Wednesday, July 20, 2016
Part of a regular series.
Throughout the year, GNACsports.com uses this space to profile conference student-athletes who are members of their respective institutions' Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). In addition to providing feedback on the student-athlete experience, conference and institutional SAAC members also offer input on the rules, regulations and policies that affect student-athletes' lives on NCAA member institution campuses. Click here for more information on the function of SAAC at the NCAA level.
Name: Kendra Goodman
Sport: Softball
School: Simon Fraser
Year: Junior
Major: Health Sciences & Kinesiology
Hometown: Langley, B.C.
Extracurricular activities: Snowboarding, Coaching, Hiking, SAAC
Why did you choose to attend Simon Fraser?: I wanted to play in the NCAA and attend a school with high academic standing.
What is your favorite class you have taken in college and why?: HSCI 304 - Environmental Health because I am very interested in that field and the professor was hilarious.
Who is your favorite professor you've had in college and what did you enjoy about learning from him or her?: Ryan Allen, who taught the HSCI 304 class. He was super enthusiastic which kept the class interesting even at 8:30 in the morning.
Years involved in SAAC: Two.
The reason I chose to get involved in SAAC: I wanted to be more involved with the school. Since I am apart of the athletics program, I like the idea of having a say in what's going on and the being apart of the festivities that SAAC puts on.
Most memorable SAAC activity: Winter Gala.
What is the most important thing you've learned from balancing the demands of athletics and academics?: I've learned tons of things while being a student-athlete, but probably the most important thing I've learned is handling pressure. In both academics and athletics the pressure can be overwhelming, but being a student-athlete I've learned to stay calm and take everything one step at a time.
What does it mean to be a Division II student-athlete?: To be a Division II student-athlete, to me, means learning to find balance, capitalizing on all opportunities and giving all you got while representing your school.
Current mentor(s): My parents.
Future goals after school: I'm thinking a career involving sports medicine and/or public health. I'm not 100 percent sure at the moment but I'm hoping to sort that out soon. I'd also like to coach a softball team.
Biggest obstacle overcame during collegiate career: Definitely balancing and handling the student side of being a student-athlete. It's tough, but you have to remember that you are here for an education. Your sport is a bonus.
Best advice I’d give to an incoming freshman: Don't be afraid to ask for help! There are tutors and a lot of people that want you to succeed. Also, try not to be so stressed and enjoy the experience. So many people would kill to be given the opportunities you are getting.
If I could spend the day with one person (past or present), who would it be (and why)?: My grandparents. I lost them all fairly young and I'd like to tell them what I've accomplished and to know that they are always looking out for me.
Favorite athlete: Michael Jordan
Most memorable sports-related moment: My first collegiate hit.
One thing that people don't know about me is: I want to travel to world. Very cliche, but after I finish my degree I plan to take at least a year to just travel and work in different parts of the world.