Drew Helenihi has built a career that reflects a notable transition from competitive collegiate athletics to the specialized world of commercial construction. Born on August 16, 1990, and raised in Livermore, California, Helenihi first gained recognition as a talented baseball player before pursuing a career in construction estimation.
His journey took him from Granada High School and Chabot College to Northwestern State University, where he competed in NCAA Division I baseball while studying biology. After graduating cum laude, Helenihi moved into the professional construction industry. Since 2017, his professional profile has identified him as a Senior Estimator with Walters & Wolf Interiors, a California specialty construction firm.
Although his baseball career ended at the collegiate level, the discipline developed through years of competition appears to have provided a useful foundation for his professional life. His story is particularly interesting because it combines athletic achievement, academic performance, and a technical career that developed after college.
Drew Helenihi’s Facts
| Fact | Details |
| Full Name | Drew Helenihi |
| Date of Birth | August 16, 1990 |
| Birthplace | United States |
| Hometown | Livermore, California |
| High School | Granada High School |
| High School Position | Outfielder |
| High School Batting Average | .495 as a senior |
| College | Chabot College; Northwestern State University |
| College Position | Outfielder / Center Field |
| Chabot College Years | 2008–2010 |
| Chabot Final-Season Average | .340 |
| Chabot Home Runs | 3 |
| Chabot RBIs | 35 |
| Chabot Runs Scored | 45 |
| Chabot Honors | Gold Glove; First-Team All-Conference |
| Northwestern State Years | 2010–2012 |
| NCAA Division | Division I |
| Northwestern State Honors | Southland Conference All-Academic; All-Southland Third Team |
| Degree | Bachelor of Science in Biology |
| Graduation Honors | Cum laude |
| Professional Field | Construction Estimating |
| Current/Listed Position | Senior Estimator |
| Company | Walters & Wolf Interiors |
| Joined Company | 2017 |
| Brother | Derek Helenihi, former LSU and professional baseball player |
Early Life in Livermore, California
Drew Helenihi was born in 1990 and grew up in Livermore, California. During his years at Granada High School, baseball became a central part of his academic and extracurricular life.
As a senior, Helenihi reportedly posted an impressive .495 batting average and earned First-Team All-Conference recognition. He lettered in baseball for three years, establishing himself as one of the stronger players in his school program.
His achievements were not limited to the baseball field. Helenihi also maintained strong academic performance, appearing on the Principal’s Honor Roll with a reported grade-point average of approximately 3.7. The combination of athletic ability and academic consistency would remain a recurring feature of his educational career.
After graduating from Granada High School in 2008, Helenihi continued his baseball career at Chabot College in Hayward, California.
Chabot College Baseball Career
Helenihi played for Chabot College from 2008 through 2010, developing further as an outfielder while competing at the community-college level.
His final season at Chabot was particularly productive. He finished with a .340 batting average, three home runs, 35 runs batted in, and 45 runs scored. His defensive ability was also recognized, with Helenihi receiving a Gold Glove award and first-team all-conference honors as an outfielder.
His time at Chabot also reflected his interest in science. Alongside baseball, he pursued biology and earned an associate degree in the field.
That combination of academics and athletics helped prepare Helenihi for his next step: a transfer to Northwestern State University in Louisiana, where the competition and academic demands became considerably greater.
Northwestern State and NCAA Baseball
Helenihi transferred to Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana, and played three seasons of NCAA Division I baseball for the Demons from 2010 to 2012.
As an outfielder, and particularly as a center fielder, he became an important contributor to the program. In 2011, Helenihi started all 54 games in center field. He led the team in several offensive categories that season, including at-bats, runs scored, and stolen bases.
His consistency at the plate was another notable feature. He recorded a 13-game hitting streak and produced multiple multi-hit performances, including 20 games in which he collected at least two hits.
The 2011 season also demonstrated that his academic priorities remained intact despite the demands of Division I athletics. Helenihi was named to the Southland Conference All-Academic team, recognizing student-athletes who combined athletic participation with strong academic performance.
In 2012, his baseball accomplishments earned another significant distinction when he was selected to the All-Southland Conference Third Team as an outfielder.
Academic Success Beyond the Baseball Field
While Helenihi’s baseball statistics provide one measure of his college career, his academic record offers another important dimension.
At Northwestern State, he majored in biology and continued to maintain strong grades. In December 2012, he graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, with a focus described in university records as Natural Science.
From Baseball to Construction Estimating
Following college, Helenihi transitioned into the construction industry, eventually specializing in estimating.
Publicly available information about his early post-college career is limited. His professional profile, however, indicates that he developed experience in construction estimation before taking a senior-level position with Walters & Wolf Interiors.
According to that profile, Helenihi joined Walters & Wolf Interiors in May 2017 and has worked as a Senior Estimator since then. The company operates as a specialty contractor in California, with work involving areas such as doors, hardware, and related interior construction components.
A construction estimator plays an important role in the bidding process. The position generally requires professionals to review project documents, assess material and labor requirements, analyze costs, and develop estimates that can help a contractor submit competitive and realistic bids.
Family Connection to College Baseball
Baseball also has a notable place in Helenihi’s family background. His brother, Derek Helenihi, played college baseball at Louisiana State University, where he played third base. Derek later signed with the Chicago Cubs organization and spent time in professional baseball.
The brothers’ connection to collegiate baseball adds another layer to Drew Helenihi’s athletic background. However, Drew’s own playing career remained at the college level, and there is no reliable indication that he pursued Major League Baseball or an independent professional playing career.
Drew Helenihi’s Achievements
Helenihi’s documented achievements span both baseball and academics. At Granada High School, he earned first-team all-conference recognition and maintained strong grades. At Chabot College, he produced a .340 final-season batting average, received Gold Glove recognition, and earned first-team all-conference honors.
At Northwestern State, his accomplishments included selection to the Southland Conference All-Academic team in 2011 and the All-Southland Conference Third Team in 2012. He also graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in biology.
Professionally, his progression to Senior Estimator at Walters & Wolf Interiors represents the most significant documented stage of his post-college career.
Conclusion
Drew Helenihi’s career combines three distinct chapters, California high school baseball, NCAA Division I athletics, and professional construction estimating. His baseball accomplishments at Granada High School, Chabot College, and Northwestern State established a strong athletic record, while his academic achievements culminated in a cum laude biology degree.
Since entering the construction industry, Helenihi has developed a different professional identity, working as a Senior Estimator at Walters & Wolf Interiors since 2017.
