LBCC at the Motocross track

 LBCC student Josh Panzica pushes the limits at the local Albany Motorsports Park track.

Nothing but smiles from this student after rolling off the track. 

Albany MX Park knows how to prep a track for a great day of racing!

Donn Maeda

Donn Maeda is the lead editor and photographer for the nations number one rated motocross magazine, Transworld Motocross.

Maeda got his start in journalism in 1991 when he was hired on as an assistant editor for a weekly motocross newspaper, Cycle News. After six years, he left for another assistant editor position at Dirt Rider Magazine, where he worked, as he would describe for one hellish year. After leaving to start up his own magazine MX Racer, and taking it as far as he thought possible, he joined the Transworld team as chief editor.

Maeda attended Cal State, seeking a degree in Journalism. Two years into classes he was placed on academic probation. A day later he dropped out to pursue his opportunity at Cycle News. To this day Maeda doesn’t regret his decision, and maintains that he loves his job, and “Absolutely looks forward to waking up for work every day!” (http://ads.bonniercorp.com/, 2010)

Maeda was first noticed for his writing style and editorial abilities, which paired with his incredible abilities behind the camera, brought him to where he is today. Although many would argue Maeda doesn’t have a particularly unique style, everyone agrees he has a knack for perfect timing, and opportune placement. He just seems to always be in the right place at the right time, for those incredible action shots.

Donn Maeda has reached the peak in his career, a place nearly every motocross oriented journalist only dreams of, a place I dream of! 

Photo Credit: Donn Maeda, Transworld Motocross

More of his work: http://www.flickr.com/photos/max713photography/

The Dirty Dozen Run 2013

LBCC student Julia Zhukov careful scales a log over one of several mud pits.

Alaina Horton holds on to the bars above a mud pit.

The Dirty Dozen Run 2013 had a great turnout, with near perfect weather all day.

LBCC motorcycle rider, taking advantage of the warm spring weather.

LBCC Volleyball

Advanced Volleyball instructor Jamie Frazier oversees her students practice drills.

Spring brings great weather for sand volleyball!

Student, Joe Unnamed stretches out for the ball.

Moto in the sand!

Profile: Cal Hooley

Profile: Cal Hooley

Cal Hooley was a 19-year-old high school graduate living in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. Working as a bartender at the local pub, while playing his passion, baseball.

Cal now lives 8,000 miles away from home here in Albany, as a starting pitcher for the LBCC Road Runners.

Hooley decided to he wanted to travel to follow his dream of professional baseball, “After moving to southern Australia to play baseball for two years, livin’ two thousand miles from home, I got a passion for traveling for baseball.” Since moving out of his parents at age 16, Hooley has spent a total of eight months actually living in his home territory. “It became more than going places to play, it started being about meeting new people, and experiencing new places.” After four years of traveling, it became obvious that there was one place he needed to go, “America was an easy choice, the main hub for baseball in the world, I figured I’d have the best opportunity here to take advantage of coaching and play in the major leagues.”

After playing in Guam for a little over a month, Hooley’s coach asked him to come play for the team in the U.S., in Kansas. Three months before he was planning to be in Kansas, the coach changed teams and states. “After talking to another coach I’ve known my whole life, he said that Linn Benton had a good program, and would be a good way to get my feet wet with American baseball.” Hooley made it to the U.S. for his first stay in Fall of 2011.

Being an exchange student, and an athlete presented its challenges. “The scariest part was crossing the street, you blokes drive on the wrong side of the street!” (Laughs) “My financial situation was always a concern, not being able to work on my visa makes it hard.” With no financial aid available, Hooley pays his own way with money he saved from working back home. Finances weren’t the only concern, “I always have to be full time, and obviously pass all my classes.” With 14 credit hours, and an additional 25 hours of baseball a week, his schedule is a busy one. “I’ve invested a lot being here, there’s a lot of pressure to do good,” he says. Beyond wanting to make his parents proud, Hooley wants to both succeed in school with his degree in biological science, and his dreams of professional baseball.

Hooley is a starting pitcher for the LBCC baseball team, it seems all his hard work and dedication has paid off. His visa expires in summer of this year, but he has plans in place when moving back home, "I'm going to try out for the Australia Professional League when I get home, there's a good chance I'll make it in." 

“It’s definitely been an interesting experience, not nearly as many of you wear cowboy hats as I thought.” Hooley leaves for Australia in June of this year, after two years in the U.S. Hooley plans to come at some point. “If I could do it over again, I would have saved up some more money, it’s expensive over here.” Hooley’s happy with experience here, “I’ve met a lot of new people, and made a lot of new really good friends, the whole experience has just been pretty ******* awesome!”

At A Glance:
Cal Hooley
Age: 22
Hometown: Darwin, Australia
Position: Pitcher
Goals: To play in the Australian Professional League
Area of Study: Biological Sciences
LBCC Baseball
Australia Professional League

Photo Credit: Unknown