Summer Bales of the University of California San Diego women’s soccer team has been recognized as an NCAA Woman of the Year Top 30 honoree. Bales, who is UC San Diego’s first Top 30 selection since Anne Wethe in 2011, was recognized for her outstanding success on the pitch, in the classroom, in the community, and as a leader.

A 2019 graduate, Bales is currently pursuing her master’s degree at the UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy. She reflected on the undergraduate journey that earned her a Top 30 nod.

TRAVEL BAN: A WAKE-UP CALL

Bales, whose mother is from Sudan and father is from the Midwest, earned a degree in international studies –political science along with an international migration studies minor. The discipline reflects Bales’ passion and was largely inspired by an experience that hit close to home.

“My international migration studies minor came after my junior year. It was right after the Muslim ban had happened,” Bales explained. “We were all at the airports protesting and it was the first time an immigration policy had affected me personally. 

“I realized I was entering this conversation without being informed about it, so I needed to do more research. I needed to get involved. After everything was happening… that was my wake-up call.”

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Bales stayed true to her desire to get involved, volunteering with the International Rescue Committee, a humanitarian aid organization.

“I started as a volunteer at the front desk, answering questions about immigration processes,” Bales recalled. “Our office was mostly family based, so we got a lot of questions about bringing a family member over, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) renewals, and citizenship. 

“After my senior year, I became an intern and I was helping people process their citizenship applications and DACA renewals, so that was really fun.”

A BALANCING ACT

While excelling in her classes and volunteering for the International Rescue Committee, Bales also balanced her successful Triton soccer career. She helped the team to back-to-back West Region crowns and four California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Tournament titles, and also served as a team captain as a senior. Bales credits those around her for making it all possible.

“I think it took a big network of support, with my teammates, my coaches, my advisors, and my professors,” Bales said. “I talked with them about what my priorities were and what I wanted to do. They were so helpful in helping me balance everything. Being a part of our team where everyone is doing something outside of [soccer], together we really motivated each other to step it up on and off the field.”

TOP 30 BANQUET

Bales and the 29 other Woman of the Year honorees will be recognized at a banquet in Indianapolis from Oct. 19-20.

“I don’t think I’ve entirely processed it yet,” Bales said about being selected as one of the Woman of the Year Top 30 recipients. “I’m really excited to go to Indianapolis to meet everyone else and hear their stories.”

At the banquet, the NCAA will announce the 2019 Woman of the Year. To learn more about the award, visit the NCAA Woman of the Year website here.