There are die hard fans and then there’s David Abel.

David Abel is a 60-year-old college student on campus with special needs and he claims to be the biggest Cerritos College athletics fan.

He tries to make it to every game he can to cheer on Cerritos.

“I go to all the games, but not the away games because it’s hard to find a ride,” Abel said.

When he can’t find a ride he’s always up to take public transportation to catch almost any Cerritos game.

“I take the metro,” said Abel, “or my aunt can give me a ride down here.”

He’s been a die-hard Cerritos fan as long as most of Cerritos’ alumni have been in school.

“I’ve been going to every game I could for the last fifteen years,” he added.

He comes to as many games and athletic events as he can but he’s a basketball fan at heart.

“I’ve been a Lakers and basketball fan ever since I was little.”

Like a true fan of the game he even enjoys playing himself, and the wheelchair doesn’t get in the way of his fun.

“I have a wheelchair class,” Abel said, “and we play basketball ourselves.”

“I have to keep an eye on the referees to make sure they’re calling all the right stuff.”

Abel says his girlfriend Christina Marie doesn’t mind his active lifestyle even though he spends a lot of time away from home.

“I don’t go to game’s with him.” Marie said, “I’d rather rest at home and wait for him to get back.
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The couple has lived together locally for quite some time and they help each other out whenever they can.

“I’ve been together with him for five years already.” Marie said

“I lay out everything for him every night; pants, shoes, shirt, everything,” Marie added.

The next game Abel will be attending is Friday’s home basketball game against El Camino at 7:30 p.m.