As Collin College celebrates its 40th anniversary, it offers an opportunity for us to look back at the experiences of Collin College athletes. Below are a few reflections from former athletes on their time as Collin College Cougars (or members of The Express, Collin's mascot until the college changed its mascot in 2004).
Gilberto Clavell – Professional basketball player in Puerto Rico (Wiki)
"Collin College transformed my life. Arriving from Puerto Rico with limited English, Collin helped me develop fluency and confidence. Playing basketball there honed my skills, preparing me for a professional career that spanned continents. Coach Sigona's insistence on respect and hard work resonated not just on the court, but in all aspects of life. His unwavering support during my challenges and triumphs solidified a lasting bond. Collin is more than a place; it's where I forged lifelong friendships, learned valuable life lessons, and built enduring relationships with coaches and professors."
Heather Schwille – Member of the first National Championship Women's Tennis Team
"The best thing was the camaraderie between the student athletes. We were a close group, and we were motivated to do well in school. It was very welcoming. We had a lot of fun. Coach Berryman had an ability to remember everyone he met and always offered fond memories of everyone he ever coached. He was very passionate about his players, and I loved him. He was a great man."
Jeff Clarkson – Head boys coach at Prestonwood Christian Academy
"My decision to attend Collin College and play basketball was pivotal for my future. Collin College provided a great academic foundation as I then went on to attain two degrees from Tarleton State University. Playing basketball at Collin was a special experience. The relationships built during those two years have stood the test of time, and I continue to stay in touch with many of my Collin teammates. It was during my time playing for Coach Jim Sigona that I decided to become a coach myself. After 25 years as a high school basketball coach, I'm so thankful for the lessons I learned under the legendary Coach Jim Sigona."
Mark Glass – Tennis player from 1992-94
"I came in as a walk-on from Plano Senior High. There weren't any high expectations, but Coach Berryman gave me a chance. I went from being No. 10 on the team the first year to playing at nationals the second year and winning nationals in singles. I lost only five games in five matches there, so coming from where I started in two years was a big deal. If you go to a college anywhere and you aren't top six or eight, you're not going to play. The tournaments he held and the matches he created – you had opportunities no matter where you were in the lineup. You were playing here, and you don't get that at NCAA schools. If I didn't have that, I'd have been a guy on the bench. Being able to play matches that first year and having confidence in my second year gave me that power and growth. That is what makes this place special to me. I always felt comfortable here and was able to balance sports with life and school."
Antreanna Brooks – Head Coach at Hill College
"Attending Collin was really a life-changing experience. If it wasn't for Coach Allen and the opportunity to play for Collin, I would not have attended college. Playing for two years and earning an associate degree opened the next door for me, which would be obtaining my bachelor's degree, which then opened up the next door of obtaining my master's degree. Without that first door being opened at Collin, I wouldn't be able to be where I am today and doing what I love to do. Collin allowed me to make my dream come true of being a collegiate head coach. I am truly grateful for Collin and the memories that were created there."
Michael Mabe – Collin College tennis player from 1999-2001, assistant coach from 2004-06
"The camaraderie with my teammates was great, and I learned a lot about myself, my competitive nature, and how to fight for what I really wanted. To achieve victory, I learned that the hard work would pay off in the end. For instance, I remember playing at Abilene Christian University when ACU was one match away from clinching an overall team victory against us. I was down a set and a break and fought off a couple of match points to win the second set. I won the full third set. It had come down to my match, and everyone was ready to leave, but I was willing to play for four hours and lose a limb to win that match. I think that is something learned here, to just keep fighting and never stop believing. The importance of that never goes away – in all aspects of life, really."
Stephen Pearce – Head Coach at Wylie High School
"I played basketball at Collin College during the 2004-05 season, and I coached with Coach Sigona for three seasons, 2005-08. I have some incredible memories from coaching and playing. I believe in the phrase that 'more is caught, than taught.' One of the things that Coach Sigona taught me over those years was the value of consistency. Coach brought consistent energy and enthusiasm to practice and games. He was always prepared and ready to 'motivate' guys at any given moment. This is something that I have tried to emulate in my coaching career."
Mary Clark – Tennis player from 2014-16
"Honestly, the best memories were the teamwork that Coach Berryman provided for us and the amazing encouragement, along with the pure joy of playing here. When our team went to nationals in Arizona, I remember being so grateful for the opportunity. Without the school and Coach Berryman, I would have never made such great memories and had such a great experience."
Zhanae Whitney– Basketball player from 2015-17
"My favorite memory at Collin was when my 2015-16 team won the conference championship. That was my first time being a part of something so special. Collin College and the coaching staff definitely opened up many opportunities for me moving forward. I went on to perform at the Division I level at Louisiana Tech University, and I am so grateful to have gained the experience and skills to go on and play at the highest level. One of the most important lessons that I learned while playing for Collin College was that everyone has their own unique strengths. In the beginning I didn't realize that my strength was rebounding, but toward the end of my career at Collin College I learned that I brought that piece of the puzzle to my team. Rebounding was the reason people noticed me because I was smaller than most players who played my position. I took pride in rebounding every time I stepped onto the basketball court, and that has impacted my game in a major way. Playing for Collin has also helped me build relationships and network in different areas in my life whether personal or professional. I am forever grateful for my time at Collin and will forever call Collin College my home. Thank you for letting me be a part of history."