This feature originally appeared in the 2020 Spring edition of the Cal Sports Quarterly. The Cal Athletics flagship magazine features long-form sports journalism at its finest and provides in-depth coverage of the scholar-athlete experience in Berkeley. Printed copies are mailed four times a year to Bear Backers who give annually at the Bear Club level (currently $600 or more). For more information on how you can receive a printed version of the Cal Sports Quarterly at home, send an email to CalAthleticsFund@berkeley.edu or call (510) 642-2427.




Towards the end of her freshman term, Cal softball student-athlete Jordan Fines and her roommates were hanging out in their dorm and realized they had a lot of leftover non-perishable food. They didn't want to let it go to waste, so they collected the food – nearly 100 Ziploc bags worth – and handed them out to people in need, from side streets and freeway underpasses in Oakland to People's Park.
 
The endeavor inspired Fines and her teammate Zoe Conley to begin the Pay It Forward campaign the following year. Including their friends and other Cal student-athletes, they produced enough food to feed approximately 50 people in the downtown Oakland area. They also donated other essential items, including socks, water bottles, rain ponchos and hygiene products.
 
"I distinctly remember a conversation with one of the men that we encountered under a freeway overpass that applauded us on the way that we conducted ourselves," Fines said. "It is too often that these people are exploited, and it is important to acknowledge them as human beings. We took pride in involving friends in our efforts with the understanding that they had the same respect for the people we were serving."
 
Although she was part of the process with her, Conley, who graduated in 2019 and is now a paralegal at a property management agency in Berkeley, gives all the credit to Fines for starting the Pay It Forward campaign.
 
"Getting to see so many student-athletes come together for something that was not athletic-related really was a testament to just how much the sports world can bring people together," Conley said. "Jordan's rather popular at Cal, especially among the athletic community, so having her there was great not just for buzz and marketing, but she brought so many of us together whereas we might not have ever met otherwise."
 
Reaching out to the homeless community is just one piece of a much larger story of helping others. Fines has made a tremendous impact in numerous ways during her time at Cal.
 
The native of Elk Grove also founded the first ever women's club in collegiate athletics at Cal known as Golden Girls, whose goal is to further unite all women involved in the University's athletics department, from student-athletes to coaches to administration. Golden Girls originated with the help of Conley, current softball student-athlete Cameron Kondo, Director of Student-Athlete Development Bobby Thompson and Cal Athletics Alumni Relations Coordinator Pita Toler.
 
"As soon as I heard about Golden Girls, I was ecstatic to begin the journey with her," said Toler a member of the Cal track & field team as an undergraduate. "Golden Girls is a concept that was needed decades ago, and when the opportunity was presented to me to help oversee the efforts, I wanted to make sure that Jordan and the other officers felt supported in every way possible. Jordan is a pioneer of our time, paving the way for others to follow."
 
A true ambassador for the school, Fines found herself filling the role as an advocate for the University both athletically and academically in front of large audiences. At the beginning of 2019-20 school year, Fines spoke as a panelist at the New Student-Athlete Orientation. She has attended town hall meetings with Chancellor Carol Christ, and she was one of 31 student-athletes invited to University House for a reception recognizing the launch of the Cameron Institute for Student-Athlete Development.
 
A sociology major, Fines aspires to be a leader in education. After she graduates from Cal, she will work with Teach for America in the California Capital Valley as an elementary school teacher while working towards getting her master's degree in education from Loyola Marymount.
 
An active mentor for children at elementary schools, Fines' source of inspiration to pursue a career in education came after taking a sociology of poverty class, where she learned about disparities in educational systems and institutions.
 
She was also involved in a program called Cal Pals, which links Cal student-athletes with elementary school students in efforts to provide mentorship and inspiration by exchanging letters and helping with schoolwork.
 
"I want to be a principal or an athletic director because I want to be a resource to students," Fines said. "I want to invest in younger generations and push them to be their best selves. My favorite teachers from grade school were the ones that showed me potential in myself that I didn't even know I had. I want to be an ally, resource and biggest fan for all of the children I plan to work with, and serve as a role model to young people of color everywhere."
 
Fines' desire to help any way possible has also been found on the softball field, particularly during her junior campaign in 2019 when she earned a role as a reliable utility player. That year featured some major peaks and valleys, though. While she enjoyed a breakout season, she also battled Lyme disease after being diagnosed in September of 2018.
 
"Jordan is a good example of a kid who hasn't had everything handed to her," said Diane Ninemire, who served as her head coach until retiring in March 2020. "She's had to work for everything she's earned. At the end of the day, I think Jordan is going to be very proud of all that she's accomplished during her time at Cal."
 
Despite the health issues presenting a difficult hurdle, Fines is pleased with how she has thrived academically and athletically after the diagnosis. The experience led her to appreciate the opportunity she has at Cal, and her motivation and drive wouldn't let the circumstances hold her back. It inspired her to work twice as hard in the classroom and on the field.
 
Conley said Fines' diagnosis strengthened their friendship and her bond with the team because of her resiliency and tough mentality.
 
"I was actually with Jordan for a couple doctor's appointments, and they were kind of rough to witness as I could tell she was in a lot of pain," Conley said. "It was difficult to see her in pain and not acting like herself. But like one of the doctors pointed out, she was so strong through it all. I can't recall a moment where I didn't see her strength. We all definitely learned from her resiliency. She had zero excuses and that certainly rubbed off on the rest of us."
 
Fines, who also found time in her busy calendar to volunteer with the athletics compliance office, has cherished every moment of her time in Berkeley.
 
"Cal Athletics has given me the platform to serve as a role model and mentor for so many young people," she said. "Being a student-athlete at the No. 1 public university in the world has been the biggest blessing of my life. Competing at the highest level both athletically and academically has prepared me for life after college in so many ways from time management, leadership, organizational effectiveness, cultural intelligence and public speaking -  to name a few."