As a part of our month-long series honoring black athletes who played on the Hilltop, today we are highlighting the legendary Don, Stefan Gartrell.
 
Stefan Gartrell was a cornerstone member of the legendary Dons' in the mid 2000's.  Gartrell earned First Team All-WCC honors in 2006 when he led the Dons with 62 RBI's in the program's first ever trip to the NCAA Tournament.
 
The four-time letter winner, roamed the outfield and played in 171 games making 140 starts.  He is a career .327 hitter.  He smashed 17 home runs and drove in 131 RBI's which ranks fourth all-time for the Diamond Dons.
 
Following his senior campaign, one in which he hit .335 with 62 runs batted (in 61 games), he was named to Baseball America's Top-50 Seniors List and was eventually drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 31^st round of the Major League Baseball Amateur Draft.
 
Over nine seasons in professional ball, he hit .269 with 159 home runs and 590 RBI.  In 2010, playing for the Charlotte Knights in Triple-A he played in 139 games, recording 136 hits and clubbing 27 home runs all career-highs.
 
Gartrell's true calling however, came after his playing days were over.  The San Francisco native, who attended Sacred Heart Cathedral High School, founded the non-profit Ripple Effect 22, a faith-based program that strives to reach the disaffected youth of San Francisco, Oakland, and San Mateo.
 
RE22's goal is to partner mentors who can share their time to enrich their community.  These mentors are trained to help inspire and educate youngsters to find their "God-given" talents and to help improve their situation. 
 
We are honoring Gartrell as a Don for his prowess on the diamond, but more importantly for his work in his community. We honoring Gartrell in the hopes that our former and current athletes will appreciate his championing of the black athlete and the struggle for equality. Lastly, we are honoring Gartrell as a Don who embodies all four pillars.