Friday, March 22, 2019

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: Ali Nelke
Sport: Women’s Basketball
School: Western Oregon University
Year: Senior
Major: Business
Hometown: Albany, Oregon

Extracurricular Activities: Reading, tutoring, and meal prepping.

Why Did You Choose To Attend Western Oregon: I chose to attend Western Oregon because I loved the class sizes, I admired the beautiful campus, it’s close to my family and I respected how Coach Holli Howard-Carpenter wanted to guide the women’s basketball team.

What Is Your Favorite Class You Have Taken In College And Why: Auditing was my favorite class because it’s exactly what I want to do going forward! Western Oregon offers an applied auditing class where we got to learn the theory and then also go through an entire audit. I realized I do really love accounting like such a nerd.

Who Is Your Favorite Professor You've Had In College And What Did You Enjoy About Learning From Him Or Her: Anna Mahony was my tax and auditing professor, as well as my advisor. She makes accounting fun, even for the people who don’t love it. She is clear and to the point but knows how to provide helpful assignments to benefit our learning. She is approachable, friendly, and super supportive of athletes. I am so grateful for her in my life. 

Years Involved In SAAC: This is my first year.

The Reason You Chose To Get Involved In SAAC: I wanted to help advocate for student-athletes.

Most Memorable SAAC Activity: Every year our SAAC puts on the “Wolfies,” which are such an amazing chance to see all of the athletes’ accomplishments that year!

What Is The Most Important Thing You’ve Learned Form Balancing The Demands Of Athletics And Academics:  Have a planner that’s erasable (because things change all of the time), use the planner and commit to eight hours of continuous sleep per day.

What Does It Mean To Be A Division II Student-Athlete: I get the best of both worlds. I get to continue playing the sport I love, but I also get a personalized education.

Current Mentor(s): Jasmine Miller (former teammate and current WOU Graduate Assistant).

Future Goals: Become a CPA and maybe a professor one day.

Biggest Obstacle Overcome During Collegiate Career: Shoulder surgery between my sophomore and junior year.

Best Advice You’d Give To An Incoming Freshman: Be present. Enjoy the time you have now with your dorm mates and teammates. And drink lots of water to stay hydrated for practices and get SLEEP!!

Favorite Sports Team: Western Oregon Wolves! 

Most Memorable Sports-Related Moment: Making the tying bucket to go into overtime at the buzzer against the No. 3 ranked team in our conference on my birthday.

One Thing That People Don’t Know About Me: I have a gray streak of hair on my head that is completely natural.