Monday, June 27, 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: Leah Ingold
Sport: Rugby
School: Central Washington
Year: Freshman
Major: Law & Justice
Hometown: Kent, Wash.

Extracurricular activities: SAAC, Fellowship of Christian Athletes

Why did you choose to attend Central Washington? For the exceptional law and justice program, for the rugby team, because it was close to home and because I had many friends who chose to attend here.

What is your favorite class you have taken in college and why? Personal Financing. The class teaches a lot about life after college and how it would fit us best to pay attention to our financing.

Who is your favorite professor you've had in college and what did you enjoy about learning from him or her? Professor (Andrew) Waldum. He is very passionate about his class, which in return makes me excited to learn.

Years involved in SAAC: One. 

The reason I chose to get involved in SAAC: SAAC gives me an oppurtunity to get involved with CWU. I also get a chance to represent the rugby team.

Most memorable SAAC activity: We had the opportunity to visit an elementary school a few blocks from CWU. Seeing the children's faces and how excited they were to see us really brightened my week.

What is the most important thing you've learned from balancing the demands of athletics and academics? Always try and fit some personal time in between the two. If you're constantly only doing your sport then your school work, you will get burned out easily from both very quickly.

Future goals after school: Enroll at St. John's University or John Jay College's graduate school for criminal justice, then join the NYPD.

Biggest obstacle overcame during collegiate career: Attempting to stop worrying over money and debt.

Best advice I’d give to an incoming freshman: Give 100 percent in every class. Even your general ed courses count towards graduating.

If I could spend the day with one person (past or present), who would it be (and why)? My Grandmother, Jheri. I didn't get the chance to say goodbye before she died.

Favorite sports team: New Zealand All Blacks Rugby Team.

Favorite athlete: Sonny Bill Williams.

Most memorable sports-related moment: Playing on the USA U-18 rugby team. I started and scored. It was a great feeling.

One thing that people don't know about me is: I have dual citizenship in the United States of America and Belgium.