Distinguished Alumnus
Kirsten Cummings was born deaf, but that didn’t stop her from becoming one of the best women’s basketball players in the country. As the first deaf player to become a first-team All-American, Kirsten excelled on the top ranked Long Beach State team before enjoying 14 high performing years as a professional basketball player, displaying her talents worldwide in 6 countries, including the US.
After blazing the trail for other players with disabilities, Kirsten retired from professional basketball in 1999 and found hometown San Diego State the ideal place to take her love of sports and physical fitness in an exciting new direction. Thanks to Randi McKenzie’s exceptional mentorship and the teachings of Thom McKenzie and other notable professors, Kirsten graduated from San Diego State in 2002 with a Master’s Degree in Biomechanics.
With an SDSU Master’s Degree in hand, Kirsten soon discovered senior women’s basketball and her passion for senior sports became evident. Combining her lifelong love of basketball, sports, and fitness, Kirsten realized her mission was to help men and women extend their lives as athletes into their 80’s, 90’s, and beyond.
Kirsten is now Executive Director of the San Diego Senior Games Association, Founder/CEO of the National Senior Women’s Basketball Association, Co-Founder of the National Senior Athlete’s Association, and owner of Silver Swan Training, specializing in personal training for men and women over 50 years of age.
Still very involved in sports and fitness herself, Kirsten enjoys giving back by coaching dozens of senior women’s basketball players, helping her hometown San Diego teams take home GOLD and SILVER medals at the last 7 National Senior Games, and inspiring 50+ men and women nationwide to understand their bodies better and continue pursuing their athletic dreams – at any age!
