Friday, July 24, 2015

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.

Carlos Ortiz
Concordia University
Track and Field

Hometown: Salem, Ore.
College major: Exercise and Sport Science
Year in School: Junior

Extracurricular activities: Habitat for Humanity; Chapter Peer Mentor; Small Group Bible Study; Leader FCA Member

Why did you choose to attend Concordia? I chose to attend Concordia for track and field, but also because I enjoy the small campus size as well as the Christian and community service values Concordia holds.

What is your favorite class you have taken in college and why? My favorite class has been sport psychology because it not only involves my major but directly applies to me and my competition and training.

Who is your favorite professor you've had in college and what did you enjoy about learning from him or her? My favorite professor I've had has been Joel Schuldheisz, from a motor learning class. He made this class very hands on and involved, and he was always very helpful with questions and made class overall really exciting to go to.

Years involved in SAAC: Two years. 

The reason I chose to get involved in SAAC: I first was asked to join SAAC by our SAAC adviser. I then got really interested and involved because of the voice that SAAC gives to student athletes, which is something that is very important to me. It also offers the opportunity to change things for the better and to be a part of that makes all the hard work worth it.

Future goals: My ultimate goal is to go to the Olympics for track and field. Other than that I would like to get a master’s degree in teaching and become a coach at a high school. Other options are personal training and group training. I also want to be a youth pastor. 

Favorite part of GNAC SAAC retreat in Anchorage: Our hike that we took when we crossed a river on a trolley.

What is the most important thing you've learned from balancing the demands of athletics and academics? I've learned a lot of time management and how to stay organized. Since I am involved with many things I actually enjoy being busy.

Biggest obstacle overcame during collegiate career: My biggest obstacle was my freshman indoor track and field season when I got very sick shortly after the season began. It took a lot of my fitness and conditioning away. This was hard because I had to recondition to finish my indoor season and move on into outdoor.

Best advice I’d give to an incoming freshman: Get involved with something you love to do! 

Favorite sports team: Seattle Seahawks!

Most memorable sports-related moment: 4x100m relay team when we broke our school record. It was different than just breaking an individual record because I had three other teammates that worked together to get that time.