Sarah Gorder

“I chose Carthage for a few reasons. It is a good distance from my house, so I’m able to travel back and forth if needed, and my family can come to my games. I really felt a smaller campus was a good fit for me, especially Carthage because of its smaller class sizes, allowing me to connect with my professors on a more personal basis. I loved the facilities as well as the campus being right on the lake. Lastly, I felt Carthage offered a lot of the things I was looking for — not only as an athlete, but as a student as well.”

“To me, being a Firebird means having pride in my community, committing to excellence in athletics and education, and discovering who I am as a person. There is a tight-knit community here — not only among students, but with members of the surrounding area as well. We host many events that involve our community and support the greater good of Kenosha.”

“I feel that everyone here, whether in athletics or the classroom, is encouraged to reach their full potential. Our professors and staff push students to strive for greatness, which helps us be more engaged and eager about our future beyond Carthage. Because it is a smaller campus, it is not uncommon to know professors, faculty, and coaches personally. They guide us as students inside the classroom, and they help us find our voice and discover what matters most to us.”

“My favorite memory with my team was when we traveled to Boston during preseason. We were able to explore Boston and played games against two schools. The whole experience brought us closer together as a team and fostered really good, unforgettable memories. It was a really cool way to build connections and friendships outside of our regular atmosphere.”

“For me, balancing life as a student and an athlete takes discipline, time management, and a strong sense of commitment. I make sure to stay organized by having a schedule, prioritizing both my academic work and training sessions. Time management is essential for being able to balance the two. It’s not always easy, but staying motivated and remembering my goals helps me push through the challenges and succeed.”

“Coach Chelsea Davis and Coach Chloe Fournier make team culture a priority and make sure we have a good atmosphere for training, helping us build community within the team. They both go the extra mile beyond soccer to make sure that all of us are doing good in our personal lives as well. As for professors, I would not have been able to succeed without them. All of my professors have been so helpful, especially during the season. They are very understanding of whatever may come up, which has been crucial and is something I am always grateful for.”

“Carthage also does other big things to support student-athletes, such as the Support the Sport events, preseason meals, and meals for early departures. Support the Sport events highlight select home games on each team’s schedule and let students know when and where to show up. These events help generate more support for the team during their game, and it’s a lot of fun to see students, teams, coaches, and staff come together in support of Carthage Athletics! During preseason, each athlete is given three meals a day, whether they live on campus or not. When teams have early morning departure for games, the cafeteria also provides boxed breakfasts for the athletes to pick up before the bus leaves.”

“My biggest accomplishment at Carthage so far is my internship with Carthage Athletics. I worked with The Aspire Center, Professor Mark White, and Professor Carter Rockhill to create the internship. We formulated plans, created guidelines, and outlined what I could learn. I get to help out on game days for a lot of our sports teams and learn what happens behind closed doors to help our athletes have a smooth day when we host events. One of the projects I am working on for the internship is a partnership between Carthage Athletics and the Kenosha Boys & Girls Club. The partnership will allow our student-athletes to host sports camps to teach kids about different sports. In addition to it being a paid internship, I am also getting school credit for it. ”

“My favorite athletic facility is definitely Art Keller Field. I practice and play on the field, but so much more happens. On that field, I have formed life-long bonds with people who were once complete strangers to me. There is no greater feeling than hearing the ringing of the bell after a home game win on Art Keller Field.”

“In addition to my internship, I work in the athletic training room. I help set up and clean the facility on game days, make sure everything is stocked with the necessary equipment, work with athletic trainers, and provide all of our athletes with water. It’s helped me learn problem-solving skills and the importance of communication between staff members. I am also a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success. We host meetings and events, attend webinars that teach us ways to improve as leaders, and hear stories from others about personal experiences and how they’ve dealt with adversity.”

“As someone who wants a career involving sports, being a student-athlete has given me first-hand experience with the inner workings of sports, from team dynamics to game day operations. I’ve learned how to communicate effectively, lead under pressure, and manage my time, which are all essential skills in the sports industry. Understanding the athlete’s perspective also gives me a unique advantage in managing teams, events, or organizations because I know what goes on behind the scenes.”

“My advice to students considering competing at the college level is to work hard but also allow yourself to have fun. College athletics can be very stressful physically and mentally, so allow yourself to enjoy time off the field with friends. Make sure to also stay on top of your academics because school always comes first. Lastly, surround yourself with a good support system — don’t be afraid to ask for help.”