Friday, September 4, 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: Taylor Overn
Sport: Volleyball
Institution: University of Alaska Fairbanks
Year: Sophomore
Major: Biology
Hometown: Portland, Oregon

Why Did You Choose To Attend Alaska?: I love the team dynamic and I wanted to experience The Last Frontier.

What Is Your Favorite Class You Have Taken And Why?: My favorite class I have taken so far is anatomy and physiology because I loved the hands-on learning that will serve me for a lifetime.

Who Is Your Favorite Professor And What Did You Enjoy About Learning From Him Or Her?: Denise Kind is my favorite professor because she is very understanding of student-athletes who are traveling. Even when I missed classes, she made sure to provide me with engaging material so I was staying at the same pace as my classmates.

Years Involved In SAAC: Three years.

The Reason You Chose To Get Involved In SAAC: I wanted to establish myself as a leader and make an impact on Nanook athletics.

Most Memorable SAAC Activity To Date: The Nanook Olympics.

How Do You Feel Participating In SAAC Will Help You In Life After You Graduate?: Participating in SAAC will help me take initiative as a leader in future jobs. It has helped me a lot with knowing how to organize large groups of people.

What Does It Mean To You To Be A Division II Student-Athlete?: Being a Division II student-athlete means that there are chances to be equally involved in both athletics and academics while also having time to enjoy things outside of campus life such as camping or skiing.

What Is The Most Important Thing You’ve Learned About Balancing Athletics And Academics?: I’ve learned to have better time management. Motivation is hard to come by at times, so I really had to tune into myself and get things done before fatigue settled in.

Biggest Obstacle Overcome During Your Collegiate Career: The biggest obstacles I have overcome during my collegiate career are the various injuries that have kept me from playing. I always have to keep battling for some playing time.

Favorite Thing About Competing In The GNAC: I get to be close to home.

Most Memorable Sports-Related Moment: It’s sad, but I don’t really remember what happens in games because there is just too much adrenaline.

If You Could Change One NCAA Rule, It Would Be: To be able to use CBD oils for medical purposes.

Current Mentor(s): My parents, Brian Scott, Meagan Woods and various athletic and academic advisors.

Best Advice You’d Give To An Incoming Freshman: Enjoy every second of your freshman year and take every opportunity to grow.

If You Could Spend The Day With One Person (Past Or Present), Who Would It Be (And Why)?: I would spend the day with Alexander Hamilton so I can get all the details on the drama between our forefathers.

Extracurricular Activities: Snowboarding, backpacking, cycling and climbing.

Future Goals After Graduation: I want to become a cardiac nurse practitioner.

Favorite Sports Team: Green Bay Packers.

Favorite Athlete: Misty May-Treanor.

One Thing People Don’t Know About You Is: I love being in stormy weather.