Friday, September 11, 2020

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.

Name: Ashley Antoniak
Sport: Volleyball
Institution: Seattle Pacific University
Year: Sophomore
Major: Business Administration
Hometown: Litchfield Park, Arizona

Why Did You Choose To Attend Seattle Pacific?: I chose to attend Seattle Pacific because it has a tight-knit Christian community with staff members who provide endless opportunities and truly want you to succeed. I also had a great time visiting with the volleyball team and knew that this is where I’m meant to be.

What Is Your Favorite Class You Have Taken And Why?: My favorite class so far has been macroeconomics because I love seeing how people in the business field decide to do what they do to better their companies.

Who Is Your Favorite Professor And What Did You Enjoy About Learning From Him Or Her?: My favorite professor is Bill Purcell because I learned a lot from him and he always supports the volleyball team.

Years Involved In SAAC: One year.

The Reason You Chose To Get Involved In SAAC: I have a passion for giving back to the community and knew this was a great place to incorporate more community service opportunities.

How Do You Feel Participating In SAAC Will Help You In Life After You Graduate?: By being a leader on campus, participating in SAAC has forced me to step out of my comfort zone and come out of my shell more.

What Does It Mean To You To Be A Division II Student-Athlete?: I feel very honored and blessed to be a Division II student-athlete because there is a balance between academics and athletics.

What Is The Most Important Thing You’ve Learned About Balancing Athletics And Academics?: I learned that I have to stay on top of everything or else it can be really easy to fall behind.

Biggest Obstacle Overcome During Your Collegiate Career: The biggest obstacle I have overcome so far in my collegiate career is remembering all of my tasks and staying organized. It is so easy to forget things. I find it helpful to have a calendar to keep track of all of my assignments for the quarter.

Favorite Thing About Competing In The GNAC: The best part is being able to travel around the Pacific Northwest. I never thought that I would be able to go to a place like Alaska but the GNAC provides me with that unique opportunity.

Most Memorable Sports-Related Moment: My most memorable sports-related moment was winning the volleyball state championship during my senior year of high school.

Current Mentor(s): My dad, Rob Antoniak, and Cindy Price, the SPU vice president for academic affairs.

Best Advice You’d Give To An Incoming Freshman: Connect with your professors as much as you can.

If You Could Spend The Day With One Person (Past Or Present), Who Would It Be (And Why)?: I would want to spend the day with my great-grandma when she was young because she was a big women’s rights activist and was the first woman mayor in Palm Springs, California. I just know we would have a great time together.

Extracurricular Activities: I enjoy jet skiing and going to different coffee shops around Seattle with my friends.

Favorite Sports Team: Arizona Cardinals.

Favorite Athlete: Larry Fitzgerald.

One Thing People Don’t Know About You Is: I was almost attacked by a sea lion in San Diego.