"Where Are They Now" conitnues throughout February, and for the entirety of Black History Month, Cal Lutheran athletics will feature our black alumni. We start the month with Wes McCurtis. A member of the men's basketball team for two seasons, McCurtis said CLU helped prepare him for the next step of his journey. Now, McCurtis is the Athletics Director at Cypress College.
What year's where you at Cal Lutheran and what made you want to come here?
I attended CLU from 2010-14. As a first-generation college student, I wanted to attend a smaller school where I could form strong connections with faculty/staff to give myself the best opportunity to succeed. CLU's campus, location, and facilities were also a huge plus.
While at Cal Lutheran, what was your experience like?
I had an amazing college experience at CLU. I had the opportunity to continue playing basketball, get great work experience at the CLU Annual Fund, intern with companies in both Ventura and LA county, and make lifelong friends. CLU allowed me to explore opportunities, meet people from all over the world, and provided an environment where I could make mistakes, learn, and grow from them.
How was your experience with the team and other athletes?
My experience was a unique one. Although my athletic career didn't play out the way I had imagined, I enjoyed every minute of it. The guys on the team loved to compete and I looked forward to getting after it each day. At that time, I needed the extra push to stay motivated. The comradery and support I received from my teammates and coaches was unmatched.
What is your current job, and how did Cal Lutheran prepare you for that?
I am currently in my second season as Athletics Director at Cypress College in Cypress, CA. While a student athlete at CLU, I got a better understanding of how college athletic departments operate. I got to experience the support programs tied to athletics, fundraising events, go through the eligibility process, and get a feel for the staffing components of a successful NCAA athletics program. The jobs I had while a student at CLU, along with the courses I took as a business major, made it clear to me that a career in sports is something I should actively pursue.
How did being a student-athlete prepare you for your professional career?
Being a student athlete prepared me for my professional career by removing the fear of failure, teaching me strong communication and leadership skills, and instilling a competitive drive to be the best at whatever I do. In my role as an AD, being a student athlete with my career going the way it did, allows me to relate to our student athletes in a way that's genuine, realistic, and in their best interest.
What is your favorite part about the job?
I enjoy the competitive atmosphere and relationships I get to build with our student athletes, coaches, staff, and community. There is nothing more fulfilling at my job than seeing a student athlete, coach, or intern come to Cypress College with a goal in mind and helping them see that goal become a reality through mentorship, support programs, or otherwise. I enjoy it the same whether that goal is a degree, job, or transferring to compete at a four-year university.
What is a typical day at your job?
Typically, I am working with coaches on issues related to scheduling, transportation, eligibility, budget, and facilities. I also spend a lot of time coordinating with athletics staff, including athletic training, equipment, compliance, and sports information on projects they're working on and helping provide oversight at all home athletic events. It is my responsibility as the AD to set the tone for our 14 intercollegiate athletic programs and secure the resources needed to support our student athletes and staff, while contributing to the overall success of Cypress College.
Did you know you always wanted to do this, or when did you know what you wanted to do?
Out of high school, I knew I wanted to work in sports but didn't really know what opportunities in sports existed. My experiences in athletics at CLU helped shine a light on that, as well as my Business Professor, Veronica Guerrero. By the time I was a junior at CLU I knew I wanted to be an Athletic Director. I just had to find a way to get there.
What does it mean to you to be a Kingsmen?
To me, being a Kingsmen means you have a willingness to do what it takes. Kingsmen are passionate, hardworking, and approach everything with the right attitude. You can't stop a Kingsmen.
