In her third season with the Cal State East Bay women's soccer team, Abigail Kern has been an outstanding student-athlete on and off the field.
 
With five goals on the season in which Cal State East Bay needs just one point to qualify for the CCAA Tournament, Kern has also excelled in the classroom. She was an Academic All-District® honoree in 2023 and a two-time CCAA All-Academic Award recipient.
 
Kern's inspiration fuels her determination with a very local support system. "As a student-athlete, what inspires me is the pursuit of pushing beyond my limits and seeing how far I can achieve academically and athletically. The thrill of competition and seeing that my hard work is paying off. Also, the pursuit of personal growth on and off the field. I think there are a lot of people who inspire me. However, one person who has inspired me to become the best version of myself, help regain my confidence, and supported me through hard times is my coach, Anne Whipple."
 
Being a student-athlete is very demanding. And although Kern has faced the challenges, she has discovered methods to conquer. "Some challenges I have faced in the classroom are having to manage the dense material and create disciplined study habits to succeed. Balancing my academic workload, athletic responsibilities, and my role as a peer advocate on campus, I had to develop time management skills where I have learned to prioritize tasks and stay organized. Athletically, I have faced performance anxiety and a lack of confidence. Transferring from one program to another, was a challenge in itself, having to adapt, and find new ways to stay motivated. As a student-athlete, I had to manage the mental pressures of performing at a high level consistently. Over time, I learned to develop strategies (a positive mindset, setting realistic goals, take care of my body, seeking support when I needed, having confidence in myself) to handle anxiety and improve mental resilience during games."
 
And managing her challenges only inspires Kern to help others who face similar battles and advocate for. "I envision thriving as a role model, particularly for athletes facing mental health challenges. I want to make an impact in sports psychology through research and hands-on work with athletes, helping them build mental toughness and overcome barriers that I too have faced myself."
 
Kern is a believer in multiple causes including creating awareness of the importance of mental health along with creating equality in what women's sports provide and receive. "Mental health awareness is one that I'm passionate about. Promoting resources, and reducing the stigma helps create a good environment where individuals can seek help. Another thing would be women's sports and the lack of funding they receive. It is great to see more attention and coverage for women's sports, but it is not nearly as equal as men's sports teams. In terms of pay, female athletes are paid less which sends a message that women's sports are 'less valuable.'"