Julio Gramajo: Defensive Line / Academic Athletic Support Program Coordinator

A member of the nationally-ranked 1995 Monarch football team, Julio Gramajo remembers with pride that glorious year, especially the post-season battle for the national championship. "That was a war," he recalls. "I remember all of us playing a great game as the score see-sawed back and forth. We just couldn't get field position. And the fact that our kicker (Jose Cortez) was returning from an injury didn't help our cause." If Gramajo has strong memories for that game, he has fond ones of his former coach Jim Fenwick. "He was a great coach and mentor," he says. "He always had his door open. For me, he was not just a coach but a father figure as well. He made sure we got where we wanted to go."

For Gramajo, the next stop was a full-scholarship to Western New Mexico where he received a degree in Administration of Justice with a minor in sociology. Today, he's a behavior specialist working with kids ages 3-5 in the South Central area of Los Angeles. "These kids need role models," he explains. "They're crying out for them. There is so much negativity out there. We just try to provide them with the positives to help keep them on the right track." Recently Coach Gramajo accepted a new position at Los Angeles Valley College as the academic athletic support program coordinator. He will be working with athletes from 16 different teams in the athletic department. His responsibilities will include study hall director, progress reports distribution, checking eligibility status of athletes, and a host of other miscellaneous duties.

Coach Gramajo works closely with the student-athletes to help them make logical and critical decisions for themselves. By giving them accurate information about the classrooms and their schedules, football athletes have a coach on campus always there to help. His efforts are supported by the faculty, staff, and administration in a program that is committed to keeping the balance between academics and athletics, while appreciating the value of both.

Coach Gramajo will assist in student-athlete workshops. At the workshops, all the key elements that are involved in this process are explained thoroughly. Topics such as admissions, assessment, orientation, counseling/advisement, and follow-up procedures are reviewed so that the football athlete understands his responsibilities.