aquatic Center and his work with the Alumni Association, felt it was time to dedicate himself to another passion—Sacramento State athletics. He works closely with the Stinger Association (a fundraising board for the Intercollegiate Athletics program) as a stewardship officer. “I’m consistently amazed by the dedication of the staff and players in Athletics, as well as the fans,” he says. “And I love what I do.

“I’ll never forget what a little league coach told me in my younger days,” Perez says. “He told me the measure of a person is not one game; it’s your life’s work. That’s what I live by.”