Sergio Romo came to Fresno City College on Jan. 30, 2014, to speak about how he went from attending four different colleges to being a now two-time World Series Champion.
Not even the rain could stop fans, who waited more than four hours in line outside the Old Administration Building Auditorium to be apart of his special appearance.
The OAB was completely filled with over 660 people altogether. Teachers, students, athletes and even children came to sit through the hour-long inspirational story of Romo’s struggles and how he overcame them.
When the interview was over, fans were able to ask questions and one even gave Romo a handmade bracelet that was made specifically for him by her son.
The MLB relieving pitcher could definitely pass as an FCC student, wearing a black zip-up hoodie with some Adidas high tops.
Fans were instantly drawn to Romo’s down-to-earth, yet confident personality as he shared his inspiring message. He took moments to pause and laugh throughout his message, occasionally drawing the entire audience to laugh with his famous, “That’s what’s up!” slogan.
Romo began his baseball career at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa and walked on to his city college baseball team, but was actually the least talented player on the team who redshirted his first year. He then transferred with a scholarship to play at Arizona Western University, where he started to notice he was a slightly different color than everyone else at the school.
“Being a man of color who started at a city college, it got tough,” said Romo.
As a junior he transferred to the University of North Alabama. With his ethnicity being so different from everyone else around him in Florence, Alabama, he battled getting along with the team.
“There was only one hundred of us [Hispanics] in the state of Alabama,” said Romo.
He decided to give up his scholarship and transfer yet again. He spent his senior year of college at Colorado Mesa University, and was soon after drafted to the San Francisco Giants in 2005.
“The opportunity to be someone was all I wanted,” said Romo.
Romo transferred to four different colleges and struggled being categorized as a minority, before his dream became a reality.
Romo emphasized the importance in finding self-worth in who you are as an individual.
“If you don’t believe in yourself, there’s not going to be many people who do,” said Romo.
Even though Romo has become a major-league baseball player, the hard work and self-discipline has never stopped.
“The hardest part is not getting to the big leagues, but staying in the big leagues,” said Romo.
No matter who your loyalty is with in the MLB, we can all admire Romo’s dedication and hard work that has lead him to where he is today. No matter where you come from or how many times you have gone done the wrong path; you have the capabilities to make something of yourself.
“With willpower and the right guidance,” said Romo, “you can do anything you want.”

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Cfxy1c6UHs&w=560&h=315]