Cal Poly Humboldt Athletics’ announced the death of one of their most accomplished soccer players in program history on Tuesday, ‘Jacks great Kamika Sherwood. He was 54.

“Humboldt Athletics is deeply saddened to share the passing of Humboldt soccer legend Kamika Sherwood, who passed away on Tuesday, April 2, 2025,” Cal Poly Humboldt Athletics’ wrote in their statement Tuesday. “More than just a gifted athlete, Kamika was the most loyal and caring teammate anyone could ask for. His spirit, character, and contributions to Humboldt Athletics will never be forgotten.”

Sherwood’s name still stands in Humboldt’s program record books, ranking second in goals scored with 32 and fourth in assists with 19. Sherwood played with the ‘Jacks from 1989-1992 and was named an All-Conference player twice, in 1991 and 1992. He became the first ‘Jacks player in program history to earn All-American honors, one of three Humboldt men’s soccer players to ever receive the honor, while being named Northern California Athletic Conference Player of the Year.

“Kamika’s infectious personality brought our team together. Despite being the most decorated player in the history of Humboldt soccer, he treated every teammate equally,” Dave Colley, a three-year teammate of Sherwood at Humboldt said in the release. “He elevated the program with his work ethic and compassion towards others.”

Sherwood was inducted into the Humboldt’s Athletics Hall of Fame in 1999. Cal Poly Humboldt’s statement did not include a cause of death for Sherwood.

During Sherwood’s tenure with Humboldt, the ‘Jacks went 41-36-4, while also being a part of the highest-scoring team in program history in 1989 and the winningest team in program history, with the 1989 team winning 15 games.

“Kamika was the true classic opportunistic striker. He would be in the right position at the right time to score goals and with his speed and dynamic play, he was an All-American soccer player for Humboldt,” Chris Hopper, former head and assistant coach with Humboldt said in Tuesday’s release. “We will always remember Kamika’s great contributions to the Humboldt State soccer team.”

Humboldt freshman sets new school record

‘Jacks freshman Michael Payan was named CCAA Field Athlete of the Week after Payan set a new school pole vaulting record at the Brutus Hamilton Invitational in Berkeley on Saturday.

The previous record was held by Justin Miller, with a mark of 16’, 8.75” back in 2002 but Payan bested that by clearing 16’, 11.5” on Saturday. Payan now ranks fourth in all of Division II and got second place in the Brutus Hamilton Invitational.

Payan set the new school mark as just a freshman, giving himself plenty of time to add onto that total over the course of the next three seasons. Last year, Payan finished third in the California State Championship after winning the CIF San Joaquin Section Championship while at Whitney High School in Rocklin, California.

While Payan took second in the pole vault, junior Damian Greenwood took fourth place in men’s javelin, with a mark of 51.36 meters. Humboldt’s women’s 4 x 100 relay team finished in third place behind the University of Nevada and UC Berkeley while the ‘Jacks men’s 4 x 400 relay team finished in third behind Chico State and Stanislaus State.

Dylan McNeill can be reached at 707-441-0526.