Sarina Oeub is a Cambodian-born American. The second of four children, Sarina was born in a refugee camp in Thailand. His parents escaped from Cambodia as survivors of what became known as “The Killing Fields”. From the mid 1970s to the early 1980s – through execution, starvation, and forced labor- the Khmer Rouge led by Pol Pot killed an estimated two million Cambodians.
Once Sarina’s family arrived at a refugee camp on the coast of Thailand, they were among thousands of refugees who were waiting for sponsorship to go to another country. Six long months in the camp had passed before they found out that they were sponsored. Sarina calls the flight to the United States the happiest moment of his family’s life.
Sarina newly-arrived in Philadelphia in 1984. Within a few months his mom obtained employment as an interpreter for newly arrived refugees and his dad found work at a local manufacturing company. The family lived in several neighborhoods before settling in the Olney section of Philadelphia.
Growing up, sports played a huge role in Sarina’s life. Football was his favorite. Sarina attended Cardinal Dougherty High School where he was a four year varsity football starter – breaking several school records. He went on to earn All-Catholic, All-City, All-State honors and was named Offensive MVP in 1999 (Daily News Article written on Sarina from 1999). Sarina was recruited and received scholarship offers from Boston College, James Madison, and the University of Pittsburgh. Sarina’s NCAA playing career was cut short by a serious knee injury that ended his days of football.
Sarina is now responsible for national document recording at WWLT and would be glad to answer questions anyone may have. A stickler for details, Sarina has been a great member of our team for several years.
Sarina’s pride and joy is his beautiful ten-year old daughter with whom he loves spending time every chance he gets.
