Friday, November 5, 2021

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: Lainey Lioi
Sport: Women’s Swimming
Institution: University of Alaska Fairbanks
Year: Sophomore
Major: Biology
Hometown: Buford, Georgia

Why Did You Choose To Attend Alaska?: I chose UAF because of the amazing opportunities available both in and out of the water. UAF is home to groundbreaking research that I wanted to be a part of as an undergraduate student, along with the strong academic reputation of the school. From an athletic standpoint, the strong team chemistry and wonderful coaching staff made me feel right at home the moment I stepped on campus.

What Is Your Favorite College Class And Why?: Electricity and magnetism. Although the content was not my favorite, I learned a lot about myself in that class. I worked very hard every week and put in the extra work by going to office hours and making sure I understood everything. I was proud of myself for putting in the work and pulling off an A in the class.

Who Is Your Favorite Professor?: Amy Cooper. I took Professor Cooper's financial accounting and managerial accounting classes last year. She has a gift of being able to teach such foreign concepts and present it in a way that is tangible to her students. In addition, she truly cares about all of her students as she was very interested to get to know them all on a personal level.

How Many Years Have You Been Involved In SAAC?: One.

Why Did You Choose To Get Involved With SAAC?: I chose to get involved in order to be a voice for the swim team.

How Do You Feel Participating In SAAC Will Help You After You Graduate?: I think that SAAC helps cultivate a positive relationship between athletes from various different sports and backgrounds. By understanding and getting to know athletes from diverse backgrounds, I will be able to better communicate and work alongside people that are significantly different from myself.

What Have You Learned From Needing To Balance Athletics And Academics?: Time management is the key to success. There is enough time in the day to get everything done if you appropriately manage your time and prioritize what you need done. By being able to successfully do this thus far, I believe I am able to better hold myself accountable and will be more successful after college.

What Is The Biggest Obstacle You Have Overcome During Your Collegiate Career?: My freshman year of college. I was a freshman during the 2020-2021 school year. I moved to Alaska from Georgia all by myself barely knowing anyone. With the COVID restrictions, it was hard to meet people and even harder to be so far away from my family.

Who Is Your Current Mentor?: My parents.

What Are Your Future Goals After Graduating?: My current goal is to attend medical school after graduation and become a doctor.

What Advice Would You Have For An Incoming Freshman?: It’s ok to ask for help from people.

What’s Your Favorite Thing About Being Part Of The GNAC?: The amazing sportsmanship that each team exhibits at competitions.

If You Could Spend The Day With One Person, Who Would It Be?: My sister because we live very far apart now and are unable to see each other very often.

Favorite Sports Team: Atlanta Braves.

Favorite Athlete: [Team USA Olympic swimmer] Regan Smith.

What’s Something People Don’t Know About You?: I enjoy baking pumpkin bread and banana bread.