2008 DAYTON BASEBALL QUICK FACTS 2008 DAYTON BASEBALL

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1 2 THIS IS FLYER BASEBALL Quick Facts/Table of Contents... 2 Greeting from Coach Vittorio... 3 This is Flyer Baseball... 4 Time Warner Cable Stadium Opponent Map... 8 UD Athletics, A Championship Tradition First Class Academics A Beautiful Campus Fantastic Facilities Welcome to Dayton Student-Athlete Testimonial MEET THE PLAYERS Roster Radio/TV Roster Alex Dye Lucas Farden Shawn Gizynski Kevin Miller Ryan Hill Chris Beesley, Matt Benton, Jonathan Castine Scott Dunwoody, Sean Finn, Quinn Haselhorst Stephan Konsler, Justin McManus, Max Navalinski Jimmy Roesinger, Bobby Simmons, Matt Speckman Myles Swartzel, Cole Tyrell Willy Balbach, Tim Corbey Mike Coughlin, Jake Hoover Zach Lammers, Tim Lynn Marshall MacDonald, Burny Mitchem Ryan Nevill, Aaron Pfeffenberger Jacob Spaeth, Eric Wagner MEET THE COACHES Tony Vittorio Q&A with Coach Vittorio Todd Linklater Brian Harrison Terry Bell Kaname Yamaguchi Bill Thomas YEAR IN REVIEW A Look Back at Statistics Results FLYER HISTORY Team Records Career Records Single-Season Records Year-by-Year Results UNIVERSITY Administration Academics Compliance Strength & Conditioning Sports Medicine Atlantic 10 Conference TIME WARNER CABLE STADIUM TWC Stadium Guide Visiting Dayton Media Information The 2008 University of Dayton Softball Media Guide is a publication of the University of Dayton Athletics Communication Office. Written and edited by Bill Thomas. Produced by Jenny Storer. Editorial assistance by Katie Holland, Seth Iiames, Michael Mowry, Connor Mazza, Renee Adam, Michael LaPlaca, Matt Faig, Colleen Douglass, Emily Topp and Stephen Malone. Photos Courtesy of Erik Schelkun (Elsestar Images), Tim Boone (Avalon Communications), Larry Burgess, and Lauren Tomasella (UD Public Relations), John Moreau (UD), Brian Ream, Leon Chuck, UD Archives, Ron Alvey (Dayton Daily News), Jim Witmer (Dayton Daily News), Brett Hansbaure, Norvelle Kennedy, Michael LaPlaca, Seth Iiames, Keith Currie, David Jackson, John Plassenthal, Tim Zechar, City of Dayton Convention and Visitors Bureau, Dayton Dragons Professional Baseball Team, The Greene, Oakland A s and the Atlantic 10 Conference. Layout and Design by Ze Design of Centerville, Ohio (Rep: Jill Mantia). Printed by Post Printing of Minster, Ohio (Rep: Nick Rentz). QUICK FACTS THE UNIVERSITY Founded Enrollment...6,900 Affilliation... Roman Catholic (Marianist) Colors... Red (PMS 200) & Blue (PMS 288) Conference... Atlantic 10 President... Dr. Daniel J. Curran Vice President/Director of Athletics...Ted Kissell Associate Vice President for Athletics...Tim Wabler Associate Athletics Director/Baseball Administrator... Mike Kelly Associate Athletics Director/Director of Performance Enhancement... Joe Owens Associate Athletics Director... James Brothers Assistant Athletics Director/SWA... Dawn Mamula Assistant Athletics Director...Ken Keck Academic Coordinator...Vera Gomes Academic Coordinator... Beth Flach Academic Assistant...Katie Scanlon Faculty Athletics Representative...Dr. Michael O Hare ATHLETICS COMMUNICATION Director of Media Relations/SID... Doug Hauschild Assistant Director of Athletics Communication/Publications Coordinator...Jenny Storer Director of Multimedia...Michael LaPlaca Assistant Director of Athletics Communication/Baseball Contact... Bill Thomas ...William.Thomas@notes.udayton.edu Office... (937) Cell... (513) Fax... (937) SPORTS MEDICINE Head Athletics Trainer...Steve Foster, ATC, LAT Associate Head Athletics Trainer... Nate Seymour, ATC, LAT Athletics Trainer...Sara Thomas, ATC, LAT Athletics Trainer/Baseball Trainer... Kaname Yamaguchi, ATC, LAT Graduate Assistant Athletics Trainer...Jessica Stanley, ATC, LAT Graduate Assistant Athletics Trainer... Lindsay Luti, ATC, LAT Yamaguchi s Office Phone... (937) COACHING STAFF Head Coach...Tony Vittorio Alma Mater / Year... Hanover / 1988 Record at UD / Years / 8 Overall Record / Years / 15 Associate Head Coach...Todd Linklater Assistant Coach... Brian Harrison Volunteer Assistant... Terry Bell Baseball Office Phone... (937) REVIEW 2007 Overall Record Conference Record / Finish / 11th Positional Starters Returning/Lost... 3/6 Pitching Starters Returning/Lost... 6/4 Positional Players Returning/Lost... 11/19 Pitchers Returning/Lost... 8/7 BASEBALL INFORMATION Home Field / Capacity... Time Warner Cable Stadium / 2,000 Surface / Dimensions (LF-RF)... Grass / Press Box... (937) 229-BALL (2255) First Season of Baseball at UD All-Time Record / # of Seasons...1,021-1, (.453) / 102 Winning Seasons...33 Program Record for Wins / Season / 2005 All-Time Atlantic 10 Conference Record / # of Seasons / 12 Atlantic 10 Tournament Appearances... 4 (2001, 2002, 2005, 2006)

2 WELCOME TO FLYER BASEBALL Welcome to Flyer Baseball. As the head coach at the University of Dayton, I have seen the Flyers grow into one of the top teams in the Atlantic 10 Conference and I expect to see that growth continue throughout the 2008 season. The 2008 edition of Flyer baseball is poised to return to the Atlantic 10 Tournament. Our players and coaches have dedicated themselves to not only returning to the A-10 Tournament in Camden, NJ this May, but making a run at an NCAA Regional. We compete in the largest baseball conference in the nation, the 14-team Atlantic 10 Conference. Our conference continues to improve each and every year. The A-10 is a scrappy, competitive conference that once again will go down to the final weekend of the season as we take on some of our most competitive conference rivals this season in Xavier, Rhode Island, St. Bonaventure, George Washington and Richmond. Our non-conference schedule is filled with teams that we hope to meet in an NCAA Regional. UD will face such teams as Bradley, Cincinnati, Eastern Kentucky and Miami (Ohio). Facing that level of competition will force us to make a commitment to compete each and every time we step onto the field and that should help to prepare us for another trip through the Atlantic 10 Conference schedule. Time Warner Cable Stadium enters its fourth full season as the home of Flyer baseball and has been heralded by those in the collegiate baseball community as one of the best in the Midwest. The addition of this $4 million facility has been one of the biggest shots in the arm to our program since I arrived on campus for the 2000 season. At the University of Dayton, our players have the tools to succeed on the field, in the classroom and in the community. Not only does the field help out players, but it has become the Gateway to Dayton from the south according to our mayor, Rhine McLin. The stadium s location along Interstate 75 is highly visible to commuters who often stop by to take part in games at the stadium which includes covered chair back seating, a press box and a luxury suite as well as an indoor hitting/pitching facility. Our support from the community makes UD a unique place to compete because of a great atmosphere that improves each and every season. Everyone in the Dayton baseball program is looking forward to your support throughout the 2008 season. We invite you to join us for a game at Time Warner Cable Stadium or follow us online at which is filled with stats, box scores, game recaps and information on all of our players as well as live stats and audio of many games this season. We ask that you join us in our quest to win the Atlantic 10 Championship. See you at the ballpark, THIS IS FLYER BASEBALL THE PLAYERS THE COACHES 2007 IN REVIEW FLYER HISTORY THE UNIVERSITY TIME WARNER CABLE STADIUM Tony Vittorio Head Coach University of Dayton 3

3 FLYER BASEBALL A Century of Tradition 4

4 Five Draft Picks Since 2002 THIS IS FLYER BASEBALL THE PLAYERS THE COACHES 2007 IN REVIEW FLYER HISTORY THE UNIVERSITY TIME WARNER CABLE STADIUM Four Atlantic 10 Tournament Berths 5

5 Time Warner Cable Stadium Beginning with 2004 season, Time Warner Cable Stadium has been home to Dayton baseball and is among the best baseball facilities in the Midwest because of the support of Time Warner Cable. We are pleased that our partnership with Time Warner Cable has given us the ability to build an exceptional baseball facility, said VP and Director of Athletics Ted Kissell. Their generosity benefits our student-athletes, our fans and our entire community. We know first-class facilities provide a competitive advantage and the Time Warner Cable Stadium will be the premier facility in the Atlantic 10 Conference. Dayton began play at the field in 2004 and won 11 games at their new home next to UD Arena along I-75. Construction was completed on the complex before the 2005 season and Time Warner Cable Stadium was dedicated on May 7, The Flyers finished with an 18-4 record at TWC Stadium that season. Your recruiting tools used to be ranked as the University, scholarship dollars and your facilities, Head Coach Tony Vittorio said. This day and age young people are so visual. Now they go away from the University with what they see instead of what they hear. What they see at UD is an outstanding baseball facility from right field to left field and from the parking lot to the stadium. Flyer Faithful will benefit from a $4 million facility complete with a press box, covered chair back seating behind home plate, concessions and restrooms. It is very humbling for our baseball team to have one of the best facilities in the Midwest as well as the best facility in the Atlantic 10, Vittorio said. The great thing about it is that our players were able to see it go up from the ground level. You could see in their eyes the amount of pride that they have in the facility. The team also takes advantage of an indoor hitting/pitching facility with team rooms located along the right field line that can be used throughout the year. The most important thing about this facility is that it allows our players the ability to develop at a greater pace, Vittorio said. Player development is the core of our program and the key to our success. 6

6 Time Warner Cable Stadium was named the favorite road stadium to visit according to CollegeInsider.com THIS IS FLYER BASEBALL THE PLAYERS THE COACHES 2007 IN REVIEW FLYER HISTORY THE UNIVERSITY TIME WARNER CABLE STADIUM 7

7 OPPONENT MAP DAYTON CLASSIC TIME WARNER CABLE STADIUM Dayton hosts Eastern Michigan - Friday, March 14-2 PM Dayton hosts Valparaiso (DH) - Saturday, March 15 - Noon Dayton hosts Wright State - Sunday, March 16-2 PM APSU TOURNAMENT CLARKSVILLE, TN Dayton plays Austin Peay - Fri., Mar. 7-2:30 PM Dayton plays Bradley - Sat., Mar AM Dayton plays Austin Peay - Sun., Mar. 9-2:30 PM ATLANTIC 10 TOURNAMENT All Games at Campbell s Field - CAMDEN, TN Top Six Teams Advance to Double Elimination Tournament Wed., May 21 - Sat., May 24 HOME OPPONENTS: BOWLING GREEN BUTLER YOUNGSTOWN STATE TOLEDO Tue., Feb PM Wed., Mar. 5-2 PM Tue., Mar PM Wed., Mar PM XAVIER FINDLAY RHODE ISLAND WITTENBERG Sat., Mar PM Sun., Mar PM Mon., Mar PM Tue., Mar PM Fri., Mar PM Sat., Mar PM Sun., Mar Noon Wed., Apr. 9-4 PM SAINT JOSEPH S RICHMOND OHIO EASTERN KENTUCKY Fri., Apr PM Sat., Apr PM Sun., Apr Noon Fri., Apr PM Sat., Apr PM Sun., Apr Noon Wed., May 7-4 PM Tue., May 13-4 P DUQUESNE Thu., May 15-3 PM Fri., May 16-3 PM Sat., May 17 - Noon 8

8 AWAY OPPONENTS: CAMPBELL Fri., Feb PM (DH) Sat., Feb AM BALL STATE Wed., Apr. 2-3 PM BUTLER Wed., Apr PM HIGH POINT Fri., Feb PM Sat., Mar. 1-1 PM Sun., Mar. 2-1 PM ST. BONAVENTURE Fri., Apr. 4-3 PM Sat., Apr. 5-1 PM Sun., Apr. 6 - Noon WRIGHT STATE Wed., Apr. 30-6:30 PM TENNESSEE TECH Tue., Mar PM Wed., Mar PM BOWLING GREEN Tue., Apr. 8-3 PM MASSACHUSETTS Fri., May 2-3 PM Sat., May 3-1 PM Sun., May 4 - Noon MIAMI Wed., Mar PM GEORGE WASHINGTON Fri., Apr PM Sat., Apr PM Sun., Apr Noon TOLEDO Tue., May 6-3 PM TEMPLE Fri., May 9-3 PM Sat., May 10-1 PM Sun., May 11-1 PM THIS IS FLYER BASEBALL THE PLAYERS THE COACHES 2007 IN REVIEW FLYER HISTORY THE UNIVERSITY TIME WARNER CABLE STADIUM 9

9 UD Athletics a championship tradition JERRY BLEVINS Drafted by Chicago Cubs, 2004 MLB Debut - Oakland A s, 2007 Erin Schroeder 2006 Atlantic 10 Setter of the Year, 2007 AVCA Honorable Mention All-America, 2007 A-10 First Team Kendel Ross Member of Canadian Women s National Team 10 Mandi BÄck 2006 Atlantic 10 First Team, 2006 A-10 All-Rookie Team, 2006 A-10 All-Tournament Team, 2007 A-10 First Team, 2007 A-10 Offensive Player of the Year Mike Andersen Third at 2006 A-10 Championships, 2005 A-10 Most Outstanding Rookie Performer

10 coach Ann Alyanak Second among American women at 2007 Boston Marathon Brian Roberts 2006 & 2007 Atlantic 10 Second Team, 2008 Bob Cousy Finalist, 2008 Naismith Finalist and 2008 Wooden Award Semifinalist Chris Rolfe 2005 MLS Gatorade Rookie of the Year Finalist, Member of US National Team THIS IS FLYER BASEBALL THE PLAYERS THE COACHES 2007 IN REVIEW FLYER HISTORY THE UNIVERSITY TIME WARNER CABLE STADIUM Brandon Cramer 2006 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America First Team, 2007 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America of the Year Amy Kremer 2007 Atlantic 10 Indoor Second Team, 2006 A-10 Outdoor Champion High Jump, 2006 A-10 Indoor Most Outstanding Rookie Peformer, 2006 A-10 Indoor Champion High Jump and Heptathalon 11

11 The University of Dayton First class academics UD is full of career possibilities. UD offers more than 70 academic programs in arts and sciences, business administration, education and allied professions, engineering and law. The University provides graduate programs in Catholic theology, educational leadership, engineering, electro-optics, biology and business, among others. Latest figures show that 100 percent of Davis Center for Portfolio Management graduates are employed at graduation, 99 percent of engineering students land a job within six months of graduation or are admitted to grad school, and UD students planning on attending medical or dental schools had an 84 percent acceptance rate. UD means business and is among the most entrepreneurial campuses listed by The Princeton Review and Forbes.com. UD s undergraduate entrepreneurship program ranks fifth in the nation, according to Entrepreneur magazine. The RISE (Redefining Investment Strategy Education) Forum has brought Wall Street s brightest minds, including current Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, to campus to discuss issues facing tomorrow s leaders in the financial services industry. The audience has included 1,700 students and faculty from around the world. Students in the Davis Center for Portfolio Management manage $6 million of UD s endowment, one of the largest undergraduate funds in the nation. 12 UD is finding solutions to the world s problems. Undergraduate and graduate students have the opportunity to work closely with faculty on projects, including world-class research initiatives. The University has achieved a remarkable research record, thanks in large part to the University of Dayton Research institute. UDRI, the largest non-medical research facility on a Catholic university campus, attracted a record $70 million in sponsored research in fiscal year 2006 and ranks second in the nation in the amount of materials research performed annually, according to the National Science Foundation.

12 Fourth in Alumni Giving Among Catholic Universities UD s alumni lead lives of leadership and service - and support their alma mater. The average alumni giving rate is fourth among Catholic national universities behind Notre Dame, Georgetown and Boston College. UD distinguished alumni include: Charles Pedersen 26, Nobel Prize winner Joseph Desch 29, builder of code-breaking machine that helped bring World War II to an end Erma Bombeck 49, columnist, humor writer, chronicler of American family life Rita Rapp 50, NASA scientist, developer of space food Chuck Noll 53, holder of four Super Bowl rings as coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers Richard Finan 54, former president, Ohio State Senate Colombe Nicholas 64, Internet consultant and former CEO of Anne Klein Co. and former president and COO of Giorgio Armani Fashion Corp. Dan Patrick 79, award-winning broadcaster Bob Schaffer 84, former three-term U.S. Congressman from Colorado Jon Gruden 86, head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers THIS IS FLYER BASEBALL THE PLAYERS THE COACHES 2007 IN REVIEW FLYER HISTORY THE UNIVERSITY TIME WARNER CABLE STADIUM 13

13 a beautiful campus UD is a beautiful place, according to the American Society of Landscape Architects that tapped UD as one of the most significant campus sites in the country. Just 22 campuses made the final list. Other Centennial Medal winners included the U.S. Capitol grounds, New York s Central Park and San Francisco s Ghiradelli Square. The University UD also was named one of the top schools with the most beautiful campus in an urban setting in the 2004 edition of The Unofficial, Unbiased Guide to the 328 Most Interesting Colleges from Kaplan Publishing. 14

14 49 new acres UD is growing with the purchase of 49 acres between Brown Street and the Great Miami River that will be used for academic and mixed-use development, expanding campus and drawing new jobs to the city of Dayton. In the past four years, UD has built the $21 million Marianist Hall, a $25 million RecPlex, a $22 million science center and an $8.5 million ArtStreet with an amphitheater for on-campus performances. New development near UD Arena features a hotel and UD s baseball, softball, track and football practice facilities. rec plex science center MARIANIST HALL art street THIS IS FLYER BASEBALL THE PLAYERS THE COACHES 2007 IN REVIEW FLYER HISTORY THE UNIVERSITY TIME WARNER CABLE STADIUM 15

15 UD Athletics fantastic facilities Arena Sports Complex Baseball Softball Track & Field Football Located adjacent to the UD Arena, the state-of-the-art UD Arena Sports Complex includes the $4 million Time Warner Cable Stadium for baseball, the UD Softball Stadium, the Jerry Von Mohr Practice Field and the new Courtyard by Marriott -University of Dayton. Baujan Field Soccer The home of Flyer soccer features a state-of-the-art grass playing surface and terraced seating, to make it one of the nation s most unique soccer venues. Women s soccer annually ranks among the NCAA leaders in attendance. NCR Country Club Golf (NCR South Course) NCR s South Course has hosted the 1969 PGA Championship (won by Raymond Floyd), the 1986 U.S. Women s Open (won by Jane Geddes) and the 2005 U.S. Senior Open (won by Allen Doyle). NCR Country Club also hosts numerous local and regional PGA events and played host to the 2003 Atlantic 10 Men s Golf Championship. Frericks Center Volleyball The third-largest volleyball-only venue in the NCAA, the Frericks Center features a Sport Court surface. An extensive seating renovation and environmental graphics package was completed during the summer of The facility is named for the late Thomas J. Frericks, the Flyers longtime Director of Athletics, and was the former home of Dayton basketball. Volleyball consistently leads the Atlantic 10 in attendance and played host to the 2007 NCAA first and second rounds. Welcome Stadium Football Located adjacent to the UD Arena, the 11,000-seat Welcome Stadium features a video replay scoreboard, lights and field turf. The Flyers have won nearly 85 percent of their games at Welcome Stadium. 16 Time Warner Cable Stadium Baseball Part of the UD Arena Sports Complex, Time Warner Cable Stadium is home to UD Baseball. The stadium features covered chair-back seating, a press box, concessions and restrooms. Located down the right field line is an indoor hitting cage, which also includes locker rooms. The playing surface is a natural grass field with state-of-the-art drainage and irrigation.

16 UD Arena Basketball The crown jewel of UD s superb athletic facilities, the UD Arena is regarded as one of the nation s best college venues. A regular stop for the NCAA Tournament, UD Arena has hosted a total of 84 NCAA post season games since opening in 1969 the third most among active venues and fourth-most alltime. UD will host the 2010 NCAA Women s Regional, 2009 NCAA Men s First and Second Rounds, and the NCAA Men s Opening Round games through The Flyer men and women both led the Atlantic 10 Conference in attendance during the season. Athletic Practice Facility (APF) Flyers Indoor Practice Facility The newly renovated Athletic Practice Facility provides quality indoor practice space for the basketball, football, track & field, tennis, soccer, baseball and softball teams. The refurbished facility opened in January 2007, benefiting more than 350 Flyers student-athletes. By adding the additional practice space, UD teams gain flexibility to train and practice. The improved facilities will decrease injuries, lessen travel time for student-athletes and serve as a great recruiting tool for Dayton. It enables the Flyers to simultaneously enhance the student-athlete experience and competitive performance. THIS IS FLYER BASEBALL THE PLAYERS THE COACHES 2007 IN REVIEW FLYER HISTORY THE UNIVERSITY TIME WARNER CABLE STADIUM The Donoher Basketball Center The University of Dayton dedicated its state-of-the-art Donoher Basketball Center at the UD Arena on June 19, While the name gives away the fact it is a great asset for Flyer basketball (Don Donoher is the winningest men s basketball coach in UD history), it has also become the home for Flyer football. The Center nearly doubled the amount of space previously available for the team, and includes a spacious locker room, coaches room, training room and equipment room. As part of the cutting-edge technology included in the Center, UD utilize the cutting edge video editing equipment called Digital Sports Video. 17

17 Welcome to Dayton The Oregon District teams with historical buildings, antique shops, café s, parades, a comedy club, Ohio s largest Halloween party, picnics in the park, street vendors, musicians, and a unique Rock Climbing Gym. the oregon district the greene If you re looking for food, shopping and nightlife, The Greene has it all. Navigate the most vibrant area in Dayton filled with a wealth of attractions. dayton art institute The Dayton Art Institute is one of the nation s finest mid-sized art museums. The Dayton Art Institute is modeled after the Villa Farnese in Caprarola, Italy, and has a world-renowned collection of more than 10,000 works of art. 18

18 boonshoft museum of discovery At the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery guests can visit a live animal zoo, climb a three-story tower, conduct hands-on science experiments, search for birds from the Mead Treehouse and much more. minor league baseball and hockey Baseball fans are drawn to the beautiful Fifth/Third Field downtown, home of the minor leagues Dayton Dragons, the Class-A farm team for the Cincinnati Reds and host to the 2005 and 2007 A-10 Baseball Championships. Hockey enthusiasts support the Dayton Bombers, an East Coast Hockey League team affiliate with the Columbus Blue Jackets. THIS IS FLYER BASEBALL THE PLAYERS THE COACHES 2007 IN REVIEW FLYER HISTORY THE UNIVERSITY TIME WARNER CABLE STADIUM the united states air force museum The United States Air Force Museum, the oldest and largest military and aviation museum in the country, features a fascinating collection of both modern and old-fashioned flight apparatus. 19

19 Student-Athlete Testimonial Kiki LunD - basketball Balancing academics, basketball, and life is a challenge. Many don t realize that our commitments as basketball players go far beyond the court. Fortunately, I m able to apply many of the things I learn in the classroom to my sport and vice versa. We spend numerous hours watching film and reading scouting reports prior to games. When studying for an exam, I spend several hours reading and going through notes the principle is the same I prepare myself to perform my best. Majoring in communication, I have also learned how important it is to connect with people and express myself accurately when interacting with people. Again, this translates perfectly to the basketball court as communication plays a major role in how successful we are at executing plays and just always being on the same page. Mandy Robbe - volleyball Balancing the demands of a Division I sport with the rigors of Pre-medicine can be challenging. However, at the University of Dayton, playing volleyball and working towards becoming a physician is attainable due to the support of both the athletic department and my professors. UD creates an environment where you can be successful in multiple aspects. Different parts of the Flyer community from my coaches to my science professors work together for the success of the student as a whole. Hard work combined with the additional resources provided by the athletic department enable me to keep up with the demands of my schoolwork while still being able to be successful at volleyball. The professors at UD also understand your life as a student-athlete; they are willing to work with your schedule in ensure that you are successful. I am able to balance my career as an athlete at UD along with my aspirations to become a physician through hard work, the support of my professors, and support of everyone in the athletic department. Joe Olwig - men s soccer Over the past two years I have had the pleasure of being a student-athlete at the University of Dayton and it has truly been an incredible experience. Managing my time spent in the classroom and on the field has been a difficult task but has undoubtedly made me a stronger person. The similarity between studying with other students and training with teammates has given me an in depth understanding of how to work in a team setting which I will benefit from for a lifetime. These similarities have stretched to my interaction with coaches and professors as well. The luxury of having mentors both on and off the field has provided a diverse outlook upon life and has allowed me to grow as a person more than I ever imagined. Lauren McCormick - track and field Being a student-athlete is not the easiest job to fulfill. One thing about student-athletes that is overlooked is the fact that we are students first. Academics, in all actuality, need to be our first priority. As a first year student, this became my main focus. Though at times it is difficult, I know at the end of the day that I could not be an athlete at this school without academics first. However, the two do seem to go hand in hand. In ways, professors and coaches are alike, for they are the people teaching the skill, and observing the progress. Fellow students could be compared to teammates, as they know exactly what we go through and are there to help push and motivate us. But in both cases, we, both as students and athletes, are the only people to determine how well we do as a result. 20