Astronaut Set to Orbit the Moon

Victor Glover is about to embark on a journey around the moon.

A graduate of the University of California, San Luis Obispo from 1999, Glover initially had different ambitions before he was selected as one of four astronauts for NASA’s Artemis II mission, which will last 10 days.

Born in Ontario, California, he played defensive back on the Mustangs’ football team and also participated in professional wrestling during his time at Cal Poly. It’s funny, he remarks, that wrestling can be almost as challenging as rocket science.

In a conversation with Jeffrey Armstrong, the president of Cal Poly, Glover mentioned, “The hardest decision I ever made was to walk in space,” noting that wrestling with longtime coach Lenise Cowell ranked as the next toughest task.

Andre Patterson, who was Glover’s football coach at Cal Poly and is now coaching for the New York Giants, recognized Glover’s intelligence and determination. “He might not have been the fastest or most athletic, but he was the most skilled technician and would achieve success,” Patterson said, summarizing Glover’s true essence.

Interestingly, Glover, who will be the first Black person to orbit the moon, has maintained strong ties with the university. He has been active in various events on campus, including talks with the wrestling team.

Cal Poly’s head wrestling coach, John Sioredas, expressed how much the team appreciated Glover’s story, noting how relatable his experiences are for young athletes looking for inspiration.

As of 7:49 p.m. ET Thursday, the Artemis II spacecraft has successfully exited Earth’s orbit, heading towards a destination that only 24 others have reached before.

The mission is well underway after completing a test orbit around Earth.