Success at Coalinga College extended far beyond the playing field during the 2025-2026 academic year.
Student-athletes excelled in competition, achieved in the classroom, and built the skills needed to succeed long after graduation. A key part of that experience was residence life.
Coalinga College remains one of only 13 California community colleges with on-campus housing. During the 2025-2026 academic year, 123 student-athletes lived in the residence halls, creating a unique college experience centered on academics, athletics, and community.
For baseball player Jaydian Chavira, living on campus helped create the structure needed to balance school, athletics, and personal growth.
"Living on campus definitely made it easier to balance school and baseball," he said.
The experience taught him independence and responsibility while helping him develop leadership skills as a resident assistant.
"Living in the residence halls taught me independence," he said.
For softball player Niliah Gruver, the residence halls helped transform a new college experience into a second home.
"There was a really big family out here when I first came," Gruver said.
Living alongside teammates created friendships and support systems that extended beyond athletics.
"You get really close with a lot of the girls," she said. "That's kind of how we formed a really strong bond very quickly."
The sense of community extends throughout campus. Student-athletes have access to tutoring, counseling, faculty office hours, study spaces, and academic support services that help them balance demanding schedules.
That support contributed to strong academic performance. During the academic year, Coalinga College student-athletes earned an average GPA of 3.2 while preparing for transfer and career opportunities.
The college's commitment to student success also earned statewide recognition. In 2025, Coalinga College was named a Pathway Champion by the Campaign for College Opportunity for the fourth consecutive year. The award recognized the college's efforts to expand transfer opportunities, strengthen student support services, and help students complete their educational goals.
Athletically, Falcon teams continued to excel. Football qualified for its third bowl game in four seasons and earned 14 All-Golden Coast League honors, while volleyball advanced to the second round of the Northern California Regional Playoffs and earned eight postseason conference honors. Strong performances continued across baseball, softball, basketball, and rodeo.
Yet the most meaningful victories often happened away from competition.
"The teachers make it seem like you're more than just a number," Groover said. "They really value everything about you."
Those relationships help define the Coalinga College experience. Faculty, coaches, residence hall staff, and counselors work together to support students both academically and personally.
The college's approach focuses on developing the whole student through competence, confidence, connection, and character. Those values help student-athletes grow as competitors, scholars, leaders, and future professionals.
As Coalinga College prepared to launch women's basketball and continued expanding opportunities for student-athletes, the message remained clear.
For the 123 student-athletes who called the residence halls home during the 2025-2026 academic year, Coalinga College provided more than a place to live. It provided a place to belong, grow, and build a better tomorrow.
See Jayden Chavira in our new Coalinga College commercials here:
See Niliah Gruver in our new Coalinga College commercials here: