The spring 2017 semester will be the last for WSU senior guard Charles Callison.

The six-foot-four general said he has mixed emotions about his college career coming to an end.

“I’m happy but kind of sad because college is fun,” Callison said. “I’m going to miss my friends, my coaches, the atmosphere we have and the friendships that I’ve created.”

Callison is originally from Moreno Valley, California. He was the captain of his high school basketball team and earned all-league honors during his senior year at Canyon Springs High School.

“To be honest, football was my first love before basketball,” Callison said. “I played football before I played basketball, but I just transferred into basketball and I’ve stayed with it.”

After graduating from high school, Callison attended San Bernardino Valley College from 2013 through 2015. In those two years, Callison played basketball under Head Coach Quincy Brewer.

During Callison’s freshman year at SBVC, he helped guide the team to a second-place finish in the state tournament and was named to the all-league second team.

Callison went on to accomplish even more during his sophomore year at SBVC.

He averaged 15.4 points, three rebounds and four assists per game. The team won its 14th conference championship with Callison running the point, and finished the season with a 29-2 record and a 10-game winning streak.

Callison’s performance his sophomore year garnered him most valuable player awards in the Foothill Conference, Alvin Hunter Winter Classic and Kirby Mannon-Pepsi-Holiday Inn Tournament. Callison was also named the 2014 Press-Enterprise Area College Men’s Athlete of the Year.

After the Cougs recruited Callison out of junior college, he transferred to WSU in the fall of 2015 to play during his final two years of school.

Receiving a full scholarship, the transition to division one basketball and a new environment was a bit difficult, Callison said, but he was able to get through it by putting his mind to it, seeking help and praying.

“The schooling is probably a little bit more difficult than the junior college level, but the basketball level is obviously more competitive and tougher,” Callison said. “I’m a high believer in God. I had Coach Ernie Kent help me, my family helped me and my friends gave me positive energy. That’s what really got me through.”

One noticeable difference that the California native had to adapt to in Pullman was the snow.

“I liked it for the first week when I was first here, now it just has to go,” Callison said. “Driving in the snow is ridiculous. It’s scary to me.”

The senior said playing for WSU has been a learning experience. Last season, during Callison’s first year, the Cougars went 1-17 in the conference.

“It kind of turned me into a man,” Callison said. “I play every game with a passion, and I know what it’s like to be on the fall. Now I know what I need to do to stay on top and not fall back down.”

Callison originally wanted to major in music but switched when he found out it would conflict with his basketball schedule. He instead chose to pursue a degree in criminal justice because he wants to help society.

Callison was also influenced to pursue a criminal justice degree by some of his family members. His aunt recently retired as a correctional officer, and his uncle was also involved in law enforcement.

“I want to help others that are not educated enough to know what’s right from wrong,” Callison said. “I want to help kids and adults. I want to show them the options instead of them going down the wrong route.”

Callison’s journey has taken him from the sunny hills of Northern California up to the winter tundra that is the Palouse and has exposed him to a variety of new challenges both on and off the court.

But as his career at WSU comes to a close in the next few months, the guard is prepared to leave with a new mindset — building a better community wherever his journey takes him next.