The Don Lugo Conquistadores have always prided themselves on their athletics. Located on the walls of the gym is an Alumni hall of fame, which includes a list of some of the most prestigious athletes to come out of the Chino area. Two of these star athletes, Chad Cordero and Leah O’Brien­Amico, were honored at Lugo’s 2015-2016 winter sports rally for not only their accomplishments, but also for what they have done for the Don Lugo community.

         Chad Cordero, major league baseball player, graduated from Don Lugo in 2000. He later went on to play college ball at Cal State Fullerton where he was a 2 time All American. He broke 9 all-time records at Cal State Fullerton before he was drafted by the Montreal Expos in the 1st round, and in his 6 year MLB career he had 128 career saves, an All Star team selection, and a franchise record holder for saves in a season (47).

         Leah Obrien-Amico, professional softball player, graduated from Don Lugo in 1992. She played softball at the University of Arizona where she lead her team to 3 National Championships and was named Arizona’s Female Athlete of the Year. She was also apart of the USA Olympics team and brought home 3 Gold Medals in 1996, 2000, and 2004.

         Both of these star athletes felt that Don Lugo was their roots and the beginning of their careers. To them, doing well in high school was just as important as doing well on the field. Chad said “Without high school, as a student athlete, you’re not really going to be able to get to where you want to go.”

         High School, to Chad, was where he learned how to be a team player and to focus on his attitude. His big advice for Don Lugo’s athletes was, “You could be the best athlete on the team, but if the coaches see you have a bad attitude, you don’t get along with other players, you’re just constantly talking back and not listening to other people, they’re just gonna pass you over because they don’t want to deal with all that.”

         Chad felt so strongly towards Don Lugo that he took it upon himself to donate the funds for the weight room. He said, “I wanted to give back to the school that helped me get where I was.” And so he talked to Coach Marcos and got the room put together.

         Leah shared a similar, humble approach by acknowledging her pride in her start in the relatively small town of Chino. “Everybody’s got to start somewhere and seeing athletes that came after me like Chad, Diana Taurasi, and other people is neat to see and be able to say that we all went to the same high school, and that’s our hometown.” Both athletes went on to emphasize on the idea that where you come from will always be a part of you no matter where it is that you go.

         A quick visit from successful Don Lugo alumni was not only refreshing, but in all aspects motivational. Leah and Chad shared their personal odysseys that prove the potential that can be found in all students that share the same ambition that they did.