Bio

Nicole Meyer-Sandez graduated from Mar Vista High School in 1989 where she participated as a three- sport athlete in volleyball, basketball and softball winning numerous accolades and awards from her high school and the Metro League. A skilled athlete and a fierce competitor, she was team MVP and All-League in basketball and softball and was honored as Senior Female of the Year. A good student as well, she was named to the All-Academic team in Softball. As a result, Nicole was inducted into the Mar Vista School Hall of Champions.

Nicole attended Southwestern College from 1991-1993but decided to concentrate on softball and play for the Pacific Coast Conference Coach of the year Pam Stone. She was a dynamic pitcher, shortstop and power hitter who sparked her team to a second-place finish battling perennial State Champion Palomar. For her outstanding play, she was selected to both the 1991 and 1992 Pacific Coast All Conference Teams. Head Coach Pam Stone recalls: “Nicky was, and is, a rare student-athlete and role model. Her attributes of athleticism, intelligence, and character made her superior on and off the field. Today her work ethics is still contagious, and her leadership shines in all she does. Nick has compassion and vitality for people, and it showed every day she came to the field and still shines in her teaching and coaching. I feel so blessed that our paths crossed and I am honored to be called her coach. I am looking forward to the amazing things she accomplishes in her future.”

After playing at Southwestern, Nicole played on the Mexican National team and competed one year at San Diego State University. Between the ages of 16 to 41 years old, she participated in over 40 national championships in Mexico in various age categories including the open division, and earned numerous MVP and Batting Champion Awards. She played in two international tournaments for team Mexico: the 1990 ISF Championship and in 1992 the central American Games.

Nicole returned to San Diego State University to complete her education, graduating in 1995 with a BA in Mathematical Science. Shortly after, she was hired to teach math in the Sweetwater District and where she is currently assigned at Otay Ranch high School. In the following years, Nicole coached high school for five years, assisting at Coronado and Otay ranch. She then returned to Southwestern College and coached for the Jags under Head Coach Bob Aguilar. She also continued to play in Mexico after she married and had two children. In 2010, although she was 39 years old, she was asked again to play in the Mexican National team, and after accepting their invitation, played at the international level for the next two years competing in the 2011 Central American Games and the Pan American Games held in Mexico. In recognition for her many contributions, at her last Open National in Mexico, the President of the Mexican Softball Federation awarded Nicolle her Hall of Fame ring during opening ceremonies.

Since 2008, Nicole has been actively involved at Bonita Valley Girls ASA as a coach, both for recreational season and the all-star season. She is also a member of the board, fundraises for the league and assists in softball clinics. Nicole says: “My goal is to help young girls to develop a love for the game and their skills, but also to teach them about the importance of teamwork leadership commitment so they develop into independent strong young women.”

Nicole is married to Eddie Sandez and they have two active children, son Darian and daughter Daniela. Her mother, Dolores Meyer, and her family have always supported Nicole in her pursuit for athletic and academic achievement.

Nicole remembers: “By far the best memory I have of SWC is the friendships built with my teammates. The bond with these other remarkable women is irreplaceable. I also fondly remember in the spring of 1991 participating in the Cerritos Tournament playing three back-to-back games and bringing home the championship.”