Series
Student-Athlete Strong
UConn’s student-athletes are often lauded for their on-field or on-court achievements, but there’s an equally important – often unseen – dimension to the student-athlete. UConn Today’s Student-Athlete Strong series highlights the academic prowess of selected high-achieving student-athletes and provides an inside look at their lives beyond their sport.
Student-Athlete Strong: Jack McLister
Tennis player Jack McLister says the biggest challenge he faces as a student-athlete is balancing classes with the team's travel schedule.
Student-Athlete Strong: Chris Winkel
To baseball player Chris Winkel, being a Husky is 'a mindset to embrace every obstacle ahead ... and overcome it.'
Student-Athlete Strong: Zaina Zaki
This graduating women's tennis player, who tried two different majors before settling on finance, says she would advise freshmen that 'It's okay to be unsure of what you want to do for the rest of your life.'
Student-Athlete Strong: Nabeel Khan
'Being a Husky means being a part of, embracing, and carrying on the traditions of UConn Nation,' says golfer Nabeel Khan '19 (ENG).
Student-Athlete Strong: Kiera Dalmass
Honors student and statistics major Kiera Dalmass '18 (CLAS) is graduating a year early, so she can work on a master's during her final year of eligibility in women's lacrosse.
Student-Athlete Strong: Monica Marcello
This nutritional sciences major and member of the Women's Diving team sees the benefits of good nutrition for academic and athletic performance alike.
Student-Athlete Strong: Julie Hu
Hu, a member of the Women's Swim Team, brings the same drive to succeed to her actuarial studies as she does to her sport.
Student-Athlete Strong: Matthew Dagenais
'Being a Husky ... is developing yourself to succeed in anything you put your mind to,' says Dagenais, a member of the Men's Swim Team and a civil engineering major.
Student-Athlete Strong: Ashley Rich
'Nothing compares to the feeling of celebrating a season’s worth of hard work,' says student-athlete Ashley Rich, a member of the National Championship field hockey team who also maintains a GPA of above 3.9.
Student-Athlete Strong: Courtney Akerley
'It is always made clear that we are students first and athletes second,' says high-achieving student-athlete Courtney Akerley of the Women's Cross Country team.
Student-Athlete Strong: Gabby Williams
Being a Husky means 'it’s a responsibility to hold myself a certain way and represent the University with pride and class.'
Student-Athlete Strong: Mamadou Diarra
'It’s an honor to be a Husky. There’s been a ton of tradition passed down through generations, and just being able to represent this university is an amazing feeling.'
Student-Athlete Strong: Foley Fatukasi
'To me, being a Husky represents a conquering mindset to overcome any obstacle we face,' says Fatukasi.
Student-Athlete Strong: Tosin Adeniyi
'I am one of the luckiest girls to have received such an amazing education and college experience through volleyball.'
Student-Athlete Strong: Heidi Druehl
'UConn has helped shape my life by allowing me to find my real passion.'
Student-Athlete Strong: Ericka Randazzo
'Being a Husky teaches you how to be a better person – not just on campus, but for the rest of your life,' says Randazzo, a student in the Special Program in Medicine as well as an athlete on the Women's Track team.
Student-Athlete Strong: Scott Levene
The goalkeeper for Men's Soccer, who says he dreamed of being a UConn Husky since he was 5 years old, excels in the classroom as well as on the field.
UConn Football Profile: Luke Carrezola
Meet junior defensive end Luke Carrezola of Langhorne, Pa., who is in his second year as a starter for the Huskies. The video is part of a series of UConn Football profiles.
Student-Athlete Strong: Kennedy Meier
The Husky swimmer and Babbidge Scholar says one of the biggest challenges student-athletes face is keeping up with academic work while traveling.
Student-Athlete Strong: Greg Baliko
The Academic All-American swimmer says learning to balance the demands of a varsity sport with a full class load has to start during freshman year.
Student-Athlete Strong: Ryan Radue
To baseball pitcher Ryan Radue, whose team supported him through cancer treatment, being a Husky means being part of a tight-knit family.
Student-Athlete Strong: Morgan Tuck
For women's basketball forward and business student Morgan Tuck, being a Husky means being great in basketball, life, and school.
Student-Athlete Strong: Nnamdi Amilo
Men's basketball forward and pre-med student Nnamdi Amilo says the lessons he’s learned as a Husky will help him well beyond his time at UConn.
Student-Athlete Strong: Kyle Huson
For ice hockey player Kyle Huson, to be a Husky is to be part of an outstanding athletic and academic tradition.
Student-Athlete Strong: Margaret Zimmer
Zimmer, a member of the Women's Ice Hockey team, says UConn Athletics creates a culture that values the 'student' half of student-athlete.
Student-Athlete Strong: Laura Webster
Webster is earning two degrees – in psychology and business – as well as competing on the rowing team.
Student-Athlete Strong: Istvan Kanyo
For Istvan Kanyo, Honors student, soccer player, and aspiring orthopedist, being a Husky means taking pride in all aspects of life.
Student-Athlete Strong: Anna Middendorf
The field hockey midfielder from Germany says UConn Athletics has an excellent academic support system.
Student-Athlete Strong: Wyatt Million
Track and cross country athlete Wyatt Million says he holds himself to high standards both in running and in school.
Student-Athlete Strong: Emily Armstrong
'Being a Husky means taking the competitive edge acquired on the field and bringing it into the classroom.' – Emily Armstrong '16 (ED)