Friday, February 11, 2022

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: Nils Knosala
Sport: Men’s Soccer
Institution: Northwest Nazarene University
Year: Sophomore
Major: Global Business and Management
Hometown: Kaiserslautern, Germany

Why Did You Choose To Attend NNU?: It felt like the right place to be for me! A great environment and high level of soccer.

What Is Your Favorite College Class And Why?: Intro to Business, because I had a great teacher and it was the introduction to my major.

Who Is Your Favorite Professor?: Dr. Konya Weber. She is unbelievably helpful and always replies very quickly. You can go to her with any issue you have, and she even supports us at our games!

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

What Have You Learned From Needing To Balance Athletics And Academics?: Always manage your time right. Get school stuff done early so you can focus on soccer.

What Is The Biggest Obstacle You Have Overcome During Your Collegiate Career?: The language barrier is not easy in the beginning, but it gets better pretty quickly.

What Does It Mean To You To Be A Division II Student-Athlete?: I am more than proud to be an international student-athlete and show my skills in a different country.

What Are Your Future Goals After Graduating?: Continuing to play soccer at a high level.

What Advice Would You Have For An Incoming Freshman?: Enjoy every second of your college life. The first year went by way too fast.

What’s Your Favorite Sports Memory?: Playing against Bayern Munich in Germany.

If You Could Spend The Day With One Person, Who Would It Be?: Cristiano Ronaldo

Favorite Sports Team: Borussia Dortmund

Favorite Athlete: Robert Lewandowski

What’s Something People Don’t Know About You?: I have heritage from over four countries in Europe and Asia.