Why Case????

On a roadtrip this fall, we asked the team to answer some questions about Case and our soccer program. Here are some of the responses...

Why did you choose Case?

“I wanted a smaller school where I could get an individual experience and education, but I didn’t want to sacrifice any opportunities that larger universities offer.” – Liz Altenau’09: Biomedical Engineering

“Case is the one school I applied to that had everything I wanted: a strong academic program, particularly in engineering, the opportunity to play varsity soccer, and generous financial aid.” – Alex Litofsky’12: Environmental Engineering

“I chose Case because it has a great Pre-med reputation, research job availabilities, and the exceptional hospital systems surrounding campus.” – Allysen Arblaez’10: Anthropology, Psychology, Pre-med

“I chose Case for its academics and joint-music program. I’m able to continue my music career and play soccer while making the most of the University’s resources and opportunities.” – Frances Hogan’11: Music, International Studies

“For its academics. It had the major I was looking for. It was in a big enough city and I wanted to play soccer.” – Jackie Guttman’12: Engineering

What sets Case apart from other schools?

“Case has a really strong pre-med program and a lot of resources near campus and within the community (Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals) that are great for undergraduates to gain good experience. It’s a very solid research university.” – Jen Soo Hoo’10: Psychology, Pre-med

“Case has the right balance between exceptional science programs and other disciplines. It has a good reputation and a steady balance between hard work and focus and having fun. Many schools lack that balance.” – Alex Litofsky’12: Environmental Engineering

“Everyone at Case is extremely hard-working. It inspires you to work hard, which ends up happening in all aspects of your life.” – Allysen Arblaez’10: Anthropology, Psychology, Pre-med

“Case is the kind of school where you meet a lot of totally different people from completely different places. It’s not the school you go to and already know twenty kids from your high school.”– Anna Selser’12: Biomedical Engineering

“A lot of people’s college experiences are all about partying and going crazy, but at Case you learn responsibility. You grow up and learn to manage school, sports, and a social life.” – Kaitlyn Yule’10: Nursing

How important is soccer to your Case experience?

“Very. I couldn’t imagine going to school and not playing soccer. It gives me something to work for.” – Katie Fromwiller’10: Computer Engineering

“Soccer is really important to my experience. Ultimately I am here for the academics, but soccer provides an outlet for me and is where I spend most of my time. My closest friends are on the team.” – Laura Gabster’12: Pre-med

“It’s vital - It’s how I found my best friends. It gives me something to look forward to each day. It has become such a huge part of my life that I can’t imagine giving it up.” – Annie Altenau’11: Nursing

What do you feel are the strongest features of our soccer program?

“I think the strongest feature of our program is the people in it. Everybody wants to be here and really cares about improving, so they put forth their best efforts.” – Stephanie Chinchen’11: Biology

“The understanding, respect and communication among the players and coaches, combined with our hard work and unity build a competitive spirit and desire to improve and to win.” Caitlin Miller’09: Biomedical Engineering

“The closeness of the girls and the friendships off the field strengthen the team. The coaches push us to work hard and the players demand and expect the best from each other. It makes everyone get better.” – Ana Arruda’11: Dentistry

“I think the coaching staff is great not only on the field, but off it. Someone is always available to talk about concerns. There’s also a lot of leadership on the field, not just from captains but from every single player. Everyone builds each other up and offers advice so we improve as individuals and as a team.” – Anna Selser’12: Engineering

“I think our girls are our strongest feature. The dedication and heart they put into it makes unlike any other program.” – Kaitlyn Yule’10: Nursing

What words that best describe the Case soccer program and its goals?

Competitive, hard- working and improving. – Kristina Vaci’12: Biomedical Engineering, Pre-Med

Determination, hard work, respect. – Caitlin Miller’09: Biomedical Engineering

Hard work, fun, commitment. – Amy Baumann’11: Biochemistry, Pre-Med

Competitive, hard-working, supportive. – Sammy Sarrett’12: Biomedical Engineering

What were your main concerns, both academic and athletic, as you arrived at Case?

“I thought it would be hard to find time for everything, but with good time management it’s really not bad at all. I get homework done in between classes and when I have free time, so that when it’s time for practice, I can focus only on soccer.” Kristina Vaci’12: Biomedical Engineering, Pre-med

“I was nervous about the work load, being away from my friends and family, and being on my own for the first time.” – Annie Altenau’11: Nursing

“I was worried about how prepared I was for both the season and the academics at Case. I was also worried about managing my course load with soccer.” – Laura Gabster’12: Pre-med

“I was concerned about handling the academics while playing soccer, but by staying on top of my work it’s not been as hard as I thought.” – Megan Link’11: Nursing

How big of a challenge is it to be a varsity athlete AND a strong student?

“It’s harder than not being a varsity athlete, but most students at Case get involved in a lot of things. You just have to manage your time well. Athletics shouldn’t have a negative effect on your academics if you work hard and make smart decisions with your time.” – Stephanie Chinchen’11: Biology

“It’s a pretty big challenge, but it helps keep your priorities straight.” – Anna Kennedy’12 – Engineering

“It is definitely harder academically during season, but you’re used to it. Most of these girls have been balancing school and athletics their entire lives. You find a way that works for you.” – Kaitlyn Yule’10: Nursing

“It’s difficult, but far from impossible. It requires good time management skills and focus.” – Frances Hogan’11: Music, International Studies

“It’s a great balance, and one pushes you to be better at the other.” – Ana Arruda’11: Dentistry

“It is challenging to play a sport and balance school work, but all the girls on the team are very supportive. Staying organized and managing your free time are the keys to success.” – Kirsten McClain’09 - Anthropology

How do you keep the balance among soccer, academics and other activities?

“I take things one at a time. Every challenge is a new lesson and a way to better myself.” – Rebecca Vaughan’12: Biomedical Engineering, Pre-med

“I just plan it all out. I write down all practices and other meetings on a calendar and do my homework around that. Time management is key.” – Stephanie Chinchen’11: Biology

“Stay calm, and understand that although it takes a lot of work and effort, it’s all doable. Just know what is most important, and do one thing at a time.” – Ana Arruda’11: Dentistry

“I kept my balance by always staying on top of my classes and being sure to seek help outside class from teammates or professors if I got behind.” – Kirsten McClain’09 - Anthropology

Visions of Champions???

Despite the rain and the raised stress and anxiety levels on campus (it is finals time), I'm feeling pretty calm and optimistic. I spent the weekend in Raleigh, North Carolina watching and identifying possible future Case women's soccer players. Our university and women's soccer program has generated a great deal of interest amongst talented high school student-athletes, rightfully so. Yet, that's not what has me feeling the most optimistic. Adding players to our program is very important, but it's even more critical what our current team members are contributing.

On my journey in to the office, I was reminded why I have so much faith in our current group. I drove past 2 of our players out for a run in the less than ideal weather and found 2 more stretching on the indoor track after a run and a lift. It reminds me of a story that Anson Dorrance (UNC coach, 2008 National Champions, 19th National Championship overall) tells regularly about Mia Hamm. She was the most prolific player on the North Carolina team (and in UNC history) and could have easily survived on her natural talent. However, Mia Hamm wanted to be her absolute best and made a committment to the pursuit of it. Anson recalls driving into work early one morning, passing a soccer field and seeing a girl, all alone, running sprints repeatedly. He was inspired to leave a note in the locker of that girl, Mia Hamm. His note read "The vision of a champion is bent over, drenched in sweat, at the point of exhaustion, when nobody else is looking." It's that committment, that desire, that discipline to do the work for one's goals when no one is there watching that will move our program forward, will make us better than we have been, and will create more memorable experiences for everyone.

Imagine the possibilities if we all gave that effort.

Holiday Party

Last night, we officially wrapped up the 2008 season with our Holiday Party. I hope it was a welcome break from the stress of school at this time of year for our student-athletes (by the way, our team GPA of 3.3 earned us another NSCAA Team Academic Award) . It's the last week of classes for most of the team, but also finals week for several.

We met in the Veale Center in the Multi-Purpose Room, after watching some great Case performers that were using the facility. We ate pasta from Mama Santas (Little Italy) and caught up with each other before getting to the main event...the entertainment. This year's freshmen were OUTSTANDING, performing an Oprah inspired skit that good-naturedly poked fun at nearly everyone in the program. It was clever and a great improvement over their synchronized swimming routine in preseason (it was a flop!). The sophomores had to provide entertainment again this year thanks to their lackluster performance last year. While they did not match their award-winning synchronized swimming routine, it was a drastic improvement over last year. The matching outfits and entire group dance was entertaining to most!

We also honored our seniors with gifts from the team and awarded our first-ever Spartan Award to the very deserving, Caitlin Miller. She was chosen by her teammates and coaching staff as an outstanding teammate, one that inspires and truly represents what our program is all about. The coaches also racked up some great gifts from the team (I'm especially excited about getting another pair of lucky shoes for next fall!).

We also did a gift exchange of our favorite things. Their were some great battles over several of the items, the Nerf gun, basketball hoop, and various pairs of socks and gloves. The deals of Black Friday led to an unbelievable gift exchange. It's amazing what some people were able to find with only $10 to spend!!

Another season and semester has come to an end. It's amazing how fast the fall goes. I'm very proud of this group and honored to be a part of our program. They have amazing things in their futures, as a team and as individuals. I'm very excited about the experiences that lie ahead!

Welcome!!

I've been spending some time lately checking out blogs on the internet, and it seems like the thing to do nowadays. So, why not have a blog about our women's soccer program at Case? I get asked a lot of the same questions about our program, our team, and our university. So, I'm hoping this will be a great resource for information as well as a great place to keep updated on the team and the energy they are bringing to making our program better and better by the day.

At the end of the day, our program is about the people (the student-athletes, the coaches, the support staff, the fans), that's what makes us special and makes the experience memorable and worthwhile. This will hopefully be about and for those people. I hope you enjoy!