Friday, November 20, 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: Ashlynn Burgess
Sport: Women's Basketball
Institution: Seattle Pacific University
Year: Senior
Major: Electrical Engineering
Hometown: Eagle River, Alaska

Why Did You Choose To Attend Seattle Pacific?: I chose to attend Seattle Pacific because I thought that the women’s basketball team was a great fit for me and I loved the SPU coaches and community.

What Is Your Favorite Class You Have Taken And Why?: My favorite class I've taken is either Calculus 4 at Wenatchee Valley College with p rofessor Derin Wysham, General Chemistry III at WVC with Dr. Awanthi Hewage or Data Structures with Dr. Carlos Arias at Seattle Pacific. All of these classes were extremely challenging for me and I learned a lot about myself as a student and a person.

Who Is Your Favorite Professor And What Did You Enjoy About Learning From Him Or Her?: My favorite professor in my collegiate career has been Derin Wysham at Wenatchee Valley College. He brought so much joy to the class, was passionate about the material and always had jokes to make the class laugh.

Years Involved In SAAC: Two years.

The Reason You Chose To Get Involved In SAAC: I chose to get involved in SAAC because I saw it as an opportunity to get more involved in the community and to give back to an athletic department that has given me so much.

Most Memorable SAAC Activity To Date: Volunteering at the Bridge Care Center.

How Do You Feel Participating In SAAC Will Help You In Life After You Graduate?: Being in SAAC has made me feel like I have a voice and that I’m a valuable leader. These are things that will help me in my vocation and life.

What Does It Mean To You To Be A Division II Student-Athlete?: It means being someone who strives to be my best in all areas of life.

What Is The Most Important Thing You’ve Learned About Balancing Athletics And Academics?: I've learned that you have to reserve some time for the people that you care about.

Biggest Obstacle Overcome During Your Collegiate Career: Having knee surgery.

Favorite Thing About Competing In The GNAC: The strong competition.

Most Memorable Sports-Related Moment: A memorial service for my friend and Wenatchee Valley teammate Rachel Odima.

If You Could Change One NCAA Rule, It Would Be: I would change the rule that says student-athletes can't get paid for playing their sports.

Current Mentor(s): My parents, Valerie and Mark; my brother, Zachary; my sister-in-law, Bethany; and my coaches, Mike Simonson, Katie Benson and Sasha Anderson.

Best Advice You’d Give To An Incoming Freshman: Root yourself where you're planted. Get involved in the community and don't be afraid to make strong connections. It will always be worth it.

If You Could Spend The Day With One Person (Past Or Present), Who Would It Be (And Why)?: I would spend the day with the band NEEDTOBREATHE.

Extracurricular Activities: Tutoring, SAAC and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Future Goals After Graduation: I want to work as an electrical engineer, live outside the U.S. and join a Spikeball or CrossFit club.

Favorite Sports Team: Team USA basketball.

Favorite Athlete: Kobe Bryant.

One Thing People Don’t Know About Me Is: I love hiking and any adventures that involve being outside.