5 Super Athletes With Ties To Rohnert Park-Cotati

Sports have a way of teaching invaluable life lessons — building character, fostering teamwork and strengthening the bonds within a community. In the Rohnert Park-Cotati area, these values have shaped some truly remarkable athletes from different eras, whose accomplishments continue to inspire.

Patch has teamed up with T-Mobile to spotlight five standout athletes whose achievements have left a lasting mark on our community. While this list is just a snapshot, there are countless others who have helped shape the rich sports culture in our area.

1. Larry Allen (Football)

A dominant force on the offensive line, Allen was widely regarded as one of the strongest and most versatile players in NFL history. After excelling at Butte College and Sonoma State, where he became a two-time All-American, Allen was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in 1994. Over a 14-season career, he earned 11 Pro Bowl selections, seven All-Pro honors and a Super Bowl title with the Cowboys in 1996. Allen’s legacy includes his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2013 and his place in the NFL’s All-Decade Teams for both the 1990s and 2000s.

2. Stacy Ball (Soccer)

Ball played a pivotal role in leading the Sonoma State Seawolves to their first national championship in 1990. A three-time All-NCAC selection, Ball’s career brilliance is marked by 25 goals and 25 assists, the latter tying her for second all-time in program history. Her exceptional performance on the field earned her All-American honors, cementing her legacy as one of SSU’s greatest players.

3. Jann Thorpe (Basketball)

A trailblazer for women's basketball at Sonoma State, Thorpe is celebrated as the school’s only All-American in the sport and a transformative force on the court in the late 1990s. Thorpe holds nearly every major record in program history, including scoring, rebounding, steals and double-doubles, and remains the only SSU player—male or female—to surpass 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds. Her dominance is reflected in her single-season and single-game rebounding records, which still stand unmatched. Thorpe led the Seawolves to their first two NCAA Tournament appearances, culminating in a program-best 23-5 record in the 1998-99 season. A three-time conference player of the year, she earned back-to-back All-Region honors and was named SSU’s Female Athlete of the Year twice.

4. Scott Alexander (Baseball)

Alexander, a skilled MLB pitcher, has showcased his talent across multiple teams, including the Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants and Oakland Athletics. After a record-setting high school career in Santa Rosa, Alexander played college baseball at Pepperdine and later transferred to Sonoma State University, where he excelled as a top Division II prospect. Drafted by the Royals in the sixth round of the 2010 MLB Draft, Alexander made his MLB debut in 2015 and has since become known for his consistency on the mound, highlighted by his postseason appearances with the Dodgers.

5. Jaylen Wells (Basketball)

Wells first gained recognition for his basketball talent at Folsom High School in Sacramento, where he averaged 26.3 points per game as a senior and was named The Sacramento Bee's Player of the Year. He went on to shine at Sonoma State University, earning California Collegiate Athletic Association Player of the Year honors after an impressive sophomore season averaging 22.4 points per game. Wells later transferred to Washington State, continuing his upward trajectory and ultimately declaring for the 2024 NBA Draft. Drafted 39th overall by the Memphis Grizzlies, he quickly made an impact, earning Western Conference Rookie of the Month honors early in his debut season.

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