As part of the first ever Division III Week, Macalester Athletics is featuring student-athlete profiles to highlight the unique experiences of Macalester student-athletes. Each day a different attribute of the Division III identity will be featured with student-athletes who exemplify those characteristics. All student-athletes profiled were nominated by their coaches and peers to represent these attributes.
The Division III identity campaign defines what Division III stands for based on six attributes. The attribute in the spotlight for Thursday, April 12, 2012, is
Responsibility. The campaign defines it as follows:
Responsibility- development of accountability through personal commitment and choices.
Today's profile student-athletes who represent passion are
Reid Usedom (Sr., Asheville, N.C. / A.C. Reynolds) and
Amanda Knopf (Sr., Boulder, Colo. / Boulder). Please take some time to learn more about these outstanding Macalester student-athletes and their experiences at Macalester.
Other student-athletes who were nominated to represent responsibility are as follows:
Anna Schmitz - Women's Cross Country, Track and Field
Renee Jordan - Women's Swimming and Diving
Mattie Hill - Volleyball
Men's Soccer
Senior - Asheville, N.C. / A.C. Reynolds
Assistant Men's Soccer Coach Carson Gorecki: "Reid is the ideal role-model. He was a leader on the team for four years and shouldered his responsibility with dedication and resiliency. Older and younger players are always looking to him for direction. Without a doubt, Reid is an exceptional representation of the values of our program and school."
Campus organizations and leadership roles: Captain of the soccer team, polar bear plunger, Lose the Shoes participant, 6 years working as a camp counselor for adults with cognitive disabilities.
Study Abroad and Internship experience: Studied abroad in Dunedin, New Zealand, interned as a research assistant in the University of Wisconsin Medical Center, Orange Grove Habilitation Center, and at the Como Park Zoo.
What is your greatest memory so far of being a student-athlete at Macalester?
My greatest memory as a student athlete was ending the MIAC on a six-game winning streak sophomore year ending with a tournament championship
Why did you choose to compete at the Division III level?
It wasn't so much a choice for Division III as it was a choice for Macalester. It was exactly the type of school I was looking for and provided a high level of competition as well as a high level of academia.
How has being a student-athlete at Macalester helped you grow as an individual?
Being a student athlete has taught me the most about being a member of a team which is more like a family. You have to stick together through the good and the bad times. It has also shown me that hard work and positivity are contagious attributes that go a long way in moving a team towards a common goal.
How would you define your role on and off the playing field and why was it important to your team's success?
I think I was helpful to my team through consistent effort and determination. I like to think that day in and day out my team knew that I would be giving everything I had for them that day, no matter what the circumstances.
How did you learn to balance the responsibilities of being a leader on your team while also maintaining balance as a Macalester student?
Balancing school work is always a challenge, regardless of what your extracurricular activities are. I learned a lot about efficient time management pretty early. The team was great in that we all hold each other accountable for academics and don't find
academic failure acceptable. Also, coach Barker was pretty good about making sure we knew he was an available resource whenever things were piling up too high.
Amanda Knopf
Softball
Senior- Boulder, Colo. / Boulder
Campus organizations and leadership roles: Fellowship of Christian Athletes, SAAC softball representative
Volunteer/Community involvement: As a team we volunteered with Salvation Army and Feed My Starving Children this year.
Study abroad/internship experience: Last summer I was an Editorial Intern at SKI Magazine in Boulder, Colorado.
Head Softball Coach Jody Gabriel says: "Amanda is a fantastic example of a highly responsible student-athlete. Amanda takes her commitment to both her team and her academics very seriously and always gives 100 percent on the field and in the classroom. She leads by example and has tremendous pride in her accomplishments in sport and the institution she represents."
What is your greatest memory so far of being a student-athlete at Macalester?
I have a couple. First, throwing a perfect game in Florida my freshman year with the "Amanda Battery". Also this year in Florida, getting the game-winning, fifth hit in a row in the bottom of the 7th to beat Ripon, who was ranked last year. Also the fact that my best friend and high school catcher (
Katie Fuller) got to be my catcher in college too!
Why did you choose to compete at the Division III level?
I have wanted to play college softball ever since I was little. As I started looking into colleges, I knew I wanted to go to a small, private school where I could play softball competitively but also get a great education. I chose to play Division III because I knew I would be challenged both in the classroom and on the field, and that I would grow as a scholar and as an athlete.
How has being a student-athlete at Macalester helped you grow as an individual?
I have learned countless lessons on the field that apply both in the classroom and to my life in general - leadership, teamwork, work ethic, time management, and dedication. I have also been lucky enough to build relationships with incredible teammates - from all over the country - that I know will last beyond my years at Macalester.
How would you define your role on and off the playing field and why was it important to your team's success?
As our team's only senior, I have a leadership role just by virtue of being the "grandma." In practice and in the weight room I would say I am our team's quiet leader, setting an example through my commitment and hard work, and this translates when I am on the field as well. Having a solid force on the mound is important to our team's success especially because we are so young. I hope to push those around me to leave everything on the field and be the best they can be, but also be the calming presence when we need it.
How did you learn to balance the responsibilities of being a leader on your team while also maintaining balance as a Macalester student?
I have definitely learned to manage my time well. But I think the most important thing I have learned is that the school work will get done, no matter how stressed I may be about it. Also, playing softball or working out is definitely a stress reliever, and helps me focus on work better when I am done. So I've learned to not let my mind stray to all the work or studying I may have to do after practice or a game, but just focus on playing the game I love to the best of my ability, every pitch. Then I am better able to focus on school when I'm done, knowing that I gave all I had on the field. This is an important attitude to have as a team leader because everyone has a ton of work all the time, but when we are on the field I want us to be fully dedicated to each other.
