West Virginia University senior Chris Serrano has tackled a lot of challenges in his young life.

A star athlete in his hometown of Swedesboro , N.J. , he bounced back after an injury threatened his chances of playing college football.

He dropped out of school to take on a full-time job to support his family when his father suffered a stroke.

On Sunday (Dec. 12), Serrano will don a cap and gown for WVU ’s December Convocation and become the first person in his family to graduate from college.

This degree is my family’s as much as it is mine,he said.My parents have been through a lot with mefootball, knee surgery, my struggle with school.

While many graduates will attend celebrations that day, Serrano said he would rather use the time to look for a job or work to help his family.

My parents asked me if I wanted them to throw me a graduation party,he said.Just for them to sayhappy graduation’andwe’re proud of you’is enough for me.

Along the way, Serrano has made a lot of sacrificeseach one instilling in him the value of family.

A football standout in high school, he caught the attention of college recruiters and received many offers from major universities until an all-star game sidelined him.

I didn’t commit because I wanted to wait for my all-star game,he said.I was told a lot of recruiters would come there, and I may get scholarship offers. But all that went out the window when I tore the ACL ( anterior cruciate ligament) in my left knee, and a university in Connecticut withdrew its scholarship.

Undeterred, Serrano became a walk-on wide receiver for West Virginia coach Don Nehlen’s 2000-01 Mountaineers.

He also became active in intramural football at WVU and joined the YMCA softball and basketball leagues in his hometown in New Jersey .

His love for sports extended to the classroom. He majored in sports behavior at WVU ’s School of Physical Education .

All that changed in July 2003. While Serrano was home for summer vacation, there was another setback, one that would change his family forever.

I was changing my tire,he recalled.I was asking Dad a question, and he wasn’t answering me. I turned around, and he looked like he was out of breath.

His father, Carlos, had suffered a stroke, leaving him temporarily paralyzed on the left side of his body.

As you can imagine, this hit my family and me very hard,Serrano said.He was unable to speak. As he was being evaluated in the hospital, his face became paralyzed and his arm started to go.

Soon after the stroke, Serrano dropped out of WVU . He drove his father to rehab two to three times a week and to doctor’s appointments, all the while working full-time at the fitness room of the localYto support his family.

My father is originally from Bronx , N.Y. ,he said.He was a truck driver for Hostess for many years and transferred to New Jersey right before I was born to take me and my sister out of the Bronx . He’s worked all those years, but he probably won’t go back into truck driving. This is tough for him. He’s used to being independent.

Eventually, his father regained some of his strength and speech, but Serrano, wanting to be closer to his family, decided to transfer schools and continue working at the YMCA .

I was talking to my girlfriend at the time,he said.I decided I didn’t have much time left and could transfer and finish up here. Dad was still struggling to speak, but I could just see that he wanted me to go back. He told me he’d be all right, and he could take care of himself.

With his father’s words of encouragement, he returned to WVU last January and completed his degree, which he hopes to use in the future as a fitness coordinator at a YMCA .

Jack Watson, an assistant professor in sport and exercise psychology, said Serrano is a good role model for students dealing with challenges in their lives.

Even though his father is not completely recovered, he returned at his father’s encouragement,Watson said.He has had to go home and help out with family issues on several occasions.

We have encouraged him along the way and tried to help him balance both school and family concerns,he added.It’s been difficult for him at times, but he’s done a wonderful job handling both of those roles.

Serrano’s father and mother, Marilynalong with his sister and her boyfriend and some friends who have helped him through collegewill attend Sunday’s Convocation ceremonies.